Key FOB Doesn't Lock Doors (2023 CX-5) *Part Deux

[StylingSequ]

I posted about this issue months ago. This has been happening right from the start with my 2023 CX-5 Premium Plus. I’ll turn off the car and walk away. About 1/4 to 1/2 of the time, the door doesn’t lock.

I know this is an issue for a lot of other owners. And they have just learned to live with it. I assumed that this was an issue for all CX-5s. I was wrong.

I recently got into a fender bender and had to bring my car into the shop. Luckily, I was able to borrow my mother-in-law's 2024 CX-5 S Preferred for an entire week. Holy cow! I was shocked to find that the ride in her car was so much smoother! (I wrote about this in another post.)

I was also very surprised to learn that the key fob issue wasn't present in her car. In her car, the door locks all the time. I realized that my remote entry system is definitely broken. I'm suspecting the same is with many other Mazda owners.

I brought the car into the dealer, and they refused to fix this under the warranty. I was told by the service rep that Mazda corporate refuses to provide a code to submit for warranty repair, so that the dealer can't fix it as they won't be compensated by Mazda. I exchange numerous emails with Mazda corporate, and they refused to acknowledge the problem. They basically said that it was the dealer's problem (even though it isn't).

Anyway…I just wanted to let everyone know that this is an ongoing issue with some CX-5s. The remote entry system is definitely broken in many of their cars. You're not going crazy. It's not in your head.

I'm going to get an estimate to replace the remote entry system. And I'm going to file a small-claims lawsuit for treble damages. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[hsdejong]

I’ll turn off the car and walk away. About 1/4 to 1/2 of the time, the door doesn’t lock.
I know this is an issue for a lot of other owners. And they have just learned to live with it.

You know that after you have closed the door you have to wait for the car to beep before you walk away?

 

[N7turbo]

You know that after you have closed the door you have to wait for the car to beep before you walk away?

It's been a while since I turned off this feature, but I'm pretty sure the beep coincides with the lock engaging and that happens while you are walking away. You just can't be too quick about it. Crucially, the key can't move too far from the car before the last door closes.

 

[hsdejong]

but I'm pretty sure the beep coincides with the lock engaging and that happens while you are walking away

After you close the door you wait for the first beep.
Then you walk away from the car and hear a second beep as the doors lock.

 

[RedBaron]

I never enabled the walk-away feature. It's a damn site easier just to press the button on the remote!

 

[meow_man]

I never enabled the walk-away feature. It's a damn site easier just to press the button on the remote!

But then I have to reach into my pocket for the FOB

 

[wlong01]

But then I have to reach into my pocket for the FOB

No you don't. Just press the lock button on the arm rest after you open the door. That's what I do. Works every time.

 

[N7turbo]

No you don't. Just press the lock button on the arm rest after you open the door. That's what I do. Works every time.

I miss the old key. It fit perfectly into the little right pocket on most jeans. The current one is awkward to use.

 

[sm1ke]

@StylingSequ, before jumping to a full-on remote entry system replacement, why not go to the dealership and show the issue to a technician, comparing it against available cars in the lot to highlight the issue?

 

[ceric]

I am puzzled by the "ride smoother" part... could it be the PSI of your tires remain above 40psi? Some new cars have that issue while they sit on boat and parking lots to avoid flat spotting.

For remote. Just a guess. Do you carry your fob and cell phone in the same pocket?
The signals could interfere each other.

 

[Mike_R]

I posted about this issue months ago. This has been happening right from the start with my 2023 CX-5 Premium Plus. I’ll turn off the car and walk away. About 1/4 to 1/2 of the time, the door doesn’t lock.

I know this is an issue for a lot of other owners. And they have just learned to live with it. I assumed that this was an issue for all CX-5s. I was wrong.

I recently got into a fender bender and had to bring my car into the shop. Luckily, I was able to borrow my mother-in-law's 2024 CX-5 S Preferred for an entire week. Holy cow! I was shocked to find that the ride in her car was so much smoother! (I wrote about this in another post.)

I was also very surprised to learn that the key fob issue wasn't present in her car. In her car, the door locks all the time. I realized that my remote entry system is definitely broken. I'm suspecting the same is with many other Mazda owners.

I brought the car into the dealer, and they refused to fix this under the warranty. I was told by the service rep that Mazda corporate refuses to provide a code to submit for warranty repair, so that the dealer can't fix it as they won't be compensated by Mazda. I exchange numerous emails with Mazda corporate, and they refused to acknowledge the problem. They basically said that it was the dealer's problem (even though it isn't).

Anyway…I just wanted to let everyone know that this is an ongoing issue with some CX-5s. The remote entry system is definitely broken in many of their cars. You're not going crazy. It's not in your head.

I'm going to get an estimate to replace the remote entry system. And I'm going to file a small-claims lawsuit for treble damages. I'll let you know how it turns out.

According to Edmunds, your car has 19" wheels while your mother in law has 17" wheels.
But the outside diameter of the tire is kept the same, so your mother in law has an extra inch of tire sidewalk to cushion the ride. You can buy 17" wheels to put on your car but you'll also have to buy new tires.

Larger wheels, and narrower tires are considered premium by car manufacturers but I think it's stupid to consider them premium due to the worse ride and bumps/potholes being more likely to ruin the tire and wheel.


At least in my 2019, the doors will only automatically lock if the car can detect the key outside the car when the last door closes and if that's the case, it will beep once when the last door closes and once when the key walks away and it actually locks.
According to my manual, the key has to be within 31 inches of the driver, passenger door, or tailgates to detect it.

So I just always listen for the beep when I close the door and hit the lock button if it doesn't beep - that happens when I'm in a rush and too far away by the time the door closes.