Mazda 5 Problems & Known Issues

The Mazda 5 suffers from severe structural corrosion that compromises the rigidity of the vehicle assembly. MOT data shows this model fails at 17.1x the fleet average for structural corrosion, with failures occurring across all mileage bands from 40,000 miles upward. The corrosion typically affects sills, rear subframe mounting points, and suspension mounting areas. This is not surface rust but structural degradation that affects the car's crashworthiness and roadworthiness.

The Mazda 5 has exceptionally high suspension component failure rates, with MOT data showing failures at 48.8x the fleet average. The issue affects control arms, wishbones, and their mounting points, which suffer from both mechanical wear and accelerated corrosion. The high failure rate appears from 20,000 miles onward, suggesting a design weakness in the suspension mounting system or inadequate corrosion protection.

Petrol Mazda 5 models suffer from lambda sensor failures that cause the lambda coefficient to fall outside manufacturer limits, with MOT data showing failures at The issue typically manifests as rough idling, poor fuel economy, and MOT emissions test failures. The problem is exacerbated by poor servicing intervals and low-quality fuel, with failures becoming more common after 100,000 miles.

The petrol engines in the Mazda 5 develop exhaust manifold gasket failures and manifold cracks that create induction or exhaust leaks affecting emissions. MOT data shows failures at 11.9x the fleet average, typically occurring after 60,000 miles. The issue is caused by repeated heat cycling causing the manifold to crack or the gasket to fail, allowing unmetered air into the system.