2009 Mazda MAZDA5 problems
The 2009 Mazda MAZDA5 has 81 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (21%) concerns steering. After that come tires (16%) and suspension (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 81 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 6 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 5 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 48,000 miles 60 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 15 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 10 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 60 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 48,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 18,000 miles (12 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 6 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 5 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 7 model years of the Mazda MAZDA5 with enough data (58 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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 major accident. The car is waiting for inspection from insurance company and the dealer refused to take any responsibility.
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.
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 onboard computer, were able to repeat the problem and eventually tracked it down to the power steering. But have failed to find a problem. They now deny all of this. I question if the car is safe.
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 not part of their recall.