Second generation (KF)
2020 Mazda CX-5
The most reported problem on the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is infotainment, with 39 complaints.
- 107owner complaints
- 0recalls
- 10involved a crash
- 29,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 27, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your CX-5 doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 has 107 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 233 for 2020 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 CX-5 model years since 2014, it has the 8th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- The 2020 is a low point between its neighbors: 15 complaints for each year on the road, where the 2019 has 34 and the 2021 has 24.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: infotainment, named in 39 of the 107 complaints (36%). Too few of the infotainment reports give a mileage to say when it starts.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 13 of the 107 complaints (12%) 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), 10 reports mention a crash and 6 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 6 of 10, fall under brake wear.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- There's no recall on file for this model year, so the problems above are owner complaints with no campaign behind them.
- When owners filed
- Complaints are still climbing. 2025 brought 31, the most of any year so far. So far in 2026, 14 more have come in.
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: infotainment, screen or backup camera fails, 39 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
107 complaints is 2.0 times fewer than the median 2020 model on this site and 2.2 times fewer than the median 2020 SUV. Among the 9 CX-5 model years here it ranks 8th 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 2020 Mazda CX-5
Mazda filed 447 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Mazda CX-5. 67 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 5 of those a warranty extension. 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.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 25 bulletins · 39 complaints
Some vehicles may have one of the following DTCs stored in memory along with a system status notice on the Multi-information display OR display a system status notice with no DTC: C1001:92 - Forward sensing camera (FSC) poor field of view [Gen 6 vehicles] ...
Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote function(s) inoperative.
23 more on this problem
Some vehicles may exhibit a partially missing image (shown in the circles below) from the Active Driving Display (ADD) on the front window and/or display.
Some customers may complain that the ambient temperature on the instrument cluster is displayed more than 50 °F (10 °C) lower than the actual temperature, resulting in insufficient performance of the air conditioning.
Some customers may complain about infotainment center display. Peeling, spider cracks and white dots.
Some customers may complain about color discrepancies (brightness differences) of the image displayed on the screen when using the 360°view monitor. As this phenomenon is not a system failure, do not make any repairs or replace any parts.
Some customers may experience any of the following: Engine no start due to battery discharge Ignition cannot be turned OFF Infotainment remains ON after the ignition is turned OFF Infotainment display is blank Commander switch is inoperative Remote ...
Some customers may complain about infotainment center display: - Ghost Touch - DTC B108E:04 may be stored (Touch screen operates by itself) - Surface Peeling - DTC B108E:04 may be stored - Spider Cracks - White dots IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT replace the ...
Some vehicles may experience the symptoms mentioned below, which can be fixed with the latest software update (Version 74.00.324 or later). The system performance has been improved as follows: Ver.
Some vehicles may exhibit the following malfunctions: - The film on the center display is peeling off, as shown in the illustration below. This may be caused by cleaning the center display surface.
Some vehicles may exhibit either or both of the following symptoms. 1. The SCBS warning light is illuminated with DTC U045A:68 [FORWARD SENSING CAMERA (FSC)]. U045A:68 Error signal received from parking assist unit 2.
Some customers may complain about the following message displayed in the Multi-Information Display: In the following cases, the MRCC with Stop & Go function system is canceled when the vehicle is traveling at 19 mph (30 km/h) or less: * The Forward Sensing ...
Plus 13 older ones not listed here.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 6 bulletins · 14 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.
4 more on this problem
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak noise from the rear brakes while braking lightly and occurs more frequently when driving at slow speeds. The noise is caused by poor contact between the guide plate and the mounting support.
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 vehicles equipped with electric parking brake (EPB) may exhibit a grinding noise from the rear brakes when braking. This may be caused by the rear brake pads not having the capability to remove the rust from the rear brake discs.
Some vehicles may exhibit grooves (1) in rear brake disc plate(s), as shown below. This concern is mostly found on new or low mileage vehicles, when the brakes are new.
Battery dies or the car will not start 10 bulletins · 6 complaints
This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before ...
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 installed.
8 more on this problem
Key Transmitter Power Saving Function: When the key transmitter Power Saving Function is turned ON, transmitter battery power consumption is restricted, thereby extending the transmitter battery life and the following will occur: The engine will not start ...
Some vehicles may experience the seat ventilation system still on after the engine has been turned off, in some cases this causes the battery to be completely discharged and not rechargeable.
Some customers may experience the airbag warning light ON with DTC B00A0:09 stored in the SAS control module memory when the battery voltage is low. DTC B00A0:09 (Occupant classification sensor internal signal output unstable).
Some vehicles may experience the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON with DTC P2610 and P2507 stored in memory after engine start and room fuse 15A (A) removed. P2610:00: Instrument cluster internal engine off timer performance problem.
ENGINE NO START DUE TO LOW BATTERY VOLTAGE. This Service Alert has been replaced by SSPC2 - 2020 CX-5 AND 2020 CX-9 POWER LIFTGATE (PLG) CONTROL UNIT CONCERN
Some customers may experience an engine no start due to low battery voltage. Mazda is aware of the issue and is working on a solution. NOTE: Battery parasitic draw is intermittent.
Some customers may complain about: ¯· Intermittent engine no start ¯· Instrument cluster red security indicator light ON ¯· Engine Start/Start Button Amber indicator light flashing ¯· Battery discharge ¯· Electrical relay buzzing noise ¯· DTC B13D3:94 ...
On the 2019 Mazda3 (BP) and and all 2020 Mazda vehicles (except CX-3), the CR2032 button cell battery is required for the new type remote transmitter.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 1 bulletin · 5 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 ...
Check engine light or misfire 20 bulletins · 5 complaints
Subject: 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 ...
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.
18 more on this problem
Some vehicles may display some (or all) of the following symptoms: • Check engine light on with DTC P061B • Light increase in engine rpms during acceleration • Transmission will not shift past 4th gear • Various U codes (U0401 ABS, U0401, U0415 FSC, U0301, ...
SSPD8 - Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00 - WARRANTY EXTENSION For certain 2018-2025MY CX-5, 2019-2023MY Mazda3, 2019-2022MY CX-3, 2018-2021MY Mazda6, 2020-2023MY CX-30 that are equipped with the suspected coolant control valve, the warranty coverage ...
SSPD8 - SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION MULTI-MODEL - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH DTC P0126:00.Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Special Service Program (SSP) to extend the warranty coverage for a specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat in the coolant control valve on certain ...
Some vehicles may experience an engine no start/no crank with either of the following DTC's stored: P0615:12 - Starter relay circuit malfunction B112A:12 - IG2 relay circuit malfunction This may be caused by water contamination/corrosion at electrical ...
Some vehicles may have coolant leaks at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold (as shown below). There may be cracks at the stud bolt hole (1) or at the outside of the exhaust manifold flange (2) on the cylinder head.
On certain subject vehicles, the check engine light is illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0126, due to the fail-safe thermostat being stuck open. Additionally, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: -Engine takes longer to warm up.
Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Customer Service Program (CSP11) to extend the limited powertrain warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, for necessary repairs if the covered vehicle has coolant leaks at the cylinder ...
Some vehicles may have the check engine light on with DTC P0524:00 or P055F:00 stored in memory. Contamination in the engine oil may cause the engine oil solenoid valve to become stuck, resulting in improper operation of the oil pump and improper oil pressure.
Some customers may experience the check engine light ON with DTC P0126:00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: The engine takes longer to warm up The engine temperature gauge fluctuates The low coolant temperature indicator ...
Some customers may complain about a poor acceleration and rough idling or the CHECK ENGINE light ON with DTC P0301:00, P0302:00, P0303:00, P0304:00.NOTE: Only turbo engines are applicable; non-turbo engines are NOT applicable.
Plus 8 older ones not listed here.
Airbag warning light or recall 2 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some customers may experience the airbag warning light ON with DTC B00A0:09 stored in the SAS control module memory when the battery voltage is low.
Some customers may complain that the passenger seat belt warning light is ON and the PASS AIRBAG OFF indicator light is OFF with no front passenger in the seat. This may be caused by an electrical device (smart phone, tablet, laptop.
Engine leaks oil 3 bulletins · 5 complaints
Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a fluid or oil leak and use the following examples as a guide to determine if it is ...
Some vehicles may exhibit oil seepage or oil leak onto the engine front cover, which becomes more apparent with dust adhesion.
1 more on this problem
GUIDE LINES AND PHOTOS TO DETERMINE IF FLUID/OIL SEEPAGE OR LEAK IS SEVERE ENOUGH TO REQUIRE WARRANTY REPAIR OR TO CLEAN AND MONITOR. Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a fluid or oil leak and use the following examples as a guide to determine if it is ...
Complaints filed by year
31 complaints came in 2025. 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 2020 Mazda CX-5
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
No recalls on file for this model year.
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Mazda CX-5?
Infotainment, with 39 of the 107 complaints.
At what mileage do 2020 Mazda CX-5 problems start?
Of the 34 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 4,000 miles and half by about 29,000.
Is the 2020 Mazda CX-5 better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has fewer complaints than both the 2019 and the 2021: 15 a year against 34 and 24.
How many 2020 Mazda CX-5 complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
13 of them (12%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for infotainment on the 2020 Mazda CX-5?
No recall on file for the 2020 Mazda CX-5 is on the same system as infotainment. Another recall may still cover your car, so check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.