Mazda 5 I problems (2005–2010)

All 2 engines of the Mazda 5 I that we have documented have high or critical severity faults: the MZR-CD and the MZR gasolina. The safest option is the MZR gasolina, with a «Buy» verdict. Outside the engine, the first-generation Mazda5 carries a recall of the side and curtain airbags (2005-2010) and, according to the DEKRA report as reported by Autofácil, typical faults with shock absorbers, rear bushes and brakes, with 15% serious faults against a segment average of 14.1%. We have not found any other campaigns or studies that single out the first generation.

Among the 2 engines we have documented, the safest option is the MZR gasolina, with a «Buy» verdict. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de rates the petrol engines of the Mazda6 GG as reliable, the 1.8 among them; fiches-auto.fr records one case of a blown engine among 16 testimonials for the 1.8 of the Mazda6 GG, and a thermostat and a lambda sensor beyond 160,000 km in two testimonials for the GH. There is no data of its own for the Mazda5 and the MX-5 with this engine; the teaser of the auto motor und sport article (paywalled) only says that the MX-5 NC is not very problematic as a used car, without naming the engine.^[1][2][3][4]

Outside the engine, the first-generation Mazda5 carries a recall of the side and curtain airbags (2005-2010) and, according to the DEKRA report as reported by Autofácil, typical faults with shock absorbers, rear bushes and brakes, with 15% serious faults against a segment average of 14.1%. We have not found any other campaigns or studies that single out the first generation. The most important documented faults are: airbag module incorrectly configured after fitting the passenger airbag deactivation switch (airbags and safety, critical severity), shock absorbers leaking oil (suspension, medium severity), brake pad and disc wear and braking power that could be better (brakes, medium severity) and play in the rear suspension bushes (suspension, low severity).^{[7][8][9][10][11]}

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations (MZR-CD, high severity), big-end bearing damage in the 2.3 MZR, with isolated cases in the 1.8 and 2.0 (MZR gasolina, critical severity), turbocharger wear or failure (MZR-CD, high severity), carbon on the injectors, EGR valve and intake (MZR-CD, medium severity) and oil consumption in the 1.3, 1.6 and 2.0 MZR at high mileage (MZR gasolina, low severity).

Yes: we have documented 2 campaigns for the Mazda 5 I, such as mazda5 (2005-2010): passenger airbag deactivation switch incorrectly configured (2022). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.^[9]