There are 6 owner-reported electrical system complaints for the 2009 Mazda Mazda5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The headlights on this car are dangerously dim. Like the turn signals overpower them levels of dim. I’ve replaced the bulbs, the battery, cleaned all the connections, replaced the alternator, nothing makes a difference.
Intermittently, the doors will not unlock when inside the vehicle, effectively trapping the occupants inside. Additionally, the locks will fail to lock or lock with either the key or the remote fob. trapping occupants inside or prohibiting someone on the outside from getting in to retrieve children inside.
CLIMATE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONING AND TURNING ON THE HEATER NOT AC
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR) THERE IS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, INCLUDING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. WE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND HAD BATTERY CHECKED, WHICH WAS WORKING FINE WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH. PROBLEM IS RECURRING. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
THE ALARM KEEPS GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR LONG TIME. I TURN IT OFF AND IT WILL GO OFF AGAIN, THIS IS ALMOST DAILY.
IN THIS CASE I LEFT MY LIGHTS ON CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN. THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS WHEN THERE IS NO POWER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE REAR SLIDING DOORS OR TAILGATE. ONLY THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENS WITH A KEY AND YOU CANNOT OPEN THE REAR DOORS FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT POWER. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THAT DISABLES THE POWER SYSTEM THESE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED AND PASSENGERS (ESPECIALLY CHILDREN WHO ARE IN SAFETY SEATS) CAN BE TRAPPED. THERE ARE 3 ROWS OF 2 BUCKET SEATS PER ROW. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP AND WOULD SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND IT NOT BE PURCHASED. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026