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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 140 owner complaints, and gets about 26 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2021 Mazda CX-5

  • Engine 4-cyl 2.5L
  • Drive 4-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

None

No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.

Caution

What do owners report?

7 injuries reported

7 of 140 reports (~5%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 20192recalls
  • 20200recalls
  • 2021 · this car0recalls
  • 20220recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 2, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
5 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2021 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 2, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 2019262reports
  • 2020105reports
  • 2021 · this car140reports
  • 202262reports

140 owner reports on file

8 crash mentions 7 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 140 total reports.

  • ENGINE 61 of 140

    The vehicle developed an engine oil leak from the timing cover due to what appears to be premature seal failure. Engine oil was leaking externally and could drip onto hot engine components, creating a potential fire hazard while the vehicle

  • POWER TRAIN 15 of 140

    Engine developed a major oil leak at 70,000 miles, with multiple seals leaking. This appears to be a known defect with these vehicles and owners should not be bearing the cost for repairs.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 of 140

    LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on about 1000 miles from last oil changed. Dealer fixed the Mazda recall code: P250F on July 30, 2025. Now is same issue of LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on again on November 19, 2025.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 of 140

    The vehicle's Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) suffers from a severe, persistent electronic hardware malfunction that causes the central information display and dashboard telemetry to blink, cycle, and drop signals erratically. This specific

  • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 of 140

    2021 Mazda CX5 AWD- Non Turbo Engine. Sunny Day, Dry. My Car was clean. No Precipitation. Some shadows of the interstate light poles across the road 200-300 feet in front of me, but they were thin shadows. Sun Was to my Left. I was dr

  • SERVICE BRAKES 6 of 140

    The car has 21000 miles and is driven lightly when applying the brakes the steering wheel started shaking and the car made noises - the brakes could have failed at any time and at any speedl The dealer said the rotors were warped. no warnin

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 2, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the 4WD version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 201928mpg
  • 202028mpg
  • 2021 · this car26mpg
  • 202226mpg

$2,350

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 24 mpg
Highway driving 30 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 26 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $750 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 2, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 2.5L

Drivetrain

4-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 2.5L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
2.5 L
Drivetrain
4-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 2, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Have a mechanic check the engine

Owners report problems with the engine 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.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2021 Mazda CX-5 listings

    Quick answers

    Are there any recalls on the 2021 Mazda CX-5? +

    No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

    What gas mileage does the 2021 Mazda CX-5 get? +

    The EPA rates the 2021 Mazda CX-5 at 26 mpg combined (24 city / 30 highway), about $2,350 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2021 Mazda CX-5? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Mazda CX-5 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2021 Mazda CX-5? +

    Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Mazda CX-5, including 8 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.

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