Problems · NHTSA complaints

2022 Mazda CX-5 problems

Owners filed 65 complaints about the 2022 Mazda CX-5 with NHTSA between Feb 2022 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is exterior lighting (23).

Complaints
65
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Exterior lighting23
  2. Engine13
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Power train5
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Forward collision avoidance4
  7. Visibility/wiper3
  8. Fuel/propulsion system3
  9. Structure3
  10. Visibility2
  11. Tires2
  12. Air bags2
  13. Vehicle speed control2
  14. Insert, padding1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20229
20239
202412
202514
202621

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Exterior lighting

23 reports
“Humming sound coming from driver’s side headlight as soon as unlock bottom pressed in key fob. This sound comes from a faulty cooling fan inside the headlight and is a known defect. Humming sound progressed to very slow pitch indicating that fan function is diminishing over time. Mazda will replace the headlight but required me to pay $200 toward it. This should be a recall with replacement at no cost to the consumer as they are aware of the defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11745931

Engine

13 reports1 fire
“The timing chain cover gasket failed and is leaking oil at 66,000 miles. It is currently being addressed at Borgman Mazda in Grand Rapids. No crash or safety risk. There were no warning lamps, it was found by an separate inspection not from the dealership.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11670109

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash2 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2022 Mazda CX-5. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 26,400. The contact stated that the dealer harassed her to buy the extended warranty. The contact stopped by the dealer and requested that they stop with the harassment. The contact stated that at the time of purchase, the dealer connected the service to the infotainment system. The contact noticed that the vehicle was being tracked and the gauges on the instrument panel were tampered with. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that two days later, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 46,000. The contact suspected that the vehicle was hacked.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 10, 2025Electrical systemODI 11686371

Power train

5 reports
“Transmission failure, currently reproducible but car is at dealer to be evaluated/repaired. I was safe as I was still in my driveway, however if I was in traffic I would be at risk of an accident, by the time you realize you are not moving you have already let off the brake and could be rolling, fear is that if it happens at a traffic light other drivers woudl assume I am going to accelerate but I'm not. First time this happened dealer reproduced issue, contacted Mazda, and a replacement valve body was installed. Now that it has happened again within the first 33K miles it creates a trust issue. There were no warning sign either time the transmission failed. I also do not drive aggressively, wife says I drive like a grandpa. about 10-15 seconds after failure the alarms and warning lights go off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Power trainODI 11683090

Service brakes

4 reports2 crashes
“Brake rotors on all four wheels measured below minimum thickness specification at only 17,000 miles, requiring complete replacement of all rotors and pads. Rotors replaced at Koch Mazda (Easton, PA) on January 7, 2026 and no longer available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: Rotors below minimum spec have reduced structural integrity and heat dissipation capacity, creating risk of warping, cracking, or failure during emergency braking or sustained braking. Under-spec rotors can cause brake fade, increased stopping distances, and potential catastrophic failure. At 17,000 miles, this represents premature failure of a critical safety system. DEALER CONFIRMATION: Koch Mazda initially charged $89.99 for diagnostics claiming "nothing wrong" despite customer providing TSB 04-003/24 documentation. After formal complaint, dealership measured rotors below minimum spec and replaced all four rotors and pads as "non-warranty goodwill repair" (value $1,184.97). Calling it "goodwill" rather than warranty avoids documenting as defect claim. Dealership stated Mazda corporate approved the goodwill repair, indicating manufacturer awareness of widespread defect being managed…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2026Service brakesODI 11709508

Forward collision avoidance

4 reports3 crashes
“I was driving to Home Depot after work around 6PM PST on [XXX] and must have fallen asleep at the wheel about a.1/4 of a mile from my house and left the road way after a turn. I hit my head so hard I had to be treated for a head injury and the car dialed 911 for me to report a crash. The airbags nor any other safety system triggered besides detecting a crash and dialing 911. My car was deemed totalled by insurance and had to go to the hospital.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2024Air bags, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11630840
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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