NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of September 2026, the NHTSA has logged 130 complaints against the 2021 Mazda CX-5. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2021 Mazda CX-5 complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has generated 260 NHTSA complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your 2021 Mazda CX-5 has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Mazda pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 108 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer to continue adding oil to the engine as needed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 46,465.” (NHTSA Complaint #11722089)
The 2021 Mazda CX-5 has generated 16 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “I have a 2021 Mazda CX-5 touring with just a little under 26,000 miles. A couple of weeks ago, I started hearing an indescribable, quiet but noticeable sound on the passenger side of the vehicle that started at 15 mph. While attempting to get an appointment at two different booked up Mazda dealerships I noticed the sound getting worse and louder. I was able to get the vehicle into a local shop (not a dealership) close to my home. The technician there stated that my rear differential was leaking and needed to be replaced. He advised me not to drive the car because he said that I could lose total control of the vehicle. I was surprised to hear this as I was planning on picking up my son from school but also because my car has low miles on it. Luckily the repair was covered under my powertrain warranty but I felt the need to share with others. To me, this is a safety issue that Mazda owners should be aware of.” (NHTSA Complaint #11624603)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 14 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “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.” (NHTSA Complaint #11627683)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2021 Mazda CX-5 include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 10 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Radio audio randomly stopped working and you have to disconnect the negative or you have to leave the car off essentially all night. It’s definitely unknown issue there’s videos all over YouTube about it and there’s forms on read about it.” (NHTSA Complaint #11699663)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 10 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “-My rear differential needs replaced with just 24,000 miles on the car. I have the video from the technician at the Mazda dealership if needed. -My safety was not at risk because I took the car in at the first sign of issue. -Mazda Dealer technician has confirmed problem. -Mazda has been contacted to approve the part/fix since it is still under warranty. -No warning lamps appeared. I noticed a noise that was not something I had heard/noticed before. -I have searched many forums and this is a known/common issue with this make/model.” (NHTSA Complaint #11570801)
As of the date of this review, no active recalls have been issued specifically for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. Recall status can change at any time. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the most current information. The absence of a recall does not mean your vehicle is defect-free — many lemon law claims proceed without a recall on file.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Mazda CX-5:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Mazda to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Mazda must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2021 Mazda CX-5 qualifies as a lemon under California law, Mazda may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Mazda a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Mazda dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Mazda pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Mazda a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Mazda is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2021 Mazda Cx 5 has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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