Best and worst years for mazda cx 5

The Mazda CX-5 is a popular choice on the roads for performance and style without compromising on the interior comforts. You may seem to be getting a fantastic deal on the surface with this affordable sporty number, but the Mazda CX-5 is considered a hit-or-miss vehicle.

As a popular family car, it’s no surprise so many people want to know the Mazda CX-5 years to avoid. The years with the most commonly reported faults fall between the years 2014-2018. 

Although some years of the Mazda CX-5 have high safety scores and stand out from the rest, there are some Mazda CX-5 years to avoid that have scary faults such as shattering windshields, interior faults, dodgy suspensions, and premature brake failure. 

Let’s keep looking to see what causes the four most common faults on the Mazda CX-5 and the years to avoid purchasing to get the best deal possible. 

Mazda CX-5 Years to Avoid

The Mazda CX-5 has been available since 2012 and has proven popular in its class, but this SUV also includes a range of common faults and problems that have left some models classed as Mazda CX-5 years to avoid. 

These faults range from annoying to highly dangerous, so if you want to get yourself a Mazda CX-5 then make sure you keep reading to find out more about these common faults and when to avoid these certain models.

2014 Model Year

The 2014 Mazda CX-5 was highly anticipated after the popularity of its 2013 entry into the market, and this affordable compact SUV offered impressive fuel economy, a simple but effective cabin space, and responsive steering which appealed to many on the search for a compact family SUV.

The CX-5 has a real attraction with a range of trim levels and powerful engine configurations that pair wonderfully with its smooth shifting transmission.

You can find the 2014 Mazda CX-5 in Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim levels with the more luxurious models featuring voice recognition infotainment systems, additional speakers, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and larger engines. The full range includes,

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder / 155 horsepower/ 150lb-ft torque
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder / 184 horsepower/ 185lb-ft torque

Sadly, even with the appealing engine variety and popularity, there was a range of faults faced by users from as little as 17,000 miles on the clock. The most concerning was the engine completely shutting down without warning which caused major safety concerns and required immediate inspection.

This engine shutdown still hasn’t had an official release from Mazda on how to rectify these dangerous concerns, but if you do own one of these Mazda CX-5 years to avoid then make sure you are aware of the signs and symptoms so you’re safe on the roads.

2015 Model Year

2015 saw a range of new additions that created a high-performance vehicle with strong engines, improved fuel economy to previous years and fancy upgrades such as the keyless entry on the Touring and Grand Touring trim levels. 

The AWD and FWD configurations were popular, but the sluggish base engine wasn’t the most ideal choice for many.

The 2015 Mazda CX-5 is classed as one of the worst years for consumer complaints, and even in the higher trim levels from the Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring range you can’t escape the possibility of some faults. 

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder / 155 horsepower/ 150lb-ft torque
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder / 184 horsepower/ 185lb-ft torque

Many drivers of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 found that their windshield tends to shatter or smash without any trigger. Some owners reported that their glass would shatter whilst driving which poses a serious health and safety risk, especially when you’re on the highway. 

A crack or chip is more than just a cosmetic issue as the Mazda CX-5 years to avoid has shown that this manufacturer’s issue has created a large range of issues. With dents or impacts a real cause for concern.

2016 Model Year

In 2016 the Mazda CX-5 got a welcomed number of upgrades including safety perks such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, new infotainment systems, and an appealing upgrade to the interior and exterior styling.

However, amongst these new upgrades came daytime running lights that lead to 2016 becoming one of the biggest Mazda CX-5 years to avoid. As usual, it came in the standard Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim levels with the same engine options too.

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder / 155 horsepower/ 150lb-ft torque
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder / 184 horsepower/ 185lb-ft torque

From just a quick search you can see that the 2016 Mazda CX-5 is well worth staying away from as it has the highest number of complaints across all the Mazda Cx-5 years to avoid due to the external lights, damaged windshields, and brake wear.

At around 43,000 miles many owners reported that their daytime lights faced failure which although not catastrophic, is still frustrating.

Something that has been reported numerous times for severe complaints is premature brake wear at just 25,000 miles and damaged windshields by around 18,000 miles. 

For such a new vehicle you wouldn’t expect such a high level of serious faults and this has resulted in 5 safety recalls surrounding the exterior headlights, steering, structure, fuel system, and windshield.

2018 Model Year

Our final Mazda CX-5 year to avoid is the recent 2018 model that featured a luxurious and roomy interior with blind spot monitoring as standard across all trims.

Its handling and fuel economy was a big selling point and led the 2018 CX-5 to a popular start, however, the complaints came in thick and fast.

The 2018 Mazda CX-5 yet again came with the same three trim levels Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring however the more features and technology available just seemed to leave more room for disappointment. 

Mazda only offered a singular engine option for this year, the 2.5L 16-Valve 4-Cylinder Engine provided 187 horsepower / 186 pound-feet of torque. However, the cylinder was commonly reported to be deformed and as a result of oil loss, a faulty check engine light arose.

The engine sounded promising, but some users of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 found flawed acceleration and a lack of power resulting in an engine reset needed to achieve the power it once had. 

Mazda CX-5 Years to Avoid: Common Faults

As we’ve just seen through the flawed years of the Mazda CX-5, sadly several repetitive issues were never fixed through production as they may have taken some time to come to the surface. These issues go far beyond teething troubles, and like all cars, it’s not been perfect.

The issues vary from the interior to the working parts and even the windscreen so make sure you check all these areas before considering purchasing one of the Mazda CX-5 years to avoid.

Windshield Shattering

You might have heard about Mazda windscreens and their lack of reliability, and sadly this was the case for the CX-5 as it posed dangerous risks to drivers and passengers alike as the possibility of a shattering windscreen could cause serious harm.

There have been no statements from Mazda regarding these faults, but you must do your safety checks. Even the smallest piece of debris hitting your windshield could result in dents, cracks, and ultimately, shattering.

Suspension Problems

The build of this SUV suggests the ability to handle all terrains and feel no discomfort.

Many users who don’t have one of the Mazda Cx-5 years to avoid are impressed with the smooth and comfortable ride they get from their vehicle, but suspension faults are another common issue.

Some of these suspension faults stated a repetitive squeaking or creak that ruined the quiet driving experience this vehicle is known for, whereas others have experienced severe sagging, bouncing, or total failure which has resulted in expensive repair costs averaging $2000.

Brake Problems

As we saw in the premature brake wear at just 25,000 miles in the 2016 models, this vehicle has faced frustrating issues surrounding the brake systems, specifically the rotors and pad

Persistent problems or lack of braking response should be immediately assessed and repaired by a mechanic to ensure you maintain full function and can stop the vehicle as soon as required. 

Transmission Problems

Finally, the transmission of the Mazda CX-5 has had complaints over the years for several reasons including;

• Jerky shifting
• Shifting delays
• Transmission failure

As we’ve seen across the years, the CX-5 had the same options for engine and transmission across the years and it caused a repetitive issue arising with the safety and function of the transmission.

Although these issues are not highly reported, you should still be aware of what to look out for to make sure you don’t end up with one of the Mazda CX-5 years to avoid and a high repair bill. 

FAQs

Is the Mazda CX-5 a Reliable Car?

The newer models of the Mazda CX-5 are highly reliable and popular family cars with a great range of safety features and a low annual repair cost.

What Is the Lifespan of a Mazda CX-5?

With the correct care and maintenance, the Mazda CX-5 can achieve 200,000-250,000 miles before it is no longer viable to maintain and drive. 

Is Mazda More Reliable Than Toyota?

Although a lot of it is down to personal taste, Mazda is considered one of the most reliable car brands in the USA based on 2020 surveys.

Does Mazda CX-5 Require Premium Gas?

Regardless of engine choices and configurations, the Mazda CX-5 only needs 87 octane gasoline to operate.

Conclusion

Compared to other vehicles on the market, the Mazda CX-5 years to avoid are a lot less hazardous and should still be considered a respectable car if you are in the market for a compact family SUV.

The Mazda CX-5 years to avoid 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 have their issues, but luckily if you follow our guide then you will know what to look out for when it comes to buying your own and avoiding any expensive mistakes.

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