First generation (KE)
2015 Mazda CX-5
The most reported problem on the 2015 Mazda CX-5 is brake wear, with 12 complaints, usually around 51,000 miles.
- 123owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 11involved a crash
- 38,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 10, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2015 Mazda CX-5 has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2015 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
The 2015 Mazda CX-5 has 123 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 314 for 2015 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 CX-5 model years since 2014, it has the 7th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2015 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Two problems run close. Brake wear has 12 complaints and windshield has 11, out of 123 in all. A quarter of the 9 owners who gave a mileage for brake wear saw it by about 28,000 miles, and half by about 51,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 14 of the 123 complaints (11%) report a crash, a fire or an injury. The typical vehicle on this site sits at 6%, so this one runs well above it. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 11 reports mention a crash and 7 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 11, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 4 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2017 at 30 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 3. None has come in so far in 2026. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 12 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
123 complaints is 2.3 times fewer than the median 2015 model on this site and 2.6 times fewer than the median 2015 SUV. Among the 9 CX-5 model years here it ranks 7th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2015 Mazda CX-5
Mazda filed 602 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2015 Mazda CX-5. 51 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 5 bulletins · 12 complaints
Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better ...
Front Brake Noise Symptom 1: Some vehicles may exhibit a click noise when first moving forward or reverse from a stop OR when first applying the brakes while moving forward at slow speeds.
3 more on this problem
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak noise from the rear brakes while braking lightly. The squeak noise may occur more frequently when driving at slow speeds. The noise is caused by poor contact between the guide plate and the mounting support.
Some customers may report a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle. This concern will most likely occur during the vehicles first forward movement after starting the engine.
IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SMART CITY BRAKE SUPPORT (SCBS) MAY OPERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE OWNER'S MANUAL PROVIDES 7 EXAMPLES: OBJECTS ON THE ROAD AT THE ENTRANCE TO A CURVE.VEHICLES PASSING IN THE OPPOSITE LANE WHILE MAKING A CURVE.METAL OBJECTS, BUMPS, OR ...
Windshield cracks or distorts 8 bulletins · 11 complaints
DESCRIPTION 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) ...
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
6 more on this problem
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building. This may be caused by the suns reflection.
Some vehicles may exhibit the cushion tape (1) attached to the front end of dashboard coming off and showing at the base of the windshield.
Some vehicles may experience a rattle noise from the front door glass when driving with the window open approx. 1/2 to 4 inches (1 - 10 cm). The rattle noise may be caused by insufficient holding force of the glass run channel.
CAUTION: DO NOT attempt any repair of the windshield damaged by stone chipping/cracks at the area in front of the Forward Sensing Camera (FSC) and Laser Sensor. Replace the windshield with a new one instead.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION FROM THE DRIVER-SIDE POWER DOOR MIRROR GLASS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 3 bulletins · 7 complaints
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three primary categories: Noise, Vibration, or Harshness.
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak noise from the right front driveshaft at the automatic transaxle when driving. This concern is likely to occur when driving at speeds between 37-50 mph (60-80 km/h) with the ATF at normal operating temperature.
1 more on this problem
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak noise from the right front driveshaft at the transaxle when driving. This concern is likely to occur when driving at speeds between 37-50 mph (60-80 km/h) with the ATF at normal operating temperature.
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 12 bulletins · 7 complaints
Some automotive cleaning products contain strong acid or alkali. When these types of cleaners are used to clean the wheels on Mazda vehicles, the chemicals contents penetrate the clear coating of the wheel surface and damage the paint under the clear coating.
Some vehicles may experience the TCS/DSC indicator light and the TPMS warning light both ON with DTC C0051:62 stored in memory.
10 more on this problem
Some vehicles may exhibit an unusual noise (clacking) from under the front of the vehicle. This noise only occurs when starting to move the vehicle while the steering wheel is fully turned to the driver-side (left side for LHD vehicle and right side for RHD ...
This service bulletin illustrates the conditions when a TPMS warning light may illuminate, why it illuminated and how to properly initialize the system.The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) monitors the tire pressure of all four tires indirectly using ...
Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3° even when driving straight on a flat road.
Customer complaints have been reported where the TPMS warning light is unnecessarily illuminated because the TPMS initialization was not performed correctly before customer delivery.TPMS INITIALIZATION PROCESS: When any of the services below is performed, BE ...
Some vehicles may exhibit wear/peel-off of the leather steering wheel surface causing a poor appearance. This concern may be caused by an insufficient wear resistance of the steering wheel surface.
Vibration felt through floor/seat/steering wheel at approx. 25-30 MPH. The bibration may be caused by wear on the inner surface of the tripod joint case (inner side of front drive shaft).
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHATTERING / RATTLING TYPE NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE MAY BE CAUSED BY A REAR DIFFERENTIAL BEARING FAILURE.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A GROAN TYPE NOISE FROM THE FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED OR WHEN CORNERING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY FRONT WHEEL HUB BEARING CORROSION.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL THUMPING NOISE FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS NOISE ONLY OCCURS WHEN STARTING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE FULL LEFT POSITION.
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER MORE THAN 3° EVEN WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A FLAT ROAD. FOLLOW STEERING WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 2 bulletins · 6 complaints
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 ...
Some customers may expierience one or more of the following: ¯· intermittent no start ¯· engine stall ¯· many DTC's stored ¯· no communication with the PCM. This may be caused by a poor C-11 or C-12 electrical connection.
Seat belt or seat problems 10 bulletins · 6 complaints
At PDI or when new vehicle is delivered, some customers may complain about wrinkles on the leather seat cushion and/or seat back surface.
Some vehicles may exhibit excessive operating noise when sliding the driver and/or passenger power seat(s) back and forth. The noise may be caused by cable vibration, which transmits power from the motor to the gears.
8 more on this problem
Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative driver and/or front passenger side seat warmer(s) in any mode (High, Mid and Low). This may be caused by repeated load applied to the seat cushion (1) while the seat isoccupied.
At PDI or when new vehicle is delivered, some customers may complain about wrinkles on the leather seat cushion and/or seat back surface.
Some vehicles may have a condition where the front of the drivers seat cushion trim comes off the seat frame (as shown below). This is found on vehicles equipped with power seats and leather, leatherette or cloth type seat trim.
Some vehicles may exhibit the driver and/or front passenger side seat warmer(s) malfunction on any mode (High, Mid and Low). This may be caused by repeated load applied to the seat cushion (A) while the seat is occupied.
Some vehicles (without power seats) may exhibit a driver seat that gradually moves down by itself. This concern may be caused when a load, which is applied to the seat during braking, exceeds a certain level that could impact the retaining mechanism of the ...
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 40:20:40 SPLIT TYPE REAR SEAT MAY BE UNABLE TO LOWER THE REAR SEATBACK (A) WHEN PULLING THE LEFT (B) AND/OR RIGHT (C) REMOTE HANDLES.
FRONT POWER SEATS DO NOT SLIDE BACK AND FORTH. SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE FRONT POWER (DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER) SEATS DO NOT SLIDE BACK AND FORTH PROPERLY OR THAT THEY MAY BE COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INOPERATIVE SEAT WARMER (OR SEAT HEATER) ON THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN WEIGHT IS APPLIED TO THE SEAT, PART OF THE HEATER ELEMENT WIRE MAY COME OUT OF POSITION AND BECOME BENT.
Airbag warning light or recall 1 bulletin · 5 complaints
This information is provided to help address Passenger Airbag Deactivation (PAD) Indicator illumination concerns during vehicle service.
Suspension noise, struts or alignment 10 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal.
Beginning with the CX-5, grip type front and rear stabilizer bushings have been incorporated for noise prevention purposes. If any type of grease or lubrication is applied to the bushings, it may create noise due to bushing slippage.
8 more on this problem
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the rear coil spring and/or the vehicle body sits lower in the rear. These symptoms may be caused by a broken rear coil spring at its lower side.
Some vehicles may exhibit a rattle noise from the rear of the vehicle while driving. The noise may be caused by a rear shock absorber mounting bracket that is heavily corroded and broken.
Some vehicles may exhibit a crack on the front shock absorber dust boot (1). This may be caused by the dust boot having insufficient resistance to the cold. The shape and material of the dust boot has been changed to improve its resistance to cold.
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving onrough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped.The noise may be due to: Upper front strut bearing (A) damage.
Some customers may complain of the poor appearance of the passenger and/or driver side A-pillar trim. The lower portion of the trim may become distorted (as shown below) due to high temperatures.
BEGINNING WITH THE CX-5 AND MAZDA6 MODELS, GRIP TYPE FRONT AND REAR STABILIZER BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN INCORPO-RATED FOR NOISE PREVENTION PURPOSES. IF ANY TYPE OF GREASE OR LUBRICATION IS APPLIED TO THE BUSHINGS, IT MAY CREATE NOISE DUE TO BUSHING SLIPPAGE.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHIRP/CLUNK TYPE NOISE FROM THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS (A) WHEN DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD OR PASSING OVER A SPEED BUMP. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE SHOCK ABSORBERS SHOW NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE.
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHIRP NOISE FROM THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS (A) WHEN DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD OR PASSING OVER A SPEED BUMP. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE SHOCK ABSORBERS SHOW NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE OR OIL LEAKAGE.
Complaints filed by year
30 complaints came in 2017. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2015 Mazda CX-5
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 301, "Fuel System Integrity."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 9216B.
Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington) is recalling certain replacement windshields, model FW04026 GTY, manufactured November 23, 2015, to December 16, 2015 for use in Mazda CX-5 vehicles that are equipped with the Smart City Brake Support system. The affected windshields have a bracket mounted on the inside to hold a laser sensor or LIDAR device for the Smart City Brake Support system. These brackets were improperly affixed with only tape instead of tape and urethane and therefore may loosen.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Pilkington will contact the wholesalers and retailers that purchased the windshields to try to identify the affected customers. The affected windshields will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began on February 15, 2016. Owners may contact Pilkington at 1-844-278-7230.
All 4 recalls on the 2015 Mazda CX-5, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2015 Mazda CX-5?
Brake wear, with 12 of the 123 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 51,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2015 Mazda CX-5 problems start?
Of the 83 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 11,000 miles and half by about 38,000.
How many 2015 Mazda CX-5 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
14 of them (11%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2015 Mazda CX-5?
No recall on file for the 2015 Mazda CX-5 is on the same system as brake wear. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.