Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2021 Mazda CX-5: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Mazda CX-5 at 24–28 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 148 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
0
EPA combined mpg
24–28
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mazda dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Mazda CX-5 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 0 safety recalls for the 2021 Mazda CX-5, newest first.
No recalls are listed for the 2021 Mazda CX-5 in NHTSA's recall file as of Oct 27, 2026.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel | City/Hwy/Comb | Fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-speed | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | 25/31/28 mpg | $2,400 | 322 |
| CX-5 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-speed | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | 23/28/25 mpg | $2,700 | 355 |
| CX-5 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-speed | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | 24/30/26 mpg | $2,600 | 337 |
| CX-5 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-speed | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | 22/27/24 mpg | $2,800 | 370 |
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Mazda CX-5 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Tested vehicle | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk | Forward collision warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 16.9% | Standard |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 17.4% | Standard |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Mazda CX-5 owner complaints
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mazda CX-5, most recently on Oct 7, 2026. 10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 8 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
| Component named in complaints | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Engine | 80 |
| Power train | 17 |
| Unknown or other | 17 |
| Electrical system | 12 |
| Service brakes | 11 |
| Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking | 8 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 |
| Air bags | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance: Warnings | 5 |
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
Other Mazda CX-5 model years
| Year | Combined | Recalls | Complaints | Overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CX-5 | 26 mpg | 0 | 17 | — |
| 2025 CX-5 | 24–28 mpg | 0 | 29 | 5/5 |
| 2024 CX-5 | 24–28 mpg | 0 | 46 | 5/5 |
| 2023 CX-5 | 24–26 mpg | 0 | 67 | 5/5 |
| 2022 CX-5 | 24–26 mpg | 0 | 65 | 5/5 |
| 2020 CX-5 | 24–28 mpg | 0 | 108 | 5/5 |
| 2019 CX-5 | 24–29 mpg | 2 | 272 | 5/5 |
| 2018 CX-5 | 26–29 mpg | 3 | 352 | 5/5 |
| 2017 CX-5 | 26–27 mpg | 1 | 150 | 4/5 |
| 2016 CX-5 | 26–29 mpg | 4 | 511 | 4/5 |
| 2015 CX-5 | 26–29 mpg | 3 | 123 | 5/5 |
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Other 2021 Mazda models
Sources
- Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
- Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
- Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
- Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
- NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Mazda.