FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD
The 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 105 owner complaints, and gets about 28 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.5L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.5 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 12, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
No safety recalls on file with NHTSA for this year and model. That's a good sign.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 12, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
105 filed- 29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 phanto
- 18
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
- 11
ENGINE
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 th
- 9
SERVICE BRAKES
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 m
- 8
POWER TRAIN
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
- 6
STRUCTURE
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
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 12, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★★
- Frontal
- ★★★★★
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 12, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 28 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 25 / 31
- Est. fuel / yr
- $2,200
- CO₂ / mi
- 322 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 12, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Have a mechanic check the electrical system
Owners report problems with the electrical system more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD get? +
The EPA rates the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD at 28 mpg combined (25 city / 31 highway), about $2,200 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD? +
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD, including 9 involving a crash. The most-reported area is electrical system.
MORE MAZDA RESEARCH
FREE IN THE APP
Comparing a few cars? Save the 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD and line it up against the others in the app.
No account. Saving and comparing cars is free; the per-listing report is $3.99.
THE FULL BUYER'S REPORT · $3.99
Found a 2020 Mazda CX-5 2WD for sale?
The research above is free. The app takes a screenshot of one real listing and returns a verdict, a fair-offer number, the red flags specific to that car, a walk-away floor, and a message you can send the seller, word for word.