AI Damage2020 Mazda CX-5: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 filed 107 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 433 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 107
- involving a crash
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 433
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 28% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 30 complaints (28% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 117.
- Engine: 17 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 51.
- Service brakes: 14 complaints (13% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Forward collision avoidance: 12 complaints (11% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Powertrain: 8 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: 4WD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 107 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 30 | 1 | 117 |
| Engine | 17 | 0 | 51 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 6 | 27 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 3 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 8 | 0 | 38 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 | 40 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 16 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
In addition to throwing me forward against my seatbelt, it also resulted in the car behind me rear-ending me. I did not hit the car ahead of me, since I was far enough behind them BEFORE the smart brake support engaged, but the feature caused an accident that could have been avoided.
The vehicle accelerated on its own, while I was parking. My foot was on the brake when the vehicle just took off. It continued to accelerate until a building stopped it. I continued to brake but the vehicle did not stop.
The rear camera and warning system has failed numerous times. On one occasion I hit a vehicle because of the failure. Also, the windshield has a leak that sometimes is like a waterfall causing serious visibility problems.
I disengaged the adaptive cruise control by tapping on the break. I began coasting to a stop, suddenly the car began accelerating again with no warning. I was forced to make the turn with the propane truck and side swiped the truck in the process.
Airbags did not deploy when I crashed into a guard rail dragging for 40-50 feet.
Several malfunction lights flashed including "power steering malfunction", "smart city brake support malfunction". Repeatedly slammed on the brake pedal and it did not move at all. Tried to swerve to avoid a vehicle but the steering was unresponsive. Impacted a vehicle at a red light.
Bought a mazda cx5 june 2020 and it was involve in a accident sept 17th 2020 do to brake failure. My mother was driving the vehicle and attempted parking in a apartment complex when the vehicle failed to stop and collided with the facility 20ft in front of the parking space.
The infotainment display screen on my 2020 Mazda CX-5 has suffered a severe hardware failure resulting in un-commanded inputs, commonly known as "ghost touching." While driving at highway speeds, the touchscreen constantly registers phantom touches.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 549 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 26% most complained about).
On average one model year of the CX-5 has 126 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 107, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been…
- Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2)
This is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fitting during the manufacturing process. The accumulated coolant is solidified and plugs the gap in high temperature environment and the seepage is…
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a…
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a…
- 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. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not…
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly…
- Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair
A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor…
- Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill
The concern will likely occur if the fuel tank is overfilled (more fuel is added after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off automatically) or filled up normally in high ambient temperatures and the fuel expands. No repair is…
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
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…
- TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update
INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00, 2018-2025 CX-5, 2019-2023 Mazda3, 2019-2022 CX-3, 2018-2021 Mazda6, 2020-2023 CX-30 Dear Mazda Dealer…
- There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very…
There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This Service Alert is to inform you about the water pump sealing mechanism…
- Some customers may experience a check engine light ON with DTC P0126
00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: Engine takes longer to warm up. Engine temperature gauge fluctuates. Low coolant temperature indicator (blue) light stays on longer or turns on…
NHTSA lists 433 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Mazda CX-5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 107. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (31%), warning lights, check engine (15%), oil leak or consumption (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA lists 433 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Mazda CX-5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.