2021 MAZDA CX-5

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
🛡️Excellent Safety Record

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 stands out as a commendable choice for reliability, particularly highlighted by its absence of recalls. With several Technical Service Bulletins focused on common maintenance items, potential buyers can appreciate the vehicle's solid engineering and attention to detail.

Key Factor:Impressive safety record

📋Why This Matters

A clean slate of recalls is a significant accomplishment for any vehicle, especially in the competitive compact SUV market. For the 2021 Mazda CX-5, this achievement reflects the brand's commitment to manufacturing quality and safety, ensuring that owners benefit from a vehicle designed with reliability in mind. In an era where recalls are increasingly common, having none illustrates Mazda's engineering prowess during this model year.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Leak
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Better than avg (1.1)
    📝
    Summary: Overall, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 maintains a strong safety profile compared to peer vehicles in its class. Its lack of recalls indicates a positive trend in manufacturing quality, positioning it better than many contemporaries that have faced various issues during similar production periods.

Safety & Reliability Score

95/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-0
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 MAZDA CX-5

Model Year2021
MakeMAZDA
ModelCX-5
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
Jul22
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

23 complaints (23% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
18(18%)
🟡Medium
12(12%)
🟢Low
70(70%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

The peak failure range of 0-20k miles highlights that most concerns arise early in the ownership experience. Prospective buyers should be vigilant during this initial phase and verify that any potential issues were addressed promptly by previous owners to ensure long-term satisfaction.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 50 of 100 complaints (50% coverage)
0-20k
38 reports (76%)
20k-40k
9 reports (18%)
40k-60k
1 reports (2%)
60k-80k
1 reports (2%)
80k-100k
1 reports (2%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

General Mechanical

Issue: Common complaints related to brake noise and judder identified in TSBs.

Be proactive in addressing any brake-related noises or performance issues immediately to avoid more severe problems down the line.

🔍

Inquire about service history focusing on brake inspection records and ensure all TSB recommendations have been followed.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your MAZDA dealer to verify recall completion status.

No Recalls Found

🏆

Perfect Recall Status

2021 MAZDA CX-5

Exceptional News! As of February 2026, the 2021 MAZDA CX-5 has recorded 0 safety recalls.

Compared to other 2021 models which average multiple safety campaigns, this vehicle's clean sheet is a testament to its engineering integrity.

🛡️ Proactive Safety Maintenance Guide

Even with a perfect recall record, regular maintenance safeguards your vehicle's reliability. Our experts recommend monitoring these systems:

🔧
Brake System HealthInspect pads and fluid levels every 12,000 miles to ensure stopping power.
🔋
Electrical & BatteryTest battery load annually; modern electronics are sensitive to voltage drops.
👁️
Visibility ComponentsReplace wiper blades every 6-12 months and polish clouded headlights.
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Tire & Wheel CheckRotate tires every 5,000 miles and check TPMS sensors for accuracy.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

100 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 CX-5.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Leak23%
Burn16%
Warning15%
Check Engine Light9%
Acceleration Issues6%
Safety Systems🔵 Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION

My Mazda 2021 infotainment screen goes goes out usually when hit a bump and stays out until it sits awhile. Which when this happens there is no backup camera which is a safety issue. The Mazda dealership said it was the screen which they wanted $2900 just for the screen so I got one off eBay and it's still doing the same thing. Which I think its the CMU

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on about 1000 miles from last oil changed. Dealer fixed the Mazda recall code: P250F on July 30, 2025. Now is same issue of LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on again on November 19, 2025.

Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Radio audio randomly stopped working and you have to disconnect the negative or you have to leave the car off essentially all night. It’s definitely unknown issue there’s videos all over YouTube about it and there’s forms on read about it.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Important note for snowing conditions: The radar for adaptive cruise control is located in the front Mazda emblem. Snow buildup on the emblem can block the radar's signal and disable the adaptive cruise control system when driving. A heating element is necessary to prevent snow accumulation and maintain functionality.

Other🔵 Low
TIRES

We took our car to the Mazda dealership for routine maintenance. The technician found circumferential cracking along the sidewall/tread junction of all 4 tires. We were told that this suggests tread separation and that we should not continue to drive on the tires. We replaced all 4. I have pictures of all 4 tires.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the Front Brake System Malfunction, Forward Brake Malfunction, and Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking and hesitating as if the wheels would lock up. The steering wheel vibrated while turning to the left or the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was able to retrieve a diagnostic code; however, the DTC number was unknown. The dealer was unable to identify the exact cause of the code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Visibility🔵 Low
VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear back glass fractured without impact. The contact stated that the vehicle had just been parked for several minutes prior to the failure when the contact returned from a doctor's appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the failure had occurred four times since June 2023. In addition, the contact stated that the rear seat was covered with shattered glass. The contact was instructed by the insurance company to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Other🔵 Low
TIRES

The tires have lost tire pressure very often. The tires have gotten completely flat 2 times already and I’ve had to call my insurance. The tires are only 6 months old and have been flat 2nd already. 225/55R19 99V BSW ALL-SEASON TIRE

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
AIR BAGS

I was driving as normal and the passenger side airbags deployed with a cause. I was driving about 25mph. I didn’t hit anything; no event occurred that would have caused the air bag to deploy. I took the car to a dealer and they recorded the event log which showed a crash but the car clearly did not get into an accident.

Visibility🔵 Low
VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH in an intense rainstorm, the windshield became foggy. The contact activated the HVAC system to clear the windshield, but only hot air was coming from the vents. The contact stated that the hot air made the foggy windshield worse. The contact used a towel to wipe the inside of the windshield. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred during intense rainfall. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the 2021 Mazda CX-5 a reliable choice?

The combination of no recalls and several focused Technical Service Bulletins ensures that this model delivers considerable peace of mind. Buyers can trust that they are investing in an SUV with sound engineering practices, resulting in fewer mechanical issues typically seen in other models.

How should I assess the service history of a used 2021 Mazda CX-5?

It's essential to review the service records thoroughly for any work done related to brake systems or engine concerns outlined in TSBs. Make sure all maintenance recommendations have been adhered to, which can significantly affect your driving experience and long-term reliability.

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Your 2021 CX-5 currently shows zero open recalls. Maintain this status with scheduled preventive maintenance.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in MAZDA's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Obtain proof of recall completion for all 0 campaigns before purchase.
  • Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.