2018 Mazda Cx-5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (131) · Power Train (35) · Service Brakes (22)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Cx-5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
83 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2021-11-12 · campaign 21V875000 · 121,038 vehicles
Defect: Mazda 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, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 2019-06-27 · campaign 19V497000 · 262,220 vehicles
Defect: Mazda 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.
Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
Air Bags:side/Window 2018-06-25 · campaign 18V426000 · 682 vehicles
Defect: Mazda 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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk: If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2718F.
Service bulletins (634)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-11 · SA-041-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
Engine 2026-08-10 · 01-010-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 description some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2). this is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fittin
Engine 2026-06-19 · SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. sa-061/25 12/17/25 description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by ask
Power Train 2026-05-01 · 01-008-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. this may be caused by insufficient sealing at the driv
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-30 · SA-031-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged vin plate or vehicle certification label. to obtain a replacement vin plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact dag (dealer assistance group) using vin plate request form available on
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Showing the 6 most recent of 634 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Engine“my 2018 mazda cx-5 touring (2.5l non-turbo engine with cylinder deactivation) developed a burning oil smell that steadily worsened over several days. on xxx, at about 61,300 miles, i saw smoke coming from the engine compartment after driving. the engine had not overheated, and the car was regularly maintained. on xxx, an independent repair shop (a…”
2026-10-24 · Engine“2.5l skyactive engine - burning smell accompanied by blue smoke from engine compartment. yes, available for review on request. unknown source of smoke and burning smell may be a potential complete engine damage risk. yes, mazda dealer confirmed leaking engine oil. no watling lamps / lights / telltales on cluster. …”
2026-10-08 · Engine“cracked cylinder head- factory defect, causing oil to leak onto exhaust manifold. smoke fills engine bay and cab through air vents, very high concern of engine bay fire. 2018 mazda cx5 non turbo 2.5 sky active engine. mazda knows of this defect and will not proved remedy. …”
2026-09-25 · Power Train“there has been numerous report of the mazda cx 5 having failure rear differential. i just purchased a 2018 mazda cx five for my daughter in september 2026 i now am experiencing this issue on the rear diff. the dealer will not cover the repair since it’s as is purchase mazda should take this as a recall and fix the vehicle for the safety of the cons…”
2026-09-24 · Engine“2018 mazda cx-5 2.5l na engine cracked cylinder head and blown head gasket with leaking oil onto exhaust manifold resulting in white smoke & burning oil smell. no engine light. issue confirmed by dealer and independent shop. commonly reported issue amongst 2018-2021 mazda cx-5 owners either naturally aspirated engines.…”
2026-08-19 · Engine · 183,540 mi“the contact owns a 2018 mazda cx-5. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was leaking engine oil, and there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood. the contact stated that upon further inspection, there was a puddle of engine oil on the ground while the vehicle was idling. no warning light was illuminated. th…”
2026-07-23 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 100,000 mi“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…”
2026-07-22 · Engine“i am writing to formally document a significant engine failure on my 2018 mazda cx-5 grand touring (vin: [xxx], license: [xxx], odometer: 78,159 miles). the vehicle began exhibiting visible smoke from under the hood and severe oil leakage — oil was actively pooling beneath the car and leaving a trail. upon inspection by cal west auto center (san m…”
2026-07-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“check engine light on when read it comes back with p0171 code …”
2026-07-02 · Engine · 83,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 mazda cx-5. the contact stated that white smoke was coming from the engine compartment whenever the vehicle reached normal operating temperature. the contact stated that smoke entered the passenger’s side compartment through the air vents and was coming from underneath the hood. the contact stated that there was a burning od…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.