Mazda Mazda5 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mazda Mazda5 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (1) and the 2006 the most (78).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
9 | 1 | Seats | — | — |
| 2014 | 12 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2013 | 24 | 1 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2012 | 37 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | — |
| 2010 | 57 | 1 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2007 | 61 | 1 | Steering | — | — |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
64 | 2 | Steering | — | — |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
67 | 1 | Steering | — | — |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
78 | 2 | Suspension | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mazda Mazda5 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2006 Mazda Mazda5: 78 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 20 (26%); Tires 18 (23%); Steering 10 (13%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 51,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Mazda Mazda5: 67 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 37 (55%); Suspension 9 (13%); Tires 7 (10%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 39,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2009 Mazda Mazda5: 64 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 17 (27%); Tires 13 (20%); Suspension 8 (13%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 42,305 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Mazda Mazda5 years with the fewest complaints
2011 Mazda Mazda5: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 1 (100%); Wheels 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Mazda Mazda5: 9 complaints
Most-reported: Seats 2 (22%); Air bags 1 (11%); Engine 1 (11%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 4 injuries. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mazda Mazda5 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38,000 |
| 2012 | 37 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 43,000 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 57 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 56,000 |
| 2009 | 64 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 42,305 |
| 2008 | 67 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 39,000 |
| 2007 | 61 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 65,000 |
| 2006 | 78 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 51,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mazda Mazda5 recalls
- Rear Lift Gate may Fall if Lift Gate Stays Corrode (2012–2015 model years; 580,455 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V644000)
- LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST (2007–2009 model years; 215,000 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2010; 10V374000)
- INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP (2009–2010 model years; 16,200 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2010; 10V600000)
- DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS (2006 model year; 9,800 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2006; 06V463000)
- EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT BUILDUP (2006 model year; 7,000 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2005; 05V412000)
All 5 Mazda Mazda5 recall campaigns · Mazda Mazda5 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mazda Mazda5 years FAQ
Which Mazda Mazda5 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mazda Mazda5 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2006, 2008 and 2009 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mazda Mazda5 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (101 of 412 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mazda Mazda5 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the Mazda Mazda5. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mazda Mazda5 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.