Reliable and well-engineered compact SUV, popular in Europe for good reason. The 2.0 Skyactiv-G is a proven naturally aspirated engine with timing chain (no belt replacement needed). Main concerns are thin paint that chips easily, fragile windshield glass, and premature rear brake wear on 2016-2017 models with electric parking brake issues. The 2.0L engine avoids the cylinder head cracking issues that affected 2018-2020 2.5L engines with cylinder deactivation. Avoid the problematic 2018-2019 model years if possible.
Mazda's thin paint chips extremely easily, particularly on hood, fenders, and roof · more· less
This is a well-documented Mazda issue affecting CX-5s from 2017 onward. Owners report finding dozens of chips within the first year even with careful driving. Soul Red Crystal is particularly affected, but all colors show abnormally high chipping. Body shops confirm this is a common CX-5 claim. Mazda issued a service bulletin for certain colors through 2018 production. Prevention: apply PPF (paint protection film) immediately after purchase. DIY touch-up kits cost €50-100, professional paint correction €500-800, full hood respray €1,200-2,000. PPF installation for front end runs €750-2,100 depending on coverage area.
Windshield cracking€430 - €1,200
Thin windshield glass cracks easily from debris and thermal stress · more· less
One of the most common CX-5 complaints. Owners report spontaneous cracks appearing overnight or spreading rapidly while driving. Even glass replacement workers note these windshields are extremely thin. Mazda appears to use thinner glass to reduce weight, making it more susceptible to damage. The rain sensor mounting area is a common crack initiation point. Replacement costs €430-530 for basic glass in Netherlands/Europe, but models with heads-up display, heated wipers, and ADAS sensors can cost €1,200+ including calibration. Insurance typically covers replacement but check your deductible.
Electric parking brake drag (2016-2017)€600 - €1,400
EPB motors don't fully release, causing premature rear brake wear and overheating · more· less
Affects 2016 and early 2017 CX-5s with electric parking brake. TSB R052/16C documents this issue - EPB motor gear dimensions out of specification cause calipers to drag. Symptoms: rear brake pads worn to 1mm while fronts still at 7mm, burning smell, brake noise, or vehicle rolling slightly when starting from standstill. All 2016 CX-5s assembled before September 9, 2016 are affected. The fix requires replacing both rear calipers with revised units, plus new pads and rotors. Mazda USA has assisted with costs in some cases. Total repair €600-900 at independent shops, €1,000-1,400 at dealers.
Parasitic battery drain€150 - €800
Electrical systems draw excessive current, draining battery in 7-10 days · more· less
Common issue across 2016-2020 CX-5s. Normal parasitic draw should be under 65mA, but affected vehicles show 800-1,800mA. Common culprits: rear liftgate module, body control module, electric parking brake circuit, and overhead light circuit. Symptoms: dead battery after a week of parking, even with new battery. Diagnosis requires systematic fuse-by-fuse testing after 40-minute wait for systems to sleep. Solutions range from simple module resets (€150-300) to liftgate module replacement (€400-600) or BCM replacement (€600-800). Keep the car on a trickle charger if driven infrequently.
2016-2019 models particularly affected. Common issues: endless boot loop preventing radio/navigation/Bluetooth use, screen responding to phantom touches (dangerous while driving), overheating in hot weather, SD card corruption. Quick fix: hold Mute + Nav + Back buttons for 10+ seconds to reset. If that fails, disconnect car battery for 2 minutes. Software updates available through dealer. SD card replacement TSB issued September 2017. Complete CMU (Connectivity Master Unit) replacement costs €1,200-1,600 at dealers. Some owners got Mazda corporate to cover costs by calling customer service. Used CMU from salvage yard €200-400 plus labor.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€140 - €600
Direct injection causes carbon deposits, but Mazda's design mitigates this better than competitors · more· less
All direct-injection engines are prone to carbon buildup, but Mazda engineered solutions: high valve operating temperature (above 400°F to burn off deposits), oil separator in PCV system, and 4-2-1 exhaust scavenging on CX-5 (Mazda3 lacks this). Most CX-5 owners report no issues until 150,000-200,000 km. One documented case showed heavy buildup at just 28,900 km, but this is rare. Contributing factors: cheap conventional oil (use quality synthetic), frequent short trips without highway driving. Symptoms at high mileage: misfires (P0300), rough idle, power loss. Walnut blasting costs €140-200 DIY, €400-600 at shops. Chemical cleaning cheaper (€140) but less effective and can damage sensors.
Water pump / thermostat failure€600 - €1,500
Electric water pump and electronic thermostat can fail between 70,000-100,000 km · more· less
The 2.0 Skyactiv uses an integrated electric water pump and thermostat housing. 2020+ models have a more complex electronically-controlled 4-way coolant control valve (Mazda extended warranty to 15 years/150,000 miles for this on some models due to P0126 code failures). Symptoms: coolant warning light, engine overheating, poor cabin heating, or check engine light with code P0126. The integrated design makes parts expensive (€400-500), and labor is 4-6 hours due to access difficulty. Total cost €600-800 independent garage, €1,000-1,500 at dealer. Replace thermostat at same time as water pump to prevent repeat labor costs. Inspect all cooling system components during replacement.
Brake wear (general)€300 - €700
Brake pads typically last 25,000-40,000 miles, shorter than average for SUVs · more· less
Even without EPB issues, CX-5 brake pads wear faster than competitors. G-Vectoring Control+ brakes inner wheels during cornering, accelerating wear. Owners report front pad replacement around 35,000-44,000 miles, rears around 30,000-40,000 miles. Factory pads have weak initial bite, prompting many to upgrade. Front pads + rotors €350-500 independent, €600-900 dealer. Rear pads + rotors €300-450 independent, €500-700 dealer. Full brake job (front + rear + fluid flush) €650-900 independent, €1,200-1,800 dealer. Consider aftermarket pads like Raybestos EHT3 for better performance and potentially longer life.
Above average reliability with mostly minor issues
The CX-5 KF with 2.0 Skyactiv-G ranks as one of the most reliable compact SUVs. The naturally aspirated 2.0L engine avoids the cylinder head cracking issues that plagued 2018-2020 2.5L engines. Timing chain (not belt) lasts engine lifetime. Most issues are cosmetic (paint, windshield) or minor electrical glitches. The 2020+ models skip early electrical problems and represent the most refined iteration. J.D. Power ranks Mazda third overall for dependability.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Mazda dealer or reputable independent specialist records essential. Verify oil changes every 12 months or 12,500 km (whichever first).
Tires
Check tread depth (minimum 3mm), age (check date codes - replace after 6 years), and uneven wear patterns. Size 225/65R17 on base models, 225/55R19 on higher trims.
Cold start
Start engine completely cold and listen carefully for any rattling or unusual sounds in first 30 seconds.
Body condition
Inspect for rust (rare on aluminum body), accident damage, paint mismatch indicating repairs.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including city streets, highway speeds, and varied conditions. Test all electronic systems.
Specific for this vehicle
Inspect paint for chips on hood, fenders, roof, A-pillars
Mazda's thin paint chips extremely easily. Count the chips - dozens indicate typical Mazda ownership. Soul Red Crystal particularly bad. Budget for PPF or touch-up.
Check windshield carefully for any cracks or stress marks
Look near the rain sensor area where cracks commonly start. Small cracks spread quickly. Check if windshield has already been replaced (not necessarily bad, but verify ADAS calibration was done).
Test electric parking brake operation thoroughly (2016-2017)
On flat ground, apply EPB and shift to neutral - car shouldn't roll. Drive 10 minutes then check rear brake temperature with infrared thermometer or by touch (should be warm but not burning hot). Smell for burning.
Verify battery holds charge
Ask when battery was last replaced and if car has been sitting. If dealer car, ask if they keep it on trickle charger. Test drive should include full electrical load: lights, climate, heated seats, radio.
Test infotainment system completely
Power on and verify it doesn't reboot repeatedly. Test touch response for ghost touches. Try Bluetooth pairing. Remove and reinsert SD card to check for errors. Check for software update availability.
Check brake pad thickness and rotor condition
CX-5 brakes wear faster than average. Through wheel spokes, verify at least 4-5mm pad remaining. Listen for any grinding or unusual brake noise during test drive.
Run full diagnostics scan if possible
Check for stored fault codes even if check engine light isn't on. Common codes: P0126 (thermostat), P0300 (misfires if carbon buildup), EPB-related codes.
Avoid 2018-2019 model years if possible
These years had highest problem rates (infotainment ghost touch, fuel pump failures, PCM stall issues). 2017, 2020, and newer are more reliable. If considering 2018-2019, verify all recalls completed.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Fuel pump impeller crack/deform (2018-2019)Verify completed - can cause stalling
Infotainment SD card corruption (2016-2018)TSB issued September 2017
Contact a Mazda dealer with your VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. US-market cars can be checked at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The fuel pump and PCM software recalls are most critical for 2018-2019 models.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 100,000 km)Expired on all 2017-2021 models
Powertrain warranty (5 years / 100,000 km)Expired on 2017-2019, check 2020+
Extended thermostat warranty (some models)15 years / 240,000 km on 2020+ for P0126
2.5T cylinder head extended warrantyNot applicable to 2.0L engine
All 2017-2019 CX-5s are outside factory warranty. European warranty terms may differ from US specifications. Mazda's Certified Pre-Owned program extends powertrain warranty to 7 years/160,000 km from original sale date. Extended warranty available through dealers but check exclusions - paint chips and windshield typically not covered.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.