Mazda CX-5 transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
170 of the 1,743 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda CX-5 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (51), 2018 (42), 2019 (32). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Mazda CX-5 transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 3 | 11% | — | 15 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 20 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 5 | 8% | — | 25 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 17 | 12% | — | 39 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% | — | 45 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 32 | 12% | — | 56 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 42 | 12% | — | 65 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2017 | 11 | 7% | — | 52 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 51 | 10% | 5k | 62 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 11 · 2016: 16 · 2017: 5 · 2018: 8 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 13 · 2024: 25 · 2025: 27 · 2026: 24
Across the model years, half of the 62 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 2,000 and 24,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Bought 2016 Cx-5 mid-sept, then started experiencing 5-second lags after shifting into drive in late dec (approx 4,000 miles on vehicle). The car would hesitate and jerk, as if it had been in neutral, despite pressing down accelerator gently or fully.
I have a 2016 Mazda Cx-5 grand touring automatic transmission. I bought it 9/28/15. Yesterday (12/9/15) with only 4500 miles on it, I started having problems with the transmission. Reverse was ok, but it was having difficulty engaging in drive. It felt like it was in neutral and wouldn't move.
Smelled smoke (burnt oil) for over a year. Dealer could not address. Finally found that the cylinder heads had cracked and required replacement at $7500. Car was only 51K miles
I purchased my CX-5 from Mazda dealership when new. The vehicle has been having coolant issues where the Electronically controlled thermostatic valve (ECTV) will open prematurely at 120°F instead of at higher temperatures.
The vehicle starting stalling, check engine light would come on, and the vehicle would slipped into “limp mode” while traveling on the freeway. I was amount in two auto collisions because of the vehicle slowing down in the middle of the highway.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 19V497000 HighJun 27, 2019 · 262,220 vehicles
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- May 1, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto tensioner fully operates under both high ambient temperat
- Apr 21, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Servic
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Mazda CX-5
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Mazda CX-5 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Mazda CX-5 years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 51; 2018, 42; 2019, 32. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (12%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Mazda CX-5?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 19V497000 (2018). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Mazda CX-5?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 4,500 miles across the model years; half of them between 2,000 and 24,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.