How soon are you looking to buy a Mazda CX-5?

Within a week

Within a month

Within 90 days

*This will help us personalize your experience.

Great News: We found some top-ranked Mazda CX-5s near you

See Listings Now

Which Years Of Used Mazda CX-5s Are Most Reliable?


in Reliability

We've rounded up seven of the most reliable Mazda CX-5 years. See which ones (and which CX-5 years are considered least reliable) so you can choose a dependable vehicle.

Mazda CX-5 on the road
Source: Pixabay

The Mazda CX-5 is a more recent Mazda addition to the market, making its first appearance in 2013. Since that year, it’s become one of the best in its category. It’s a sleek-looking crossover with modern look drivers adore. If you’re interested in a used version of this vehicle, you might wonder - what is the most reliable year for the Mazda CX-5?

Most people buy cars used to save money. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, it’s vital to get the most reliable option. Read on to learn more about the most reliable year for the Mazda CX-5, the general reliability of the model across the years, the least reliable choices, and more to determine the ideal selection for your needs.

THE MAZDA CX-5 YEARS TO AVOID

At CoPilot, we want to ensure you end up with the right Mazda CX-5. Today’s article will highlight the Mazda CX-5 years to avoid.

Most Reliable Years For The CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 is a classier version of the crossover. They’re full of excellent safety features, room for cargo, and even two rows of seats for passengers. Although there is only a decade’s worth of used models on the market, it’s still tricky to find the most reliable options. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you.

Here are the top CX-5 years available, used:

  • 2013 Mazda CX-5
  • 2015 Mazda CX-5
  • 2017 Mazda CX-5
  • 2018 Mazda CX-5
  • 2019 Mazda CX-5
  • 2020 Mazda CX-5
  • 2021 Mazda CX-5

Go with one of these if you want the most reliable year for the Mazda CX-5.

These selections have the fewest customer complaints online, especially when looking at yearly maintenance and repairs. The newer models also consider issues from older iterations and transform them, improving the design to make the ultimate crossover experience. Mazda did an excellent job designing these years for the CX-5.

If you purchase one of these years, you will get a reliable Mazda CX-5. However, they don’t speak for the average reliability of the model across all years.

BE CERTAIN YOU’RE GETTING THE BEST DEAL

CoPilot searches your area and lets you know if there’s a better deal on a similar vehicle nearby, so you’re always certain you got the best deal possible. The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. 

Are Mazda CX-5s Generally Reliable?

The Mazda CX-5 performs above average when looking at reliability. According to withclutch.com, the Mazda CX-5 scores 82.55, landing it in a very reliable spot. It’s by far the best-performing option in the Mazda category on this site, more than 20 points above the Mazda CX9.

A secondary source will confirm the reliability of the vehicle as a whole. According to repairpal.com, the Mazda CX-5 relieves a 4.5⁄5, which is very high in its category. The CX-5 ranks first out of 26 midsize SUVs.

The average annual cost to repair a Mazda CX-5 is $447, more than $100 lower than the average of $573 for similar midsize SUVs. If a repair is required, there is an 8% chance that it will be severe and expensive.

Those who drive the Mazda CX-5 report taking them to the shop for sudden repairs an average of .3 times a year. This number is .1 lower than the average for midsize SUVs of .4. If the repair is unexpected, the chances are high that they will not be severe. Overall, the Mazda CX-5 is very reliable. However, there are always some outliers.

Which CX-5 Years Are The Least Reliable?

It’s critical to make an intelligent choice when picking your Mazda CX-5. There are many excellent years, but a few stand out with the most customer complaints and pricey repairs. These won’t save you money in the end.

To get the most out of your investment, stay away from these CX-5 years:

  • 2014 Mazda CX-5
  • 2016 Mazda CX-5

These are far from the most reliable year for the Mazda CX-5.

There were some faults in these years. The 2014 version experienced issues such as engine problems, electrical issues, brake faults, and more. The 2016 option dealt with drivetrain troubles, engine problems, electrical issues, and more. These years warranted expensive repairs and were a waste of money for investors. Stay away from these years.

Although these two CX-5s are the worst, there are still some general issues that come up across the board. It’s helpful to know what troubles other buyers experienced to prepare ahead of time.

What Are The Most Common Issues With A Mazda CX-5?

One of the best ways to prepare for owning a certain model is to look at customer complaints. We noticed a few common issues with the Mazda CX-5 that appeared over many years/

The most common issues with the Mazda CX-5 include items like:

  • Windshield troubles: Mazda CX-5 owners have reported the sudden appearance of cracks in their windshields without apparent cause, which can be startling and expensive to repair.
  • Daytime running light issues: Some CX-5 models have experienced malfunctioning or failing daytime running lights, which can pose safety risks during low-light conditions and reduce road visibility.
  • Sudden engine failure: In some instances, CX-5 drivers have faced unexpected engine failure without any prior warning signs, resulting in potentially dangerous situations and costly repairs.
  • Vehicle shutdown problems: Owners of specific Mazda CX-5 model years have encountered difficulties in properly shutting off their vehicles, causing confusion and frustration when trying to turn off the engine.
  • Sunroof explosions: Perhaps one of the most alarming issues reported by CX-5 owners is the occurrence of sunroof glass unexpectedly shattering, sending fragments into the cabin and compromising the vehicle’s integrity while putting occupants at risk of injury from falling glass.

These will warrant an unexpected trip to the mechanic.

Issues like these are persistent across all Mazda CX-5 years. However, they are more likely to appear in the worst years for the vehicle.

We’ve talked about many aspects of reliability in the Mazda CX-5. Now - is it worth your hard-earned money?

THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET

Buying a used or CPO luxury car is one of the smartest buys you can make - you can get a lot of car for not much money. You can pick up a three-year-old luxury car for about half of what you’d pay new. Check out this list of the best used luxury cars on the market to find the best deals. 

Is The Mazda CX-5 Worth It?

If you want a reliable vehicle that provides excellent value for your money, the Mazda CX-5 is one of the best options on the market. Most of the years are highly reliable and won’t cost an excessive amount of money to keep on the road.

The Mazda CX-5 is well-known for its reliability, and for good reason. It’s a trustworthy vehicle with plenty of features users will love. Mazda has improved the CX-5 over the years and will continue to do so for the betterment of its customer experience.

THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000

We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten. 

Final Thoughts

The Mazda CX-5 is an excellent choice for a sleek, dependable compact crossover vehicle. There are more reliable selections than unreliable ones, and it’s at the top of its category. Mazda is an excellent brand and constantly makes reliability improvements on its cars.

We hope this information comes in handy! It might feel overwhelming to land on the most reliable year when selecting a CX-5, but most years are excellent choices in the used market. Keep your finances first when choosing a Mazda CX-5 by picking the most reliable selection for your money to save on repairs and other unexpected needs.

Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You

The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.

The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.

Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
trade-in