I don't have a Mazda cx5, yet. I was impressed by it on test drive and went over interior, etc. very closely. I definitely like the look and feel of it over the likes of the CR-V, rav4, etc. I am beginning to read reports on the internet about windshields cracking spontaneously on these cars or with minimal impact. One site, an Edmund long term test, indicated a windshield replacement cost on a GT of over 700$ US I think, partly due to the emergency braking system and the rain sensing wipers. I live in an area with lots of construction and where all the road shoulders have gravel/pebbles on them, and am used to having to replace windshields every couple of years on average. The state inspection is absolutely asinine about cracks in the wiper area, even if they don't really impair visibility and insurance typically has a 100$ deductible in this area. Sometimes I have had to replace more frequently than once per 2 years, and other times I have gone several years without having to do it. Then, I am reading that the glass has to be special ordered sometimes. Is this a specific problem with this car that I maybe should wait for the manufacturer to rectify, or no bigger deal than any other brand? Anyone have any advice on this?

 

It doesn't appear to be a widespread problem, just people complaining of bad luck.

 

You're really going to base your decision on whether to spend $30,000 on how people on this forum answer that question? Mazda sold close to 80,000 CX-5's this year alone. There may be 100-200 active members on this forum. Of those, a few have had cracked windshields. Of those, a few have cracked windshields because of a design flaw (maybe, just maybe, the city braking thingie is too heavy and eventually cracks the windshield... maybe). Of that sub-sub-sub set of owners, only a few have had to pay for it out of pocket.


Do the math and buy the car. Better yet, get one without city braking.

 

Actually, um, no.....just seeking information. I have gotten lots of useful information out of forums relating to other products. Of course this is a bit more expense than a wifi adapter or a video card. I'd only ever have to pay 100$ out of pocket, and I don't think that my insurance agent would care how many times I did it. At least that is what she told me on the phone. The rates on the car were quoted pretty close to other, similar vehicles. A glass vendor did tell me that it would be about 505$total cost, due to it being a less common vehicle and due to these sensor things. I will base the decision on several things. In the last 10 years or so, I have replaced 6 windshields, in whatever car I had been commuting at the time. Sometimes, the cracks spread so quickly, I could not have them repaired in time(Altima). It is kind of an anomaly around here that many, many vehicles you see have cracked windshields. There may be other factors. I might wait some more time to see if some of the issues with the sound system get updated, as I have been reading they may be in the next model year. I guess it is like anything else, you take advantage of one strength, but have a minus somewhere else. If I bought a Honda(which I am not) I would have to live with the interior that reminds me of a minivan, pedestrian handling, and worries about the transmission and ball joints, which are problems in Hondas. At this point, I'm pretty much down to either waiting a few months, getting the Toyota, or the CX5. As for the CX5, I preferred the way it drove, but the Toyota had the better nav/sound system definitely. I really liked the look/feel of the interior of the Mazda better, though. Either car's windshield will cost the insurance company more than the $189 that was the last replacement I had(pickup truck) which is older and much less sophisticated.

 

THE WINDSHIELDS ARE A HUGE PROBLEM!! I have a 2014 Mazda 3 and have already had 2 spider cracks fixed. About 25% of the stones that hit the windshields cause a spider crack. This morning, I final saw what I've been hearing about... the massive line crack all the way across. There is either a default in the glass, installation and/or engineering with the windshields. I have an appointment to have the glass replaced in 2 days. Maybe a better quality windshield and installtion will help.

 

i think it goes a lot deeper than those who are poo pooing the windshield. think about it. several years ago, the windshields were separated from the body by a rubber gasket/seal. so the glass could stay rigid while there might have been some body flex. now, the glass is ADHERED to the body, to increase body rigidity/stiffness. so, if there is some body flex, and glass dont flex like the rest of the body, it's gonna break. while i have not really paid much attention, it seems like most of the cracking is in the same area. i think mazda has body flex problems. when i worked for a different car marque years ago, and the glass started to come adhered, there were cracked windshields, which were ALL replaced under warranty. not a whole bunch, but certainly way more than before the adhered glass. also, this car marque is known for being smooth and quiet. the entire drivetrain is isolated from the chassis by bushings/rubber, so some flex would be absorbed by the suspension. but they stepped up, and did not even blink when confronted with warranty problems. i can remember when this marque had transmission failure problems, and a real biggee, engine failure. on both occasions, the company EXTENDED the warranty on the trans/engines to 100k, and they warranteed THOUSANDS.

 

I just bought a 2015 CX5 Touring. I was worried about this windshield issue so I bought a 3rd party insurance coverage from the dealer. I paid $500 (asking price was $795) for a no deductible policy which covers the windshield, dings and dents, key replacement, towing, car rental, and a few other items. This additional expense makes sense for me because I will drive a lot on city freeways with many big rigs and trucks that kick up rocks and debris. I have a couple of cracked windshield to prove that. Since my auto insurance deductible is high too, I choose to get the insurance to hedge my costs. My theory is 1 cracked windshield and 1 lost key would pay for this $500 over the next 5 years.

 

I am just curious about that third party insurance, is that some standard extended warranty/insurance that all mazda dealerships provide? I saw your reply to another post regarding this and was considering getting it myself if that is available when and if I do decide to buy the car. I agree, the car is fantastic to drive and is wayyyy better than the others in it's segment, but I'm a little concerned with the number of places the cracked windshield has shown up.

 

Manufactures have had windscreens "adhered" or "Glued" in place for more than 30 years. Its not a new idea. Can someone who has a CX5 look at the logo/label on their windscreen and tell me who its made by or where its made?

 

My windshield cracked on my 2014 Grand Touring (split right down the middle from the roof between the Grand Touring sensors) when the vehicle was 1 year old (it is now 2). The dealer confirmed it was a stress crack and replaced it free of charge.