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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 Mazda CX-5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 377 owner complaints for the 2014 Mazda CX-5. Most complaints involve electrical system (132) and visibility/wiper (61). The EPA rates it 26–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
26–29mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2016
Owner complaints
377
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Sep 6, 2016NHTSA 16V644000

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Apr 11, 2016NHTSA 16V203000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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."

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V064000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

377 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2013 – Dec 2025
  1. Electrical system132
  2. Visibility/wiper61
  3. Power train50
  4. Engine39
  5. Structure32
  6. Visibility28
  7. Service brakes22
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)12
  9. Vehicle speed control9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CX-5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013194
2014377
2015133
2016512
2017150
2018122
2019273
2020110
2021148
202265
202367
202447
202529
202617
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

132 reports1 crash
“The car's electrical system doesn't fully turn off after being put in park and turning the ignition off. The electrical system stays on, despite the engine and ignition turned off. It's a BIG problem that I've seen a lot of other people report. And yet Mazda refuses to address the issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2025Electrical systemODI 11704343

Visibility/wiper

61 reports
“There is a pressure crack that goes almost all the way across my front windshield, there are no chips or dings in the glass. Second you can smell gas fumes near the back of the car but no gas is leaking”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2024Fuel/propulsion system, Visibility/wiperODI 11583118

Power train

50 reports
“I was waiting at a traffic signal to make a left turn, with my foot on the brake. The car accelerated aggressively, with no warning, like the pedal was pushed to the floor. I stood on the brake and shoved the shifter into park - coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection, Fortunately my wheels were pointed straight and the car did not race into oncoming traffic. My [XXX] father was in the car with me. Thankfully, my grandchildren were NOT in the car. You could smell the gas and brakes. It was NOT driver foot placement, nor was it floor mats. Vehicle has ~ 75K miles, and I am terrified of this happening again. I had driven this car regularly in rush hour stop & go traffic for years with no event like this ever before. Apparently sudden unintended vehicle acceleration is a recognized problem.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2024Power train, Service brakes, EngineODI 11594255
All 2014 CX-5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CX-5 2WD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200306
CX-5 2WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263228$2,300311
CX-5 2WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253127$2,400328
CX-5 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
253027$2,400324
CX-5 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
242926$2,450340
  • CX-5 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • CX-5 2WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • CX-5 2WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • CX-5 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • CX-5 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    24 city · 29 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 8009Vehicle 8008
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 CX-5 questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Mazda CX-5 problems?

Owners filed 377 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (132), visibility/wiper (61), power train (50). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Mazda CX-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Mazda CX-5 at 26–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Mazda CX-5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Mazda CX-5 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026