mazda 5 road test reports and car reviews

Mazda 5 2.0D Furano 2007

Bought a 2.0D Mazda Furano in 2007, ex-demo car with 6000 miles on the clock. I have now covered nearly 80,000 miles with good and bad points. The good bits first: Practical layout, sliding doors are great, especially for those with young kids or elderly parents, and great in tight car park spaces. I average about 45mpg, which isn’t too bad considering the size of the car. The bad points: Eats it’s way through tyres! First set lasted only 17,000 miles. Poor suspension geometry set-up was to blame and eventually got Mazda to sort under warranty and reclaim 50% of cost of tyres - don’t let them fob you off, they know about the problem. Still quite heavy on use though and now on fourth set! Clunky gearbox and whines in low gears all "very normal" characteristics! My suspension is now very noisy, creeks & groans and worse when cold. Servicing costs are quite expensive. In summary, practical, more van like than car like but wouldn’t buy another.

Responses to this review

If you’ve still got the car get rid before the ABS pump packs up, they cost from dealers is £1800.00. Since my last post the air bag light has now come on, not a very happy person :( Mazda UK sucks like Mazdas. ANYONE THINKING OF GETTIN ONE THINK TWICE, STAY AWAY - George from Bridgend

Mazda 5 2007

Do not buy a Mazda 5 or a 3; I’ve had the tyres done, had shocks done all under warrenty. 3 years later, the first week of no warrenty the abs pump went. I phoned Mazda UK who said "sorry can’t help you." Now the third week of no warrenty there is some kind of a fault on the air bag. In  the 25 years since I’ve been on the road and of all the cars I’ve had Mazda has been the worse one and Mazda UK is useless.

Responses to this review

I bought a brand new Mazda 5 in 2007 in Long Beach, USA with extended warranty (which means it is more than the 36k warranty) . The first issue about the car was the seat tracks which came loose. They fixed it because it was covered by their "warranty". Next was the brake rotors that got warped. It was machined and fixed ok. Next was the transmission fluid that got burned and had to be replaced. Then there was poor alignment and had to be aligned. Next, the tires had uneven wear which needed replacement. And now the rear shock absorber is leaking hydraulic fluid. All of these happened when the car is less than 3 years old and less than 40k mileage. The car is used mainly on freeways and never been subjected to abuse or misuse, I think there is something wrong with the car (lemon) and the craftmanship is poor. I wonder what mechanical problem will happen with the car (I will keep you posted). When the dealer was asked if these were coverd by their "extended warranty", their answer was a flat NO. I have a 2007 Toyota and I drive it almost everyday. It has 60k mileage and never had any issues. For sure, I will never buy a Mazda again. My only problem is how to get rid of the car since I am still tied with a 15k payment...- Carlos M. from United States of America

Mazda 5 2007

I purchased a Mazda 5 TS2 (16500miles) 10 days ago from the an Arnold Clark branch in Kirkcaldy. When I picked up the car and travelled to my home, outside Glasgow, I became aware of a slight shudder from the rear of the car. I have now taken the car to Arnold’s in Glasgow, and they have diagnosed "faulty rear shock-absorbers", which will be replaced under warranty. I have been advised by the Service Dept. not to drive the car as it is dangerous. However, looking at other reviews, I will also be checking the condition of the tyres. My wife purchased a new 2000 Premacy and over the last nine and a half years has had few complaints. It’s a pity that Mazda seem to have let quality slip when they inntroduced the Mazda 5 as its replacement.

Responses to this review

Hi, I had same problem last night and my car is back in with the dealer as I type. They say there is no tyre wear problems on 2008 models as the problem was rectified! Mine also has uneven tyre wear on the outside edges. My car is under 2 years old and has done 19,500 miles. They say lucky tyres have lasted this long on an MPV!! Waiting for Mazda to decide if they will contribute but dealer thinks they will refuse. They blame under inflation despite following the pressures recommended on the plate on the door frame! - Paula Jones from Essex

Mazda 5 2008

Had a blowout this week and on checking found the extent of horrific uneven wear on both front tyres. The car is currently with the dealer but dont know if I will have to pay for replacement tyres. Only had car for 15 months and it has also been back in 3 times for problems with gear box which still isn’t right. Will be very reluctant to undertake any motorway journeys in case I have another blowout. Can’t wait to get rid of it as soon as I can afford to.

Mazda 5 2.0 Sport petrol 2008

Got the Mazda 5 Sport in July 2008, (after Mazda’s claimed cure for the rear tyre wear, about Feb I think). I have covered 34000 miles and is now on it’s 3rd complete set of tyres. All have worn through to the inner carcass of the tyres on the front inner edge. Mazda try to hide or extend tyre life by moving worn front tyres to the rear therefore effectively doubling their useful life. See photos of tyres at http://mazdaforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20951 . From my many years of experience I will declare that this front inner edge tyre wear is due wholly to the incorrect CAMBER (too negative) because this vehicle has the 17" wheels as opposed to the originally designed 15" base model with no alteration to thoe front geometry in this larger wheeled version. Do not be fobbed off by Mazda’s excuse of "..it’s toe-in, toe-out, under inflation, over inflation or heavy/fast cornering." All these excuses show different symptoms to what we see and experience. The effect is that the car is really running on its inner edge while driving causing the poor handling, grip and performance. I have tried Dunlop 2050, Dunlop Maxx TT and now Continental Contisport3 (the ContiSport 3 are the best gripping for the UK’s cold and wet roads). It is not the tyre manufacturers fault as Mazda have suggested with some rubbish about a redesigned tyre (I have talked to & e-mailed Dunlop and there is no knowledge or proof of a ’redesign’ of Sport 2050). There is no easy cure for the Mazda 5’s front inner edge tyre wear problem except for a major expensive refit of the front suspensions’ McPherson Strut. Other than that and both rear suspension dampers being replaced (failed and leaking oil) it goes well with its 2 litre engine and built in bluetooth for mobile phones it’s okay. Consumption is less than 31MPG (27.5 - 30.1)

Mazda 5 TS2 2007

The reports of tyre wear have not applied to me. I bought the car at 23k a year ago and am now on 46k and these original tyres now need changing - not bad. The kids love the car and I think it’s a great drive and do many long journeys for work. Also, it’s interesting when I get it serviced (independent mechanic) that the car is always liked and considered a great drive.

Mazda 5 Sport 2006

Apart from the rear tyre wear and failing rear shock absorbers, the car has been great. I had the rear tyres replaced at about 13,000. Mazda refunded 60% of the cost. Had 2 sets of rear shock absorbers fitted under warranty as well as a set of alloy wheels due to slight corrosion. Absolutely no quibble with the wheels and shock absorbers under warranty. The last set of shock absorbers fitted were redesinged/uprated versions. The issue with the rear tyre wear was seemingly finally narrowed down (by Mazda) to the tyres which Dunlop had designed specifically for the 5 Sport. I’m just about to buy a new 2009 model and seemingly all the previous issues with tyre wear and rear shock absorbers leaking has been sorted.

Mazda 5 Sport 143 2007

Following my previous comments...went to Mazda Dealer (Perry’s / Portsmouth): 1) I was told the problem was probably due to me not checking the pressure regularly enough!!! 2) Beside, they would not check the geometry and I had to go to an independent garage to do so! 3) In terms of complaints, you have to go straight to Mazda, as you can not file a complain to the dealer. Consequently, I have just sent a recorded mail to Mazda copying BBC watchdog, as I still think this tyre wear issue is cause of serious concerns for safety. I am now waiting and see what solution they (if they) come up with...

Responses to this review

I have the same problem with a Mazda 5 2007 about the tyres; my tyres are bursting. They the company said it is not their problem. I can sell the car back to them for R120 000 or pay R100 000 then they will give me a other car.. What now?? - Carin Janse van Renburg from South Africa

Mazda 5 2007

Sport Nav. Superb car! That is apart from horrific tyre wear on the front, similar problem with off-side tyre down to the metal although as it was on the inner wall you couldn’t see it! Also air con starting to play up a little - not kicking in straight away. Big shame as this is an excellent family car. Although regular checking of tyres is a must!!!