Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2025 Mazda CX-50Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 2025 Mazda CX-50. Most complaints involve power train (12) and service brakes (8). The EPA rates it 25–38 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25–38mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Oct 2025
Owner complaints
48
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Suspension: critical fasteners

Free remedy

Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2025 CX-50 and CX-50 Hybrid vehicles. The front suspension fastener bolts may not be tightened properly, which can result in suspension component and/or wheel detachment.

SuspensionReported Oct 29, 2025NHTSA 25V737000

Air bags: air bag

Free remedy

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain CX-50 Hybrid and CX-50 vehicles. Incorrectly configured module software may cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Air bagsReported Jun 18, 2025NHTSA 25V413000

Trailer hitches

Free remedy

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.

Trailer hitchesReported Mar 14, 2025NHTSA 25V167000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

48 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2024 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train12
  2. Service brakes8
  3. Forward collision avoidance8
  4. Structure5
  5. Suspension5
  6. Wheels4
  7. Seats4
  8. Engine3
  9. Electrical system3

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-50 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
202364
202435
202548
202614
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

12 reports
“The rear differential makes a grinding, clicking noise when traveling at low speeds and especially when turning. After a fluid change the on the differential, a large amount of metal fragments were visible in the oil. Also causes rear wheel hop on sharp turns. This is a known issue amongst CX50 owners but Mazda refused to acknowledge an issue. The issue started for me around 40k miles. Just outside the warranty period.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 14, 2026Power trainODI 11771233

Service brakes

8 reports2 crashes
“The automatic emergency braking in this vehicle is faulty. It misinterprets obstacles and uses the emergency braking inconsistently. I park in a parking garage and I have to slowly (less than 5 MPH) drive up any ramps because it apparently sees the ceiling of the garage as a obstacle and as a result, will randomly brake with no notice (which feels like getting rear ended). The dealer said it is working as designed and said I can turn this function off, but I have to turn it off every time I start the car. I also updated the sensitivity t the lowest setting, which didn’t help. I’m worried about this issue happening when I’m in traffic or bad weather and what might occur, like an accident. I’ve talked with other users of this same vehicle and they have ran into similar issues. Based on my experience, I think the system is defective and is a safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11761096

Forward collision avoidance

8 reports1 crash
“I previously reported the auto breaking system would slam on breaks prematurely. Now it was a factor in an accident where the Mazda CX-50 was rear-ended by a Ram 2500 truck at full speed on the highway. Car is incompaitated and I have suffered injuries.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11746992
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl hybrid · 2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (S6)
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 Oct 27, 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-50 4WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
393738$1,700233
CX-50 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
253128$2,300322
CX-50 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
232925$2,550355
  • CX-50 4WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    39 city · 37 hwy · $1,700/yr
    38
    mpg comb.
  • CX-50 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • CX-50 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Mazda CX-50 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
0.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 20110
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

2025 CX-50 questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Mazda CX-50 have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 2025 Mazda CX-50 problems?

Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (12), service brakes (8), forward collision avoidance (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Mazda CX-50 get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Mazda CX-50 at 25–38 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Mazda CX-50?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Mazda CX-50 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026