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Mazda CX-5 no deployment problems

20 of the 2,483 owner complaints about the Mazda CX-5 describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 2018 model year.

owner complaints
20
worst model year
2018
typical mileage
15,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2024
    1
  • 2023
    2
  • 2022
    2
  • 2021
    1
  • 2020
    1
  • 2018
    5
  • 2017
    1
  • 2016
    4
  • 2015
    2
  • 2014
    1

Often reported together

Sudden acceleration 5Jerking 3

What owners say

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Airbags, Seats · 50,000 miles · IN · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle driving approximately 40 - 50 MPH. The contact stated that due to the crash, the driver's seat unexpectedly reclined, and the driver's head restraint detached and landed in the car seat in the rear seat. The contact also stated that the air bags failed to deploy during the crash. A Police report was filed. The contact was transported to a local emergency room and was treated for a fractured right fibula and whiplash. The vehicle was towed to a service center for an insurance claim and inspection. The contact was concerned that the air bags did not deploy and stated that the failure could have resulted in more catastrophic injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed May 12, 2026 · Brakes · CA · crash

Unintended acceleration incident. I entered the parking lot of a business where the Salvation Army is located to drop off a donation. The parking spaces were on the left side. As I pulled into a parking space and was in the process of parking, the vehicle suddenly lurched/accelerated forward unexpectedly and struck the concrete wall of the building. The airbags did not deploy despite the frontal impact. No one was seriously injured, but my husband, daughter, and I experienced soreness the following day from the impact. Thankfully, I had chosen a parking space in front of a concrete wall rather than the glass storefront windows, which could have resulted in far more serious injuries or damage. I contacted my insurance company, and the vehicle has since been repaired.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Airbags · NY · crash · 2 injuries

Airbags failed to deploy in a collision where the front end of the vehicle was crushed, and a driver wearing a seat belt hit the steering wheel with enough force to fracture their sternum and cause two cervical fractures as well.

Filed Nov 13, 2025 · Airbags, Seat belts · TX · crash · 1 injury

The contact owned a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was rear-ended. The front driver's side seat belt restraint did not function as intended. The contact's daughter was pushed forward out of the front driver's seat without restraint. The contact stated that the driver's side headrest detached due to the impact, and the back of the front driver's side seat fractured and detached. In addition, the air bag did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. A Police report was filed. The contact's daughter was transported by ambulance to the local medical center. The contact's daughter sustained injuries to the right arm and right leg, severe back pain, massive headaches, and whiplash. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 25, 2024 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · CA · crash

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda CX5. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the vehicle unintentionally accelerated without warning in an attempt to park the vehicle. On the first occasion, the vehicle drove in between two trees with the contact's foot on the brake pedal before the vehicle came to a stop. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop where the vehicle was repaired for minor damage. The contact was also informed that no computer codes indicated any signs of a mechanical failure. On the second occasion, the vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle while again attempting to park the vehicle in a parking lot. The force of the collision caused the already hit vehicle to crash into yet another parked vehicle. The air bags did not deploy upon impact and no injuries were reported. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the same independent mechanic where the code reader indicated that the vehicle had a low battery; however, the battery did not need to be replaced. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle remained in the possession of the independent mechanic and had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000

Filed Jul 22, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · MA · crash · 1 injury

Brand new 2023 Mazda CX-5 with 150 miles on it experienced unintended acceleration while braking. Pulled into a parking spot with my foot on the brakes but the car didn't stop & even accelerated over a sidewalk and into a building. I experienced a bruise from the seatbelt. Airbags did not deploy. Someone could have been killed if they had been on the sidewalk. Car is currently at an auto body shop to fix the cosmetic damages, and once released, will have the car towed to our local Mazda dealership/service center to get the car inspected. In doing research on the federal safety agency's website, at least 4 vehicles (2-2023 Mazda CX-5s and 2-2023 Mazda CX-30s) have experienced this issue. Mazda needs to recall these vehicles and investigate.

Filed May 5, 2023 · Airbags · AZ · crash · 1 injury

Entire drivers side air bags deployed, with only the driver in the vehicle, after striking a curb, (after striking a coyote, then swerving). Front central air bag did not deploy-only the side, and then for the entire side of a four door SUV, Mazda CX-5. Air bag slammed into neck and chest of driver nearly striking jugular with sharp impact. There does not appear to be any reason for side air bag to deploy, without front center deploying.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Airbags · PA · crash · 1 injury

Airbags did not deploy when I crashed into a guard rail dragging for 40-50 feet.

Filed Jul 26, 2022 · Body, Brakes · NC · crash

On July 22, my sister and I were traveling on I-95 going south. We stopped at the Maryland House near Aberdeen, MD. I was looking for a parking place and was driving very slowly. I slowed further to turn into a place on the right, near the south end of the parking lot and was attempting to put the car in park when the car accelerated abruptly, lurched forward, crossed over the concrete curb at the end of the parking space, and was heading right for I-95 which was straight ahead. I had never taken my foot off the brake. I tried to brake harder but that did not stop the car. I therefore turned right onto a service road to avoid crashing onto I-95. I then noticed a car coming toward me and swerved to the right back toward the parking lot, crossing over the curb at that parking spot, and slamming into a parked car and side swiping a truck. I only took my foot off the brake when the car stopped. The airbags did not deploy. After the car stopped, I was unable to turn the engine off. When I returned home, I looked on line to see if anyone else had reported a similar experience. Apparently there have been a number of similar occurrences with Mazda CX-5s (see https://www.carproblemzoo.com/mazda/cx-5/car-accelerates-on-its-own-problems.php) including a description of almost the same event with a car that also had low mileage. In several of the cases listed, the airbags likewise did not deploy. Note also that the police report may not include the origin of the incident but only the crash into the other car. I was in shock and was not able to give full information. I have asked for the complete information to be added to the report. Also of note, and possibly related: Earlier in July, an alert ‘brake, brake, brake’ sounded and there was a flashing on the dashboard that said ’’brake’. I took the car to Mazda, who could not find a problem and told me to return if it happened again.

Filed May 28, 2022 · Engine · FL · crash

My wife was pulling into a parking place today with her foot on the brake when the car suddenly accelerated, causing it to jump a curb and come to a stop over two large shrubs, which saved her from entering a busy highway and colliding with another car. This caused damage to the front end of the car and wheel wells. She told me she absolutely did not have her foot on the accelerator at the time. The cruse control was off and the driver's side floor mat was not out of position. She was not injured and the air bags did not go off. We have not yet taken this vehicle in for inspection of this defect. It is in the repair shop right now for body work. Our insurance company has been notified. My wife did not report any warning lights. The vehicle is available for inspection. Prior to this episode, I have noticed that at low speeds, the car tends to "surge" with slight pressure on the accelerator but we did not report that to the dealer.

Related recalls

Air bags: side/windowReported June 25, 2018 · 682 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. In the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk
If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2718F.

Recall number 18V426000 · Recall details

Questions about the Mazda CX-5 no deployment

Which Mazda CX-5 years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2018 (5 complaints), 2016 (4 complaints) and 2015 (2 complaints).

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