32 of the
3,269 complaints filed about the Mazda CX-5
are about the suspension —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
Rear subframe corrosion on this vehicle. I am in a winter road salt region, the materials used for this vehicle's subframe are not compatible with consistent driving in this region. Similar vehicles (not mine?) were subject to a recall for the front subframe, but nothing for the rear. This rear subframe issues caused multiple failures of virtually every component of the rear suspension - control arms, rear springs, etc. The repair cost for JUST the subframe was $3813. Not repairing it was not an option - the vehicle had failed mandatory State of Maine inspection (a safety thing, if I'm not mistaken). This should be a Mazda problem, not a me problem. I contacted Mazda USA about this issue and got no response.
NHTSA complaint #11754891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear subframe corrosion on this vehicle. I am in a winter road salt region, the materials used for this vehicle's subframe are not compatible with consistent driving in this region. Similar vehicles (not mine?) were subject to a recall for the front subframe, but nothing for the rear. This rear subframe issues caused multiple failures of virtually every component of the rear suspension - control arms, rear springs, etc. The repair cost for JUST the subframe was $3813. Not repairing it was not an option - the vehicle had failed mandatory State of Maine inspection (a safety thing, if I'm not mistaken). This should be a Mazda problem, not a me problem. I contacted Mazda USA about this issue and got no response.
NHTSA complaint #11754892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was slowly turning left into an alley when I heard a loud noise, the front of my car dropped, and the car immediately stopped and was immovable. Upon getting out of the car, it appears some joint separated from the wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11736286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
With no prior warning, just after turning into driveway, my car got stuck and would not move. It gave clicking sounds and would not move no matter which gear it was in. The towing service person needed a dolly in order to safely lift the vehicle onto the towing bed because the front, driver’s side tire would not move and was pushing into the fender. So far, the control arm and axel are completely separated from the car. Further investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the spontaneous injury. This all happened without warning.
NHTSA complaint #11708612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear Shock mount deteriorated in 8 years, far quicker than industry standard. Mazda redesigned the part for 17' MY. Widely reported on Reddit. NHSTA service bulletin notice.
NHTSA complaint #11689342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
the “trailing link shaft” broke/split/tore apart at the right rear wheel. my car only has 16,500 miles. the vehicle was inspected by auto manufacturing dealer (mazda). mazda refused to admit it’s realting to manufacturing defect(s). i did not report it to police or my auto insurance carrier at that moment because i did not know what the issues were not until i dropped it off to my local dealer
NHTSA complaint #11677457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car has a lot of vibration when driving 60mph and above. Have had this issue looked at more than 5 times and they had my card for 1 month at the dealership trying to find the issue. This started back in February of 2024 and I have purchased 4 sets of tires and nothing makes the vibrations of the seat, steering wheel go away. Originally it wasn’t vibrating while driving back in February of 2025 only when braking to which I said to them I think it’s the rotors that have an issue. They never check the rotors and said it was my tires that were cupped. I put new tires on the car and still the same issue and went back to the dealership in April of 2024 and let them know it think it’s the rotors. In fact it was the rotors they were warped and they balanced the tires again. The dealership recommended resurfacing the rotors to which I had done. A Couple of months later the vibration while driving started. Bought another set of tires had then installed, balanced and aligned and still vibration. I thought maybe it’s the brand so I bought another set of tires to which the problem is still there. Now besides the vibration while driving I have vibrations while braking again after the dealership put in new rotors back in Nov. 2024. When to the dealership on 06.26.25 let them know the vibration while braking is happening again and I think it’s the rotors. They check them and rotors are warped again about only 6.5 months.The service manager said she will resurface them for me for no charge but then the service advisor said if they do that that the resurfacing is going to make me have to change the brake pads as I will end up in the red since my brake pads are in the yellow right now. I said then don’t resurface because I am not paying for the brake pads when that should’ve been done the first time the rotors were warped. I feel like I risk my life everyday driving this car to work 34miles one way.
NHTSA complaint #11669767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Certified Mazda cx5 sold with faulty wheel bearing and had to be back in service less than 24 hours from purchase. They failed to replace the piece of engine after 35.000 maintenance and another dealer found 5 areas that needed work 3 weeks later. Brake warning system went off took5 days to determine it was a dead switch and replaced exactly one month later Brake system warning goes off after car was In park and off for 25 minutes at the airport. I was told that I was fine to drive it despite the manual clearly saying do not drive if Brake warning lights go on. And it was supposed to have been repaired. The dealership expected me to believe that a rubber mat set off the high tech Brake system this is ridiculous They bought back car did not return the 5000 down payment or 14000 trade in and refused to honor the store warranty of buy back for life KBB 125 of trade in value. They refused to do anything to cancel warranty but then [XXX] canceled all 3 and had no authority or permission by me to illegally cancel my warranty and refuse to provide the documentation that the warranty company insist the dealer has to provide. There is no record of my ownership of this vehicle when VIN is run ir the excessive amount of damage to the car by Koons Mazda silver spring INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11526492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car was inspected in April of 2021. The front of car started making knocking or clunking sounds on the right side. 2 weeks later, while making a U-turn instead of getting on the interstate, there was a loud crunch/crash sound. It sounded like a garbage can went under the vehicle. Upon further investigation, realized that the right ball joint somehow dropped out of the knuckle. This forced the axle to pop out and further damaged the rest of the suspension components. Thank god this didn’t happen on the highway with my wife and 2 toddlers in the car- that would have been horrific.
NHTSA complaint #11501752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TSB issue with suspension steering gear assembly needs to be removed and have spacer kit installed. Issue caused the front lower ball joint to wear more than usual and crack. Due to TSB a joint kit needs to be installed and control arms replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11497047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lower ball joints, lower control arms, and axles failed on the front right and front left of the vehicle while driving. The wheels were partially disconnected with no ability to steer or drive my vehicle. Both failures happened within 2 1/2 months. After the right side failed, the auto mechanic checked the left side yet it failed regardless of all inspections including the annual state requirement. During both failures I was fortunate to be driving through turns at slow rate of speed. Serious injuries and more likely casualties would have occurred had I been driving at a higher rate of speed through traffic when the failures occurred.
NHTSA complaint #11492406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear Shock broke away from vehicle chassis. SAFETY Issue Mazda Technical Service Bulletin 02-016/18 " ....breakage can occur. ......the material and the shape of the bracket has been modified" THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART $675 to replace two DEFECTIVE shocks
NHTSA complaint #11472849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while having a routine oil change, the mechanic noticed that the rear shocks were leaking oil and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact to bring the vehicle to a dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 27,137.
NHTSA complaint #11447926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
front passenger side CV Axle/Boot, control arm, tie rod end fell apart causing tire to dislocate from vehicle. Vehicle has been properly maintained. It is at Mazda dealer service dept. It can be inspected there. If this fell apart on freeway it could have caused a major accident and loss of life. Dealer has not confirmed problem yet, awaiting their inspection. There were no warning signs or symptoms or messages.System passed previous Mazda service multi point inspection. Incident occurred out of the blue.
NHTSA complaint #11445329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Our 2018 CX5 has only 28K miles. During a recent oil change at our local auto repair facility I was informed that the driver's side rear shock was leaking oil and needed to be replaced. After some research I found there is a Mazda TSB (Bulletin No.: 02-001/21) stating that many 2017-2020 CX5s left the factory with defective rear shocks. In my opinion, loss of shocks could affect stability of a vehicle and cause a crash. There should be a recall to replace these defective shocks!
NHTSA complaint #11442706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, there was an abnormally loud chirping and squeaking noise coming from the driver’s side front wheel. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer to be inspected however, the dealer could not duplicate or diagnose the cause for the failure. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the suspension. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
NHTSA complaint #11442296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on an urban road and going over a slight bump, heard a clunk in the left rear wheel well. Pulled over and off road to investigate the situation. Was unable to see any particular cause in the rear suspension. However a small piece of corroded aluminum fell onto the ground from up inside the wheel well. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and the diagnosis was that both aluminum rear shock mounting plates were corroded. The left rear shock had separated from the mounting plate. The service station was unable to locate-acquire new mounting plates, hence had to have both shocks completely replaced on Aug. 19, 2021. I believe this problem represents a risk to the public, a potentially serious safety issue. I have a photo of the repair invoice and imagine the repair shop can confirm the basic problem. I located a Mazda email contact address and emailed them regarding the issue this evening.
NHTSA complaint #11433556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On Saturday afternoon 7/24 I was leaving a parking lot when my drivers side wheel detached from my front axle rod. I have around 90k miles on the vehicle. There was no indication of a part coming loose. Never noticed vibration of wheel or any resistance during movements. This should be a recall on the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11426479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.