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2020 Mazda Cx 5 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2020 Mazda Cx 5 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Infotainment touchscreen ghost-touch malfunction.” 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. Mazda3, CX-5, CX-30, and CX-50 share the Skyactiv-G platform.

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 for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2020 Mazda Cx 5.

Reported to NHTSA

Infotainment touchscreen ghost-touch malfunction

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

31 NHTSA complaints · 2023-04 → 2026-08

“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 phantom touches”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11743236
“My infotainment display has a prevalent ghost touch issue that causes majors distractions while I'm driving, and no warnings on when it'll happen”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11638986
“The infotainment screen kept moving on its own disconnecting my map while driving. I took it to Mazda and they updated the software but the infotainment continued to malfunction”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11608324

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission chirping noise from torque converter

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2024-06 → 2025-11

“Vehicle suffering from Mazda TSB 05-005/23 Chirping noise from Transaxle on 3rd to 4th gear upshift. Vehicle diagnosed by dealership as needing new Transaxle on 17OCT25. Diagnosis stated issue started ~32k miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11697451
“The issue is iron is depositing in the transmission due to a bad torque converter, this is a known issue with mazda and it doesn't seem to be something they are willing to cover and many people are experiencing this especially with the cx5 models”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690786
“Driving about 20 to 35 mph accelerating I would get a distinctive one time chirp noise with a little bit of a stutter It happens every time I go about that speed accelerating”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11690627

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass spontaneously shattering

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-10 → 2025-11

“MY 2020 MAZDA CX-5 SUNROOF GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED FOR NO KNOWN REASON AS I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH ON HIGHWAY 97 IN OREGON. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AND IT JUST SUDDENLY BURST. ALL THE GLASS BROKE AND THERE WAS A HOLE WHERE IT BLEW OUT. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11406101
“ON OCT. 6, 2020, WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON I-95 IN VIRGINIA, NEARING EXIT 133, OUR SUN ROOF SUDDENLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED OUTWARD. WE WERE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 50-60 MPH AND SLOWING TO LEAVE THE HIGHWAY AT EXIT 133”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11363219
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696894

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine oil leak from cylinder head or gasket

ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2021-02 → 2026-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11745274
“I noticed an oil leak. I had it diagnosed and its a crack in the cylinder head, right above the exhaust manifold. This is known issue for Mazda's online. There is oil spilling everywhere. The oil burns off as it is driving. Smoke fills my car”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677045
“Low oil light came on at 52,764 miles, 300 miles before the next oil change on the manufacturer-recommended 7500 mile schedule. I've switched to a 5000 mile oil change schedule and will be monitoring oil level going forward for excessive oil consumption”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11619876

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic emergency braking activation without obstacle

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2020-05 → 2026-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11729750
“Automatic Emergency Braking (Mazda's Smart City Braking Feature) will randomly trigger even when there is no vehicle/person/object/obstruction present in the road infront of you. It has occurred going over railroad tracks and made by car go from 30 mph to 0 in a second”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11544224
“SUDDEN BRAKING CAUSED BY AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM. ON SEPT 1, 2020, I WAS DRIVING DOWN A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, GOING ABOUT 30 MPH, AND A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS TURNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11353304

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of power or stall while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2025-02 → 2026-04

“The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and lost automotive power and failed to exceed 15 MPH. The vehicle failed to return to normal operation”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11642539
“The contact owned a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving under 45 MPH, the TCM received a false data sensor warning, causing the vehicle to enter LIMP Mode”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11709183
“Car “died” while idling at a traffic light. It started but would not start several hours later and car was towed to mechanic”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11664532

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration without driver input

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-04 → 2024-11

“I was in the drive thru at a restaurant and had my foot on the brake. After a couple of minutes of sitting with my foot on the brake, I gently pressed the accelerator to slowly move forward. All of a sudden the car sped up on its own like I had floored it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11623379
“The vehicle accelerated on its own, while I was parking. My foot was on the brake when the vehicle just took off. It continued to accelerate until a building stopped it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11616109
“I WAS PARKED AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT THAT HAD AN OUTDOOR KIOSK FOR PAYMENT. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO PAY AND GOT BACK IN. AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO MY CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD, GOING OVER A SLOPED CURB AND DOWN A SHORT LOW GRADE HILL, HITTING A POLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11405931

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific 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. Mazda CX-50 Turbo and CX-9: 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. AWD CX-5, CX-50, and CX-9: 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from front-biased AWD coupling.

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. Mazda3 and CX-5 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. CX-50 Turbo and CX-9 Turbo: 45,000 miles.

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

AWD CX-5, CX-50, CX-9: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff 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. Behind the glove box on Mazda3, CX-5, CX-30, and CX-50.

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)

20 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 2020 Mazda Cx 5 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.

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