My 2016 doesn't have this feature, but I wonder if there is a setting to disable tailgate opening with the fob? It sounds like it's the issue. Just curious.

 

Well, I called one dealership Service Dept Manager and he said he was not aware of the issue, did not think there was any was to program the fob or whatever for a longer delay and of course the SM where I purchased my CX-5 didn't bother to return my call.
So I bought a case for the fob and will have to make do with that. Not too impressive Mazda

 

ok, but this fob issue is not unique to Mazda. My brother-in-law has a new Kia Telluride and he found his doors unlocked on the driveway (don't know about his tailgate) several times before he realized that he has to keep the fob out of his pants pocket when he is home or out working in the garage or front yard. He now has a place to hang up his keys inside the house and far enough away from the front driveway.

This is also how many new cars and SUVs get stolen.... by car thieves who have (widely available) electronic equipment that detects the fob signal from inside the house, then replicates and magnifies a signal so that the car/SUV can be started and driven away. According to insurance company data the two vehicles that are targeted the most are Honda CRV and F150 that are up to 3 years old..

 

I never said it was unique to Mazda. See here - my earlier post Yes, I've experienced this a few times in the few weeks that I have owned this car. Luckily, it was in my driveway as well as not raining. I (and others) had the exact same issue with my Audi A4. The issue seemed to have been that the button on the key fob was too sensitive, so if for example if you held the fob in your pocket, simply by moving around it could pop the trunk open. This is an extremely poor and dangerous design.

Simple fix was to have the techs in Service reprogram the fob to have a 3 second delay. I'm hoping the same can be done by the Mazda techs.

The difference was that Audi was able to reprogram the key to a 3 second delay eliminating the problem. This is an unfortunate, dangerous and poor design by any and all the automakers who have keys so programmed. Now I see where/how those keys can be used by car thieves.
Maybe this should be another thing the automaker/engineers need to look at when making these designs, I guess the quick answer is to keep the keys inside of some super protective box/safe while in the house. I'm surprised that the insurance companies don't put some kind of pressure on the auto companies. Anyhow, thanks for that heads up about the ease at which thieves can have access to our cars.

Edit - Just bought a signal blocking Faraday box for my keys.

 

I have a 2021 Touring with the power tailgate option. This is an easy fix. Remove the fob cover according to the instructions to replace the battery. Once the cover is off, pry off the side where the buttons are located. The buttons are on rocking hinges like a see-saw. Each button has a point which sticks out to press on the switch that actives the particular function. Use a pair of nail clippers or something similar to cut the plastic point off the tailgate button as close to the base as possible. Then just reassemble the fob. The rocking hinge will be slightly floppy but the panic button will still work as will the locking buttons which were not touched.