NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 133 owner complaints for the 2015 Mazda CX-5.
Recalled components: body structure, steering, and fuel system. Most-described problem: a cracked or shattered windshield (12 complaints, 9%). Most-reported area: body structure (27 complaints, 20%).
More complaints than a typical CX-5 year
The 2015 drew 76 owner complaints in its first three years, against 62 for a typical CX-5 year.
Years to avoid: 2014 and 2016; best years: 2017 and 2022. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 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 2013-2016CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 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: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015.
NHTSA listing: CX-5. Mazda campaign 9316D.
Fuel system
Feb 3, 2016
storage · tank assembly · filler pipe and cap
Fails federal standard 301 (fuel system integrity)
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: A rupture of the fuel filler pipe may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016.
NHTSA listing: CX-5. Mazda campaign 9216B.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA also lists 1 equipment recall for parts sold for this vehicle, not the vehicle itself: Visibility: windshield (PILKINGTON NORTH AMERICA, INC., 16E-002).
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2015 Mazda CX-5.
What owners report
Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 CX-5. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Cracked or shattered windshield12 · 9%
Check engine light7 · 5%
Shaking, shuddering or vibration6 · 5%
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting5 · 4%
Stalling or shutting off4 · 3%
Transmission failure or replacement4 · 3%
Liftgate or tailgate problems4 · 3%
Suspension parts (struts, ball joints, control arms)4 · 3%
Median 60,100 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Brakes14 · 11%
Engine14 · 11%
Speed control12 · 9%
Visibility/wiper10 · 8%
Electrical system8 · 6%
Unknown or other16 · 12%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Mazda CX-5 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2015 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2016 CX-5 drew the most (187) and the 2015 drew 76.
Owner complaints
2015: 133 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Mazda CX-5
Model year
Complaints
2013
194
2014
377
2015
133
2016
510
2017
148
2018
350
2019
270
2020
107
2021
147
2022
63
2023
63
2024
44
2025
27
2026
14
Safety recalls
2015: 3 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Mazda CX-5
Model year
Recalls
2013
1
2014
3
2015
3
2016
4
2017
1
2018
3
2019
2
2020
0
2021
0
2022
0
2023
0
2024
0
2025
0
2026
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Mazda CX-5, the problems described most are a cracked or shattered windshield (12), the check engine light coming on (7), and shaking, shuddering or vibration (6). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2015 Mazda CX-5 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2015 Mazda CX-5 earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2015 Mazda CX-5?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2015 Mazda CX-5.
How do I check if my CX-5 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Mazda dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: CX-5.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.