Mazda CX-5 VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Mazda CX-5 VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 8 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2013–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefixJM3

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Mazda CX-5

About the Mazda CX-5

Mazda has sold the CX-5 in the US since the 2013 model year, and there have been three generations. KE first (2013–2016), then KF (2017–2025), and the KM took over for 2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recall campaigns and 2,447 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the KF. Its 2018 and 2019 model years alone account for 620 of them, with owners bringing up engine and cooling most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the KE at 26–29 mpg combined, while the KM gets 26 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2013–2026

GenerationsKE · KF · KM

NHTSA recall campaigns8

Owner complaints2,447 at NHTSA

Mazda CX-5 photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Mazda CX-5 generations

Three generations since the 2013 model year. The KF (2017–2025) has the most owner complaints, the KE (2013–2016) and KF (2017–2025) the most recall campaigns (4 each).

3 / 3

20263rd generation

Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

201320202025

2026· Generation 3 of 3

KM · 3rd generation

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle

EPA combined mpg26

NHTSA recalls0

Engines (EPA)

2.5 L 4-cyl · 2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD
automatic (2026)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (5)Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) (3)Equipment (1)

Mentions in 14 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · KMJM3KMDHA?T0······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2026 Mazda CX-5 Premium, built in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture

Check a CX-5 VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which CX-5 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 8 campaigns on file for CX-5 model years 2013–2026, and the 2016 shows up in more of them than any other year (4), ahead of the 2014 (3). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mazda CX-5 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2016 and 2014 hold 887 of the 2,447 complaints, or 36%. Tap any bar or generation.

2,447NHTSA complaints, 2013–2026

126mention a crash

17mention a fire

73injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearKM: 14 complaints · most for the 2026 (14)

Top complaint areas · KM

Mentions in 14 complaints, 2026.

Electrical system5

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)3

Equipment1

Rear camera / back-over prevention1

Forward collision avoidance1

Brakes1

Crashes 0Fires 0Injuries 0

2026 (KM)

NHTSA data summary

Its first model year, the 2026, drew more complaints than any other (14 of 14). Owners across the generation name electrical system most often (5 mentions), then visibility (3).

What CX-5 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2017–2025 (2nd generation, KF)

On the 2019, engine complaints dominate NHTSA reports, with owners describing oil leaks, smoke or a burning smell and dealers tracing the problem to a cracked cylinder head. CarComplaints ranks a defective engine head first for 2018, followed by dragging brakes and resistance linked to cylinder deactivation. On the 2017, infotainment screen faults are a common complaint. Recalls cover engine control software on 2018–2019 models that may cause a stall and a low-pressure fuel pump impeller on 2018–2019 models that can crack and make the pump fail. [1] [2] [3]

2013–2016 (1st generation, KE)

On the 2016, exterior lighting leads NHTSA complaints, and a recall covers LED daytime running lights that may fail while driving. CarComplaints ranks the same light failure first for 2016, followed by a transmission that would not engage and a windshield that breaks easily. Brake reports are also common at NHTSA. Another recall covers 2014–2016 models whose fuel filler pipe may rupture in a crash. [4] [5]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the daytime running light and fuel filler pipe recalls on the first generation and the engine software and fuel pump recalls on 2018–2019 models.
On 2018 and 2019 models, ask for any cylinder head repair records and look for oil leaks or smoke near the back of the engine.
Check the windshield for cracks and the brakes for dragging.

Sources (5) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

CX-5 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Diesel CX-5 versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

2,447complaints, 2013–2026

126mention a crash

17mention a fire

73injuries reported

Most complaints: 2016 (510), 2014 (377), 2018 (350)

2016 · 510 complaints

Crashes 31 · fires 10 · injuries 13

Exterior lighting161

Electrical system71

Service brakes69

Unknown or other57

Power train51

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

CX-5 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 46 CX-5 versions for model years 2013–2026 (gas and diesel). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 306 g/mi (2016). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

KE2013–2016

26–29 mpg · CO₂ 306–341 g/mi

KF2017–2025

24–29 mpg · CO₂ 320–370 g/mi

KM2026

26 mpg · CO₂ 339 g/mi

Model year2025

28combined MPG

321CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,400EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: 4WD · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L — 28 MPG · 321 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDiesel

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2017–2025. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the CX-5, against 24 for the Toyota RAV4 and 27 for the Honda CR-V. Pick a range to compare.

Mazda CX-5KM

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 0
NHTSA owner complaints: 14
EPA combined mpg: 26–26
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.5 L
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 5
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 3
Equipment 1

Toyota RAV4

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 2
NHTSA owner complaints: 35
EPA combined mpg: 38–43
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.5 L
Also listed: hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 11
Electrical system 7
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 7

Honda CR-V

Model years 2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 1
NHTSA owner complaints: 146
EPA combined mpg: 29–40
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.5, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 27
Forward collision avoidance 25
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 24

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mazda CX-5 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a CX-5

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Gray Mazda CX-5 (second generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The CX-5's VIN plate is at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label between the front and rear doors are standard secondary locations. Engine bay stamp is present near the strut tower. The KM generation starts with the 2026 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (T for 2026) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Mazda CX-5 VIN questions

Which Mazda CX-5 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2016 leads with 510, ahead of the 2014 (377) and 2018 (350). Those first two alone make up 36% of the 2,447 CX-5 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mazda CX-5 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 8 vehicle campaigns for model years 2013–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, the KE and KF have the most (4 each), then the KM (0); a campaign can span two generations.

Which Mazda CX-5 recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 16V-064. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which CX-5 generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the KE is 2013–2016 and the KF 2017–2025. KM spans 2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (T is 2026).

What fuel economy does the Mazda CX-5 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2026 KM at 26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 26–29 mpg for the 2013–2016 KE (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mazda CX-5 compare with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V on recalls?

For 2026 models the CX-5 has 0 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota RAV4 has 2, the Honda CR-V 1. Complaints run 14, 35 and 146 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Mazda CX-5 have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 CX-5 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

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