2020 Mazda CX-5

Routine

Owners filed 106 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. No safety recall has been issued.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System23
001
Unknown or Other17
000
Engine13
000
Service Brakes12
604
Power Train6
000
Structure › Body5
100
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking5
000
Air Bags5
101
Visibility/Wiper3
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 10, 2026CO

I purchased a brand new Mazda CX5 in 2020 that now has 46,000 miles on it. It is experiencing the known “ghost touch” issue in which the entertainment system and screen displayed in the center of the dashboard turns itself off and on, changes settings, shuts off navigation while driving, changes the radio from FM to AM, changes the time zone, drops hand free phone calls, initiatives hands free phone calls, does not allow me to control the volume, freezes, and more, while driving without me touching the system or even when it isn’t on. It is incredibly disruptive and distracting when driving and is a major safety problem. There was a class action lawsuit for this issue for 2016-2020 Mazda CX5s that expired in 2025 in which Mazda was required to pay up to $1750 for repairs. I was not having this issue at that time and have been told Mazda will only pay a portion to correct this issue. Considering how popular this vehicle is and the likelihood of this being cost prohibitive for many people to pay for themselves this has the potential to be a major safety problem throughout the country.

Engine
Filed Jun 19, 2026ME

Cylinder Head has failed at 53,000 miles. Mazda has a technical service bulletin acknowledging that this is a common occurrence with this part. They have an extended warranty for the turbo engine but not for the standard engine. Looking through online forums, there are hundreds of not thousands of these issues for this model year and engine. Mazda has clearly acknowledged there is an issue and should repair these manufacturing defects that are not normal wear and tear items.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 10, 2026AL

The infotainment display screen on my 2020 Mazda CX-5 has suffered a severe hardware failure resulting in un-commanded inputs, commonly known as "ghost touching." While driving at highway speeds, the touchscreen constantly registers phantom touches. It actively hijacks the vehicle's computer system and cuts out my Apple CarPlay connection during trips. This morning, the ghost touching randomly turned the Apple Maps navigation volume up to the absolute maximum level without warning. This intense, sudden noise causes driver shock and distraction while in motion, creating an immediate risk of a wreck. The vehicle currently has fewer than 29,000 miles.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jun 8, 2026PA

Read windshield just shattered while driving down the highway. No object hit the windshield. On I-95 near PHL airport, near exit for Rt 420

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 16, 2026CA

The vehicle infotainment system including the touchscreen display and Connectivity Master Unit malfunctioned. The touchscreen operates without driver input, the system freezes or glitches, audio activates unexpectedly, and phone functions behave erratically. The vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. While the vehicle was being driven, the system initiated actions without driver input including unintended phone calls including calls to 911, sudden unexpectedly loud radio or audio volume, screen freezing, and loss of navigation. These events caused driver distraction and a startle effect while the vehicle was in motion, increasing safety risk to vehicle occupants and others on the road. The issue is ongoing intermittent and reproducible during normal driving conditions. The vehicle was presented to an authorized dealer multiple times. A software update was performed in an attempt to correct the issue, but the condition continued. The dealer advised that replacement of infotainment components such as the CMU or display may be required. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealer on multiple service visits. The issue was also reviewed by the manufacturer customer experience case management team which acknowledged understanding of the malfunction but declined repair assistance. No police or insurance inspections have occurred. No warning lights or messages appear before the malfunction. Symptoms occur without warning and include random touchs

Air Bags
Filed Apr 8, 2026IA

Air bag light is flashing in the dashboard. It says passenger air bag off. Driver seatbelt doesn't always click when trying to fastent seatbelt. I have to try multiple times until it clicks.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 8, 2026IA

The car has signs of current recall in other Cx-5 Models. Hesitation with acceleration or driving at high speed, reduced power, not responding appropriately when accelerating or would accelerate on its own, strong smell of gas after the car has been driven and is parked. I know there is currently a recall for a gas pump failure. There is no engine light on.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Apr 7, 2026CA

While driving on the highway in traffic, I was applying the brakes (slowly and smoothly) and moving with the flow of traffic when the SBS system activated the brakes harshly and slammed me to a stop without reason. In addition to throwing me forward against my seatbelt, it also resulted in the car behind me rear-ending me. I did not hit the car ahead of me, since I was far enough behind them BEFORE the smart brake support engaged, but the feature caused an accident that could have been avoided.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 1, 2026IL

I am reporting an ongoing defect with the infotainment system in my 2020 Mazda CX-5, involving ghost-touch inputs, system freezing, and random reboots. These issues began around the second year of ownership and have progressively worsened. The system constantly registers inputs that are not being made (ghost-touch), changes settings on its own; and occasionally- reboots while operating the vehicle. This makes it difficult or impossible to reliably use essential vehicle functions such as navigation, communication, and audio controls. The issue is particularly concerning because it creates a driver distraction and potential safety risk, as the system behaves unpredictably and requires attention while driving to manage or disable unintended inputs. I reported these issues multiple times to an authorized Mazda dealership while the vehicle was still under warranty. However, I was told no issue could be found or that software updates would resolve the problem. These updates did not fix the issue. On August 9, 2025, another system update was performed under the Mazda Connect Class Action Settlement, but the problem persists. The dealership is now requiring a paid diagnostic fee before proceeding further, despite the known nature of this defect. Based on my research and widespread owner reports, this issue is commonly associated with infotainment system defects, including screen delamination and/or failure of the Connectivity Master Unit (CMU). I am submitting this complaint to docum

Steering
Filed Mar 16, 2026FL

The steering column in this car has a known defect in the steering column nut resulting in knocking/rattling/clunking. Mazda is aware of this issue and has redesigned the steering column and issued multiple TSBs for specific models, years, and even VINs. Mazda is not classifying this a a safety issue to avoid recall but if the part is to fail it can result in loss of vehicle control and a crash. The steering column is main component necessary to have control over the car and the direction it travels. I've called my dealership and Mazda corporate who both refuse to fix the issue even though my car is under an extended warranty. TSB 06-001/24 previous TSB 06-004/23.

Engine
Filed Feb 23, 2026MD

The Smart Brake Support system malfunctioned while driving. The vehicle began shaking and lost power, requiring excessive throttle to move. The car hesitates and may not accelerate normally, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard and the vehicle became unsafe to operate. The issue occurred shortly after purchase and was reproduced multiple times. The dealer inspected the vehicle but refused to provide a written diagnosis or repair timeline. The vehicle is unreliable and poses a risk of sudden loss of control or rear-end collision.

Power Train
Filed Feb 17, 2026OH

Started smelling burning oil in 2020 Mazda CX-5 non turbo with 34,000 miles. Auto shop states it is a cracked cylinder that will cost over $7,000 to repair. A Google search shows it is a known issue but Mazda has not extended the warranty for non-turbo models.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jan 6, 2026140,000 milesIN

The contact owned a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving under 45 MPH, the TCM received a false data sensor warning, causing the vehicle to enter LIMP Mode. The contact stated that during the failure, the smart brake feature, Adaptive Cruise Control, and other unknown ADS features and warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure with the ADS system prompted the vehicle to come to a complete stop while driving 45 MPH. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle to troubleshoot the ECU after the failure had occurred. The contact restarted the vehicle, and the adaptive cruise control warning light, smart brake feature, and ADS radar features returned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 4, 2025HI

Vehicle suffering from Mazda TSB 05-005/23 Chirping noise from Transaxle on 3rd to 4th gear upshift. Vehicle diagnosed by dealership as needing new Transaxle on 17OCT25. Diagnosis stated issue started ~32k miles.

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 1, 2025IL

THE SUNROOF EXPLODED NORMAL TEMPS in CHICAGO IL Halloween Hight 60 desgres on while driving on HWY

Structure
Filed Nov 1, 2025IL

SUNROOF EXPLODING - 2020 Cx5 I've seen other reports on mazda forums happending on cx the sunroofs RANDOM normal temp in chicago IL on Halloween night

Power Train
Filed Oct 1, 2025VA

The issue is iron is depositing in the transmission due to a bad torque converter, this is a known issue with mazda and it doesn't seem to be something they are willing to cover and many people are experiencing this especially with the cx5 models. It causes jerking and chirping noise, plus will eventually ruin the transmission and will cause serious safety issues. Just look into the reddit threads

Electrical System
Filed Oct 1, 2025KY

I purchased this vehicle as a used car from a dealership. On my way home, the infotainment panel began to shout at top volume that this is the volume that navigation would be set at. The volume was so loud that it was startling, and it continued on until I had to pull over. I contacted the dealer, but they offered no assistance. The car continues to control itself at the panel ferning with the use of android auto so that you can't use your phone GPS for directions. The radio will control itself, changing stations, making loud beeps, and turning the volume up. There is no way to stop this feature because you can't turn the system completely off while the car is on. I can find no way to fix this on my own. I have tried resets, but have seen ample information about other people having this problem online. This does not seem to be an unknown problem and I don't know why there has not been issued a recall because it's very dangerous.

Power Train
Filed Sep 30, 2025MI

Driving about 20 to 35 mph accelerating I would get a distinctive one time chirp noise with a little bit of a stutter It happens every time I go about that speed accelerating. Thankfully my car was under pre-owned warranty but I have to get now. Three transmission flushes I have to pay $400 for and they have to replace a torque converter. I just got the car 10 days ago and only has 61,000 mi on it. Over the long term this could damage the transmission cause more and more issues

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 27, 2025OH

The ongoing “ghost touch” defect in Mazda infotainment systems is a serious safety hazard that should have triggered a recall. This issue affects vehicles from model years 2016 through 2023 and stems from a design flaw present from the beginning. While driving, the system can suddenly take control of the screen—changing settings, switching stations, adjusting navigation, and even blasting the volume to maximum without driver input. On multiple occasions, I have been driving at freeway speeds when the system suddenly raised the volume to its highest level, jolting me and creating a dangerous distraction that nearly caused an accident. Mazda previously settled a lawsuit regarding this defect but only offered a free software update as a remedy. When I visited a dealership, I was told I already had the latest update—and that it does not resolve the ghost touch problem. The dealership acknowledged that it is a known design flaw, yet Mazda is charging customers around $800 to replace the defective component. This defect is widespread across multiple model years, worsens with time, and compromises the safe operation of the vehicle. Despite owning my Mazda outright and having only 40,000 miles on it, I may be forced to sell it because the vehicle has become unsafe to drive. I have a video of some of the things it does but it won’t let me upload it below.

20 of 106 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2016
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202614000Routine
202527000Routine
202444010Routine
202362000Routine
202263020Routine
2021144000Routine
2020 — this page106000Routine
2019270220Above average
2018348310Above average
2017148100Routine
20165105100Above average
2015133400Routine
2014377400Above average
2013194110Routine
20121000Routine

Compare every CX-5 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.