How many miles can a Mazda CX-5 last? When you’re in the market for a new or second-hand CX-5, that’s, of course, a very reasonable question to ask. After all, you’re probably looking to get the most bang for your buck. In this blog, we’ll look at this question in great detail but first, let’s start with a quick answer:
On average, a Mazda CX-5 lasts between 230.000 – 270.000 miles. A CX-5 needs to go to the garage for unscheduled repairs about 0.28 times per year, with an 8% chance of severe problems. Furthermore, CX-5 owners spend an average of $447 per year on repair costs.
Having said that, we’re certainly not done. Below we’ll first explain in more detail how many miles a CX-5 can last. After that, we’ll also show you how much a CX-5 costs per year and which production years are the most and least expensive. Furthermore, we also discuss the common problems that the car can have. Read on!
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How Many Miles Can A Mazda CX-5 Last?
To answer this question, looking at one or two high-mileage Mazda CX-5s is not enough, so our team here at thedriveradviser has looked at the mileage data of 11,000+ Mazda CX-5s to find the accurate number of miles it can last before it gives up and goes to heaven.
With this much-researched data, relying on computer-generated estimates is not an option. We will give you real-life practical results backed by statistics. We have divided the whole research into four different mileage categories to make it simple.
| Number Of Miles | Percentage Of Cars |
| Cars With 150,000+ | 0.82% |
| Cars With 100,000 – 149,000 | 4.41% |
| Cars With 45,000 – 99,999 | 27.16% |
| Cars With 0 – 44,999 | 67.61% |
Out of these four, the most important one is the 150k+ mile category. Through years of accumulated experience, we know that if a vehicle can show more than 3%, it is reliable. However, when we concluded the research, the data was not promising. The final result came out to be less than 3%.
There is a reason the Mazda CX-5 could not show more than 3%: its production years. The Mazda CX-5 was introduced to the US in 2013, which is not enough for most vehicles to cross the 150k miles mark in huge numbers. However, 0.82% of the available ones for sale in the used market had crossed the magic number.
From the data, it is evident that about 30% are within the 45k–to 99k miles, which means sometime later, we will be able to see them crossing the 150k mile barrier as well. We have performed several other surveys to determine if the Mazda CX-5 is worth your hard-earned money. It is considered reliable if it performs well in our reliability tests.
How Reliable Is A Mazda CX-5 Compared To Its Competitors?
We carried out the same research for CX-5’s competitors in the market. And the data is analyzed and shown in the table below. We also compared the highest mileage of all the competitors.
| Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150.000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150,000+ | Highest Mileage |
| Mazda CX-5 | 11336 | 94 | 0.82% | 300,000 |
| Nissan Rogue | 19110 | 351 | 1.83% | 250,000 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 21884 | 666 | 3.04% | 270,000 |
| Honda CR-V | 19918 | 1077 | 5.40% | 400,000+ |
The data shows that the most reliable of all the midsize crossover SUVs is the Honda CR-V, and then the Toyota RAV4. The Nissan Rogue, even though it achieved the minimum requirement, our further analysis showed that it’s not that reliable. The only reason it could get 3% is the time it had to get to this percentage eventually.
Mazda CX-5 was able to compete with the competitors with less than 3%, which is evident in the fact that the highest average of the ones that crossed the 150k miles is about 300k miles, which means the Mazda CX-5 will continue to get better in years to come. The highest mileage race was won by none other than the Honda CR-V, followed by the CX-5.
This whole comparison shows that the Mazda CX-5 is, in fact, reliable. Now it’s at the neutral score of reliability. We will conduct further evaluation and reliability tests assessments to determine if it’s reliable enough.
How Reliable Is A Mazda CX-5 Compared To Other Mazdas?
It’s a given that if the manufacturer is reliable, most of its offerings will also be reliable. We are going to investigate several Mazda offerings and evaluate the mileage data. If most of the Mazdas come out reliable, the CX-5 will have a higher probability of being reliable.
| Model | Sample Size | Cars With 150,000+ Miles | % Percentage Of Cars With 150,000+ | Highest Mileage |
| Mazda CX-5 | 11336 | 94 | 0.82% | 300,000 |
| Mazda CX9 | 2615 | 93 | 3.55% | 230,000 |
| Mazda3 | 4472 | 273 | 6.105% | 270,000 |
| Mazda6 | 2507 | 119 | 4.74% | 330,000 |
When we evaluated a couple of Mazda CX-5s, the data was promising, unlike Nissans, who showed average results. Most Mazdas came out to be much more reliable than most vehicles on the road. The percentage above the 150k mile mark is also consistently good.
How Much Does Maintenance Cost Per Year?
The maintenance cost is an essential factor that gives you insight into how reliable a particular vehicle is. Our research showed that apart from the 2013 model year, all the other models have shown promising results.
| Model Year | Annual Maintenance Cost |
| 2018 | $339 |
| 2017 | $393 |
| 2016 | $387 |
| 2015 | $432 |
| 2014 | $520 |
| 2013 | $548 |
The average annual maintenance cost is $447, which is not that bad considering that normally midsize crossovers get $500+ for their yearly maintenance cost. The 2013 model year that had most of the common problems was the first production year in the US, and it’s normal for the first production models to have assembly line issues, which get resolved later on.
The rest of the Mazda CX-5s are considered one of the most reliable vehicles in the automotive industry. The 2013 model year’s main problem was only related to the premature wear and tear of the brakes, which is not that costly when we compare it with common problems shown by many other vehicles.
If you are looking for a reliable option, we recommend the latest model years because they have the lowest maintenance cost. With the newest model years, you won’t even have to consider the repair bills even when it has crossed the 150k mile mark. Most owners’ reviews back this up as well.
Mazda CX-5 Common Problems
A vehicle can not be considered reliable if it shows a lot of expensive-to-fix common problems. A low maintenance cost won’t mean much if the repair cost for the common issues eats up your savings. When we investigated the common issues presented by the Mazda CX-5, the conclusion was in favor of the Mazda CX-5.
NOTE: Before buying a used car, I always like to make sure the vehicle isn´t having any problems that you should be aware of. The easiest way to do this is by buying an OBD2 scanner. These scanners can easily be plugged into any car you’re interested in, and they’ll give you a rundown of potential problems.
Sunroof Shattering With No Warning
This issue is buzzing all over the internet. The company has yet to issue a resolution to this problem. Many owners have reported that when driving at 45mph, the sunroof glass starts to shatter without warning. The owners claim that no rocks hit the sunroof.
Brake Pads
The most common issue of the Mazda CX-5 is that the brake pads wear out quickly, even before the warranty. This problem has been reported in many model years, including the most recent ones. Replacing the pads should do the job. The average cost for replacement is $212 to $231.
This problem, however, is not considered a fault but one of the wear and tear items that require replacement after some time.
Daytime Running Lamps Issue
The Daytime running lights were affected in the 2016 models, which resulted in a recall. The culprit was a defective gasket that was supposed to stop water from coming into the headlight assembly. If you are looking for a used CX-5 of 2016, you can check if it has attended the recall.
Issues that are resolved under the recall will cost you $0, and you would only have to take it to the dealership and let them do the work for you. If rust has accumulated on the control board, the dealership will most likely resort to replacing the whole headlight assembly.
An independent shop can replace the gasket by spending about $120. If you see a used CX-5 that didn’t attend the recall, ask the dealership if they would do it for free relating to the recall; if not, ask for a price adjustment from the seller.
The Windshield Problem in Mazda CX-5
All the model years of the Mazda CX-5 have this problem. The windshields of these cars crack and break easily, which is due to a fault in manufacturing. This problem is prevalent in the 2016 models. The windshield should be replaced with a better one, costing an average of $270 to $340.
Also read: Types Of Gas A Mazda CX-5 Takes
Is A Mazda CX-5 A Smart Buy?
The simple answer is Yes. Mazda CX-5 is a reliable SUV. Both the user reviews and the mileage data back it up. Furthermore, when we completed all the reliability tests, the Mazda CX-5 was the hero in reliability. Apart from the 2013 model year’s brake pad issue, it has been smooth sailing for the Mazda CX-5 owners.
If we look at the depreciation data, which is 45% after five years, it further confirms the reliability of the Mazda CX-5. Even though one of the most reliable competitors has shown depreciation just a few percent better than this, the 45% depreciation itself is considered a good bargain.
This data also indicates that if you are looking for a used Mazda CX-5, a five-year-old model will give you the best value as most of the depreciation would have already taken place, which will provide you with a low buying cost. The reliability would still be there as the data speaks for itself.
When looking for a CX-5 in the used market, avoid the salvage titles as they will have problems, and you won’t find them reliable. You can use the money you will save on a salvage title for repairs and frequent maintenance.
Always go for a clean title and low-mile vehicle. Our mileage data shows that there are plenty of low miles CX-5s for sale in the US, which are the ones that we recommend you buy.
Mazda CX-5 Maintenance Schedule
The Mazda CX-5 hasn’t shown any electronics or mechanical issues. However, keeping all the maintenance stuff in check is essential. Negligence in maintenance will cost you a lot on repairs in the future. If you want to keep your Mazda CX-5 healthy, you will have to give it the necessary care.
Before/On Every 7,500 Miles
- Engine oil replacement
- Oil filter replacement
- General inspection
- Tire rotation, also read: The Exact Bolt Pattern Of A Mazda CX-5
- Wiper fluid
Before/On Every 20,000 Miles
- Air intake filter replacement
- Cabin air filter replacement
- Electronics inspection
- Battery inspection
- Brakes inspection
- Check for any fluid leaks
Before/On Every 40,000 Miles
- Transmission oil replacement
- Suspension inspection
Before/On Every 60,000 Miles
- Spark plugs inspection and replacement if required
- Ignition coil inspection and replacement if required
- Tire replacement, which includes wheel balancing and alignment
- PVC check
- EVAP system inspection
- OBD scan
- Emission system inspection
- Lubrication where required
Other Maintenance Tips
If you want to find a well-maintained CX-5 in the used market, you can look for the tell-tale signs, which include cleanliness. A well-maintained vehicle is often super clean as well. You can use this trick if you are buying from a private seller. On the other hand, dealers would have their entire inventory detailed, so you won’t know if it’s well maintained.
If you want to keep your Mazda CX-5 well maintained, we recommend you keep yours as clean as possible; it will help motivate you to maintain it. It’s the golden rule of the industry; if you can keep your car clean, you will be able to keep it maintained, and vice versa.
Other maintenance tips include:
- Using fuel additives recommended by the manufacturer, available at the dealerships.
- Always use the recommended engine oil and transmission oil in your Mazda CX-5.
Sources
Hi! My name is Stefan; I’m the owner and lead writer at TheDriverAdviser.com.
I’m an active writer on this blog myself, as well as a novice car mechanic. For the really technical stuff, I find writers with experience as a mechanic or who have studied mechanical engineering.
Read more about our fantastic team on our about page!