Owners have reported 10 crashes, 2 fires and 8 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Mazda 5. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints72
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with excessive oil consumption in the 2021 Mazda 5, with many complaints indicating the low oil warning light illuminates between oil changes. Symptoms typically include burning 1-3 quarts of oil within a few thousand miles, often before reaching 10,000 miles. Some owners also describe spontaneous power loss, engine vibrations, and check engine lights, with specific references to code P0304. The oil consumption issue is noted even in vehicles with low mileage, and while no crashes or fires are reported, the potential for engine damage or failure is a concern. Buyers should be aware that some dealerships suggest regularly topping off the oil as a temporary measure, with no permanent solution currently provided.
Owner complaints19
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent issues with the 2021 Mazda 5 related to the power train, particularly with the rear differential and oil consumption. Complaints describe rear differential failures, often accompanied by a loud bang and subsequent locking of the drivetrain, typically occurring at low speeds on city streets, which poses a risk of crashes if it happens at higher speeds. Additionally, there are multiple reports of excessive oil consumption, with owners noting oil level warnings appearing between 3,000 to 4,000 miles after an oil change, sometimes accompanied by a burning smell. These issues are reported across a range of mileages, including as low as 1,000 miles for clutch problems, and can lead to safety concerns such as loss of motive power or engine damage if not addressed.
Owner complaints16
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 5 report several issues, including unexplained stalling and hesitation during acceleration, particularly from a stop, with some incidents occurring at low mileages like 3,500 miles. Complaints frequently mention excessive oil consumption, with low oil warnings appearing around 4,000-mile intervals. Additionally, some owners describe sunroof shattering incidents and rear differential leaks, which pose potential safety risks. Two crash incidents are reported, one involving unintended acceleration leading to a crash with injuries, and another involving a vehicle rolling when parked. These issues suggest concerns about vehicle reliability and safety, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2021 Mazda 5, including infotainment system failures where screens go blank or audio stops working, often requiring a reset or extended shutdown. Complaints frequently mention blind spot monitoring and lane assist systems failing to function reliably, with one incident leading to a crash due to the blind spot monitor not alerting the driver. Two separate fire incidents are reported, one occurring while the vehicle was stationary and another during towing, though no injuries were sustained in these cases. Sudden unintended acceleration is also noted, with one case resulting in a crash and injury. These issues occur at various mileages, with some as early as 1,500 miles, suggesting potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints9
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 5 frequently report issues with the braking system, including underpowered brakes, excessive shaking, and premature wear of brake pads and rotors. Complaints often describe brakes feeling soft after driving in traffic and sudden, hard automatic braking without driver input, sometimes linked to sensor obstructions. Mileage at which these issues occur varies, with reports as early as 5 miles and up to 28,000 miles. Safety concerns are evident, as some owners experience loss of control or unexpected stops, especially in adverse weather conditions. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring brake-related problems and their implications for driving safety.
Owner complaints7
AIR BAGS
Owners report frequent issues with the airbag system in the 2021 Mazda 5, with several complaints mentioning the airbag malfunction warning light repeatedly illuminating during normal driving. Some owners describe the warning appearing and disappearing multiple times per drive, often starting when the vehicle has low mileage, such as under 500 miles. In one case, a crash occurred where the airbags failed to deploy, resulting in an injury, while in other instances, airbags deployed unexpectedly without a collision at low speeds or no apparent impact. These patterns suggest potential safety risks related to both non-deployment and unintended deployment of airbags, which may concern potential buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report that the forward collision avoidance system in the 2021 Mazda 5 frequently malfunctions by detecting non-existent curves, vehicles, and objects, leading to unnecessary steering corrections and emergency braking. Complaints often describe the system activating the brakes abruptly even when there is no imminent collision, particularly during turns or lane changes. These issues are noted to occur both on highways and city streets, with some owners indicating the problem has been present throughout the vehicle's life. Safety implications are significant, with multiple reports of near rear-end collisions due to sudden braking. Buyers should be aware of these reported malfunctions, as they pose potential risks for unexpected vehicle behavior.
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 5 report issues primarily related to unintended acceleration and malfunctioning adaptive cruise control. Multiple complaints describe incidents where the vehicle suddenly accelerates despite the driver applying the brake, often resulting in crashes, as seen in four of the five reports. These incidents have led to injuries, with symptoms including neck and back pain, contusions, and bruises. Additionally, the adaptive cruise control system may fail to decelerate the vehicle when approaching stopped traffic, particularly in snowy conditions where radar obstruction is noted. These issues are reported at low mileage, such as around 3,500 miles, and carry significant safety implications given the frequency of crashes and injuries involved. Used car buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering this model.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints3
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 5 report steering-related issues, with one complaint involving a crash where the vehicle unexpectedly veered right and accelerated without driver input, resulting in a collision. Multiple reports mention steering wheel vibrations while turning and instances where the steering wheel locks, particularly when the vehicle shuts down unexpectedly. These incidents occur at various mileages, with one report noting a failure around 81,000 miles. Safety implications include loss of control and potential for crashes, as evidenced by the reported collision. Used car buyers should be aware of these steering-related complaints, which may indicate recurring issues with vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners report issues with the suspension system of the 2021 Mazda 5, particularly involving the control arm lower ball joints and the trailing link shaft. Complaints frequently mention torn control arm lower ball joints at approximately 31,000 miles, which necessitate replacement due to safety concerns. Additionally, a broken or split trailing link shaft at the right rear wheel is reported at around 16,500 miles. These issues may pose safety hazards, though no crashes or loss of control are explicitly noted. Used car buyers might consider inspecting these components, especially around these mileage marks.
