New CX-5 pulls to the right even though alignment is good

[MrpCFsgU]

I recently purchased a 2025 CX-5 and noticed right away that it tends to pull to the right. I'm constantly having to tug left on the wheel. I checked the tire pressures and they were all at 36 PSI. I brought it to the dealer and they checked the alignment - everything reads almost perfect. They said they couldn't make it any better if they tried. Has anyone else experienced this? Mazda covers one alignment check within the first 12 months, so I can't go to another dealer for another check without paying for it. I'm going to start swapping my front tires to see it that make any difference, but I'm pretty sure it won't. If that doesn't work, what else could it be?

These were the toe measurements in degrees:
LF: 0.10 RF: 0.09
LR: 0.12 RR: 0.03

 

[youri]

It might just be the slope of the road. Most road slopes to the right for water drainage. Some cars are more sensitive to it than others. Try it on the left lane of a divided highway or in a long parking lot and see if it still pulls to the right.

Other reasons the car could pull to one side would be brake caliper stuck or stuck parking brake

 

[MrpCFsgU]

The crown of the road definitely impacts how severe it is. It feels much more sensitive to it than my old CX-5. I've tried exactly what you suggested - I drove in the center of various divided highways and it still tends the right. It even takes noticeably more effort to turn left than to turn right. The only time I can get it to go straight for a while is when there there is a slope in the road to the left.

 

[erhayes]

A four wheel alignment check is in order in this case

 

[youri]

You should bring it back to the dealer and have them test drive it. If they say it is normal you can ask them to take a drive in a another cx-5 to compare. Get them to decide to do another alignment or to suggest a solution. That way you won’t be stuck with the bill. Ho see them and just say: “ You have done the alignement and it still pulls to the right.”

Even if Mazda only covers one alignment, they are still on the hook to solve the issue.

 

[HyFlyer]

Brand new 2025 that you just paid $30-$40k+ on? Yeah, your dealer needs to solve this to your satisfaction.

 

[MrpCFsgU]

Yeah, I'm going to go back to the dealer and have them test drive it. Hopefully they can get to the bottom of it. If they say they won't fix it, I'll contact Mazda customer service.

 

[madar]

Switch the 2 front tires around

 

[MrpCFsgU]

I just switched the front tires and so far it seems to be better. I'll drive it another day or two on some other roads. When I was swapping the tires, I noticed that the number of threads showing on each tie rod was significantly different.

 

[Jmaz]

I just switched the front tires and so far it seems to be better. I'll drive it another day or two on some other roads. When I was swapping the tires, I noticed that the number of threads showing each tie rod was significantly different.

View attachment 336286View attachment 336287

Makes me wonder if there is a problem in the steering rack or the electric assist (on the steering column under the dash) has a centering problem.

 

[dunhillmc]

Did they print out the alignment report for you?
Is the problem on a particular road or any road? Many roads have a slope to the right

 

[Drocca92]

If I counted correctly on the tie rod threads looks like on one side might be about 9 threads vs. 11 ok the other side. Overall I would think that is normal and not significant. Not like 4 on one side and 16 on the other.

I noticed my new CX-5 is way more sensitive to road crown/camber where it would pull and get a little squirmy with perpendicular cracks with road surface imperfections. Previous to the CX-5 I was driving a Honda Ridgeline with near perfect tire wear and straight driving. The same roads didn’t affect handling on the Ridgeline, although the Ridgeline has a longer wheelbase and is an entirely different vehicle it did drive and handle very well.

 

[gazelle]

I had (and still have) exactly the same issue with my 2021 - it's tends to swerve all the time. My previous cars (including 2016 CX5) would just drive straight, while with this one I have to constantly apply effort to make it go straight. However there's no particular direction it tends to swerve to, it goes left or right randomly.

 

[madar]

I just switched the front tires and so far it seems to be better. I'll drive it another day or two on some other roads. When I was swapping the tires, I noticed that the number of threads showing on each tie rod was significantly different.

View attachment 336286 View attachment 336287

It's a common problem when two tires aren't quite made the same. I doubt your toe is off unless the steering wheel isn't centered, but the fact that you saw a difference when you switched the tries around makes me believe it's a tire issue, it's nothing serious. When you rotate them you'll probably see the issue change. I have that issue on my Scion now. Bought a new set of tires and one of them makes the car pull to the side, I just swapped them around, no more issue.

Front End Pulls After Tire Rotation

 

[Drocca92]

I had (and still have) exactly the same issue with my 2021 - it's tends to swerve all the time. My previous cars (including 2016 CX5) would just drive straight, while with this one I have to constantly apply effort to make it go straight. However there's no particular direction it tends to swerve to, it goes left or right randomly.

I have heard of memory steer where the rack sticks causing the direction to lock up somewhat. Otherwise sounds like too much outward toe.

 

[Jmaz]

I have heard of memory steer where the rack sticks causing the direction to lock up somewhat. Otherwise sounds like too much outward toe.

There's "memory steer" that can also be caused by sticking ball joints and tie rod ends. Had it happen on a previous car. The steering wouldn't stay returned to natural center. Would correct left and it would stay stuck, then return to right and same. Constantly correcting from left or right back to center until road surface change would require correction and the back and forth process kept repeating. Fixed it by injecting grease through the boots into the ball joints and tie rods directly with a grease needle (both were sealed joints). Eventually all got replaced when the time came.

 

[Drocca92]

There's "memory steer" that can also be caused by sticking ball joints and tie rod ends. Had it happen on a previous car. The steering wouldn't stay returned to natural center. Would correct left and it would stay stuck, then return to right and same. Constantly correcting from left or right back to center until road surface change would require correction and the back and forth process kept repeating. Fixed it by injecting grease through the boots into the ball joints and tie rods directly with a grease needle (both were sealed joints). Eventually all got replaced when the time came.

Makes sense. Those joints on cars today are assumed to have some lube from the factory assembly from the supplier. I suppose you could have a new car without properly lubricated joints causing the car to drift by way of somewhat locking up.

 

[Cx5KF]

I recently purchased a 2025 CX-5 and noticed right away that it tends to pull to the right. I'm constantly having to tug left on the wheel. I checked the tire pressures and they were all at 36 PSI. I brought it to the dealer and they checked the alignment - everything reads almost perfect. They said they couldn't make it any better if they tried. Has anyone else experienced this? Mazda covers one alignment check within the first 12 months, so I can't go to another dealer for another check without paying for it. I'm going to start swapping my front tires to see it that make any difference, but I'm pretty sure it won't. If that doesn't work, what else could it be?

These were the toe measurements in degrees:
LF: 0.10 RF: 0.09
LR: 0.12 RR: 0.03

Usually the toe was to be same number or off by 1-2 so the back 12 and 3 i alot i find

 

[PTSanchez]

They said they couldn't make it any better if they tried. Has anyone else experienced this? Mazda covers one alignment check within the first 12 months, so I can't go to another dealer for another check without paying for it. I'm going to start swapping my front tires to see it that make any difference, but I'm pretty sure it won't. If that doesn't work, what else could it be?

These were the toe measurements in degrees:
LF: 0.10 RF: 0.09
LR: 0.12 RR: 0.03

Suggest trying this tire swap, & if no love is found there: take the measurements printout (above) to a reputable independent alignment shop for a 2nd opinion. G' Luck!

 

[GrampaSlade]

It's a new car. Stop working and spending money on something that Mazda is responsible for