Wrench.Pro

2009 Mazda Mazda5 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2009 Mazda Mazda5 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “TPMS valve stem corrosion and sudden air loss.” Mazda's Skyactiv engines use unusually high compression ratios (13:1 to 16:1) and require strict adherence to oil intervals — extending oil life on a Skyactiv engine accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves. Mazda's published Schedule 1 (severe) covers most US driving conditions.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Mazda Mazda5.

Reported to NHTSA

TPMS valve stem corrosion and sudden air loss

TIRES, WHEELS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2011-04 → 2017-05

“I HAVE HAD 2 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING VALVES BREAK INTO 2 PARTS EACH IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS. THE LATEST WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING TODAY ON CITY STREETS. THE TIRE PRESSURE ALARM WENT OFF SO I STOPPED THE CAR TO CHECK THE TIRES. WHEN I TOUCHED ONE OF THE VALVES IT JUST CAME APART IN MY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10985465
“WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH ON US23 IN MICHIGAN, TPMS LOW PRESSURE TELLTALE ILLUMINATED. WITHIN 30 SECS, VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL HARD TO THE LEFT. PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THIS 4 LANE 70MPH HIGHWAY IN THE RAIN TO INVESTIGATE. LEFT FRONT TIRE COMPLETELY FLAT. NUT HOLDING THE TPMS SENSOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10478046
“MY HUSBAND PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2009 MAZDA5 AND IN FEBRUARY 10TH 2011, AS I WAS DRIVING MY TIRE LOST ALL AIR, THE VALVE HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. THE DEALER SAID I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING BUT I KNOW I DIDN'T, I WOULD HAVE FELT SOMETHING IF IT WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO BREAK THE VALVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10440468

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Premature tire wear from rear alignment

SUSPENSION, TIRES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2010-08 → 2012-12

“I PURCHASED A USED 2009 MAZDA5 KNOWING THAT IT NEEDED TIRES. AFTER BUYING NEW TIRES I HAD THE CAR ALIGNED. I WAS TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WAS "WITHIN SPEC" DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE REAR CAMBER WAS SET IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE TIRES SHOP SAID I'D BE LUCKY TO GET 15,000 MILES OUT OF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10487395
“AUTO HAS HAD TO HAVE COMPLETE SET OF TIRES BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WEARING ON OUTER EDGE OF TIRES AFTER ONLY 32,000 MILES. NEW TIRES ARE ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF PREMATURE WEARING EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE BEING ALIGNED AND ROTATED REGULARLY AT ONLY 52,000 MILES. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10448444
“ON DEC.8,2011, I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON INTERSTATE HWY 167., THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD GONE FLAT. I WAS ABLE TO GET ON THE AUXILIARY ROAD WITHOUT GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. I INSPECTED THE TIRE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY HOLES. I USED A PORTABLE TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10439224

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear shock absorber and suspension bushing failure

SUSPENSION

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-04 → 2014-04

“LEFT REAR SHOCK FAILED AT 21222 MILES ON MARCH 23, 2012, COVERED BY WARRANTY. RIGHT REAR SHOCKED FAILED AT 28073 MILES ON OCTOBER 20, 2012. MAZDA REFUSED TO REPLACE RIGHT REAR SHOCK ON MARCH 23, 2012 DUE TO NO VISIBLE FAILURE AT THIS TIME. MAZDA WOULD NOT REPLACE RIGHT REAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10477180
“REAR SHOCKS FAIL AT 40K MILES. HAVE THE SHOCKS REPLACED AT THE DEALER, MAKING THE SAME NOISE AT 50K MILES. I THINK THE QUALITY OF SHOCKS AND SUSPENSION FOR THIS CAR IS POOR. *JS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10455794
“LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN LEFT/FRONT OVER UNEVEN SURFACE. WORSE DURING COLD WEATHER. CHECKED BY INDEPENDENT DEALER THEN BY MAZDA DEALERSHIP. TOLD SWAY BAR BUSHINGS WERE THE PROBLEM. CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AT TIME OF INITIAL COMPLAINT, BUT TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO HEAR IT. [BUSHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10501829

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sliding door latch failure and unintended opening

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-03 → 2019-01

“SLIDING PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11165848
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA 5. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DOOR, BUT THE SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO LATCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10849809
“I WAS HEADING TO WORK, I CANNOT OPEN SLIDING DOOR TO GET MY DAUGHTER INTO HER SEAT. HAVE TO GET HER IN ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND HAVE TO REACH SO FAR AND BEND TO GET HER BUCKLED IN. WHEN I DROVE OFF, THE DOOR SIGNAL ON THE PANEL IS WARNING THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. TO AVOID ANY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10450882

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wiper blade detachment from arm

VISIBILITY, EQUIPMENT

2 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2011-04

“ON 4/15/2011, A SET OF NEW MEIJER BRAND BEAM-STYLE WIPER BLADES WERE PURSCHED FOR A 2009 MAZDA5 AND WERE INSTALLED ON THE CAR BY TH OWNER. ON THE MORNING OF 4/19/2011, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 71/75 IN KENTUCKY THROUGH A THUNDERSTORM, AND THE DRIVER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10396766
“AT 42,300 MILES BOTH FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES RIPPED OFF THE WIPER ARM AT EXACTLY THE SAME TIME, WHILE DRIVING IN VERY HEAVY RAIN. WHEN I WENT TO GET NEW BLADES, THE PARTS MANAGER EXPLAINED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE 26" BLADES ARE NOT SOLD SEPARATELY FROM THE ARM, AND I WOULD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10392914

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist failure

STEERING

16 NHTSA complaints · 2009-04 → 2022-01

“THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO UNCONTROLLABLE AND WOBBLING SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING A FREEWAY AT 60MPH AND ENDED UP CAUSING THE CENTER DIVIDER CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ONE MONTH AGO AS BRAND NEW CAR. THE POWER STEERING HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO HANDLE AND FINALLY CAUSED THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10265348
“2009 MAZDA 5 POWER STEERING FAILURE - POWER STEERING FAILS COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. - HAS OCCURRED ON 5 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES - PROBLEM WILL USUALLY GO AWAY AFTER A RE-START BUT SOMETIMES RETURNS. VIN [XXX] - MAZDA INDICATES THIS UNIT IS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10357931
“WHILE DRIVING 10 TO 20 MPH POWER STEERING FAILS FOLLOWED BY ALL ELECTRONICS FLASHING AND THEN BY CAR ENGINE DYING. CONTROL OF CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. POWER STEERING HAS FAILED ABOUT 20 TIMES ENGINE FAILURE ABOUT 10 TIMES. DEALER TOLD ME THEY FOUND HITS ON THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10318049

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine cooling fan controller fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2010-10 → 2010-10

“FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, DRIVER'S SIDE NEAR FRONT LOCATED AT THE FAN CONTROLLER UNIT. ELECTRICAL HIGH-RESISTANCE CONNECTION DUE TO IMPROPER LENGTH OF WIRE IN HARNESS CAUSING LOOSE CONNECTION IN CONTROLLER UNIT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10361508
“FIRE AT FAN CONTROLLER LOCATED AT FRONT OF DRIVER'S SIDE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10361235

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2 (highway-only): 7,500 miles. Turbo engines: 5,000 miles regardless of schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles; every 5,000 on AWD models, where the front-biased coupling wears tires unevenly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Skyactiv-G direct injection is sensitive to airflow restriction — inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace ATF every 60,000 miles severe / 100,000 normal. Use Mazda FZ ATF — substitutes cause harsh 1-2 shifts and torque converter shudder.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs every 60,000 miles on Skyactiv-G 2.0L and 2.5L; 45,000 miles on the 2.5L Turbo.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

FL-22 Long-Life Coolant

Every 60,000 mi

Mazda FL-22 (yellow): first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000. Do not substitute — silicate-free formula prevents water pump damage on Skyactiv engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. On most models it sits behind the glove box.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

19 crashes 1990–2024

How the 19 occupant deaths break down

14

driver deaths

5

passenger deaths

19

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2010 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2009 Mazda Mazda5 reflects Mazda's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →