MazdaCX-52021Overview/mazda/cx-5/2021/base/

2021 Mazda CX-5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 CX-5.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

Powered by a turbo engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 delivers an EPA-rated 25 city, 31 highway, and 28 combined mpg while specifying 5W-30 or 0W-20 oil viscosity for maintenance. Though the engine stands as the top complaint area among 137 total owner grievances, the model notably carries zero recalls for the year. Situated within the nameplate's 2012-2026 complaint history, the 2021 CX-5 falls well below the problematic 2016 peak of 507 complaints yet above the 2012 low of a single complaint, signifying a mature and largely stabilized vehicle for researchers to assess.

Model year20252024202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacityTurboOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80.0-108.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy25/31/28 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 55D23L · 0 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1WPE14302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 55D23L · 0 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/55R19 99VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPE14302 alt 1WPY14302
Engine air filterPE07133A0A alt PY8W133A0
Fuel filterPE0113ZE0 alt PE1A13ZE0
Spark plugPY8V18110 alt PE5R18110A
Battery0000800035WB
Front wiper bladesKD2W67330 alt KB7W67330B
Serpentine beltP30115908 alt PY0115908
ThermostatP50215171 alt PYFD1516ZA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.1 in
Overall width72.4 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3594 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 31 / 28 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CX-5 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2021 Signature
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021Signature 2.5L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.70 sec250 hpAWD
2021Signature 2.5L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.60 sec250 hpAWD
2020Grand Touring 2.5L I-47.90 sec16.20 sec187 hpAWD
20222.5 Turbo Signature 2.5L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.90 sec256 hpAWD
20222.5 Turbo Signature 2.5L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.30 sec256 hpAWD
2019Signature 2.5L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec250 hpAWD
2019Signature 2.5L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec250 hpAWD
2019Signature 2.5L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.90 sec250 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds Turbo of 5W-30 / 0W-20 engine oil, Mazda Long Life Hypoid Gear Oil SG1 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-108.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.4 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilMazda Long Life Hypoid Gear Oil SG1
Differential Gear OilMazda Long Life Hypoid Gear Oil SG1
Engine CoolantMazda FL-22 Coolant

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0-85.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 30.0-39.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80.0-108.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)75 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap0.041-0.051 in
Spark Plug Torque12.0-14.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMaza
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.033 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityR-1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity3.38 oz
Standard BCI Group Number55D23L
Standard BCI Cranking Performance0 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumTurbo: 79.1 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumTurbo: 100.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MinimumNon-Turbo: 58.8 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure MaximumNon-Turbo: 70.3 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)Fuel holding pressure: 33.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)Fuel holding pressure: 33.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueRear: 17.0-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 68.0-; Rear: 63.0-
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.023; Rear: .315
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.060; Rear: .350
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .004

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
127.0-53.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 71.0-97.0 inch lbs.27–53 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80-100°20–23 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55-65°67–81 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
19.5-12.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0-34.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 85-95°, Step 4: 85-95°9.5–12.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 sits in a relatively stable portion of the model’s lifecycle, with 137 complaints and zero recalls—matching the 2020 and 2022-2026 models in having no safety campaigns. This is a clear improvement over the generation’s earlier, more troubled years: 2016 peaked at 507 complaints and 5 recalls, while 2019 saw 260 complaints and 2 recalls. The 2021’s complaint count is moderate, led by 56 engine-related issues, but the data does not specify root causes for these. With no recalls and a complaint total well below the generation’s worst years, the 2021 represents a low-risk choice in the CX-5 lineup.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
492
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
137
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 137 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine56
Unknown Or Other8
Power Train,Engine7
Service Brakes5
Electrical System5
Power Train5
Visibility/Wiper4
Lane Departure3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 492 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-042-262026-06-30Electrical SystemThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are…
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
09-019-262026-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are…
SA-027-26a2026-06-16Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted…
SA-040-262026-06-15Electrical SystemThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CX-5. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 CX-5 take?

Turbo of Turbo: 5W-30; Non Turbo: 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 CX-5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CX-5 get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 31 highway / 28 combined mpg.