2018 Mazda CX-5 Problems

116 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Engine · verdict CAUTION 63/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Engine94
Power Train17
Unknown Or Other9
Engine And Engine Cooling3
Forward Collision Avoidance3
Fuel/Propulsion System2

In the owners’ words

“The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife pulled over and discovered that there was oil leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the #5 and #7 cylinder heads were cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle wa”NHTSA complaint, 2018 Mazda CX-5 owner
“Cylinder head suddenly cracked, causing heavy oil leakage onto hot exhaust manifold. Car started to smoke heavily. Vehicle turned off before potential engine fire.”NHTSA complaint, 2018 Mazda CX-5 owner
“2018 Mazda CX-5 AWD with 2.5 L engine, non turbo. Car has 98,914 miles. Rear differential started leaking oil. Dealer stated that the differential needs to be replaced, for $5,003.33. Manual does not provide for oil change intervals. Lifetime oil. 98K must be the life expectancy. Has not been fixed yet. Sitting in the garage dripping oil onto a piece of cardboard. independent shop looking for a low mileage used dif”NHTSA complaint, 2018 Mazda CX-5 owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
25/06/2018Air Bags:Side/Window SAFETYMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. In the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment. As such, thes
27/06/2019EngineMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
12/11/2021Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump SAFETYMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform

Questions owners ask

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

On the federal record it scores 63/100: 116 owner complaints (14.5 per year on the road) and 3 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Mazda CX-5?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Engine, with 94 of 128 categorised reports.

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The 2018 Mazda CX-5 scored 63/100 on the federal record.

Full 2018 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll CX-5 yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking