2018 Mazda CX-5

350 complaints on file, page 1 of 18.

1. Filed Sep 25, 2026Failure Sep 25, 2026Northford, CTPower 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 consumer.

   NHTSA complaint 11766937
2. Filed Sep 24, 2026Failure Sep 11, 2026Cherry Hill, NJEngine

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11766802
3. Filed Aug 19, 2026Failure Aug 10, 2026183,540 milesLower Lake, CAEngine

   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. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,540.

   NHTSA complaint 11758021
4. Filed Jul 23, 2026Failure Jun 23, 2026100,000 milesSchoharie, NYEngine and engine cooling

   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 was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11752421
5. Filed Jul 22, 2026Failure Jul 1, 2025Vista, CAEngine

   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 Marcos, CA), the vehicle was diagnosed with a leaking cylinder head gasket requiring full cylinder head removal and replacement. I am aware that Mazda issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB #SA-031-21 specifically addressing a cylinder head casting defect in 2018–2019 CX-5 models equipped with the 2.5L Skyactiv-G engine with cylinder deactivation — the exact configuration of my vehicle. This is a documented manufacturing defect, not normal wear and tear, and the repair estimate I have received is $4,800.84. Given that this failure is tied to a known defect acknowledged by Mazda, I am requesting that Mazda Motor America cover the cost of this repair in full, or provide a clear explanation of what goodwill or warranty coverage is available to me. I am happy to provide the repair estimate, vehicle documentation, and any additional information needed to process this request promptly. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response. [XXX] Cell: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11752039
6. Filed Jul 14, 2026Failure Jul 14, 2026seneca, SCFuel/propulsion system

   Check engine light on when read it comes back with P0171 code

   NHTSA complaint 11750286
7. Filed Jul 2, 2026Failure Jul 1, 202683,000 milesSartell, MNEngine

   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 odor coming from the engine compartment due to an oil leakage. The smoke impaired visibility while driving. The most recent failure had occurred while driving approximately 35 MPH on a city roadway. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and then to the dealer for further inspection. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a cracked cylinder head and recommended that the vehicle be taken to the dealer for additional diagnostic tests. The dealer diagnosed the cylinder head as porous and informed the contact that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the repair would not be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred intermittently and became more frequent and severe during hotter weather. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11747961
8. Filed Jul 1, 2026Failure May 4, 2026Fairfield, CAPower train

   My Mazda 2018, CX-5, Grand Touring, was diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head at 64,599 miles. This issue could posed a safety hazard for not only us but others on the road by: *Engine Failure / Sudden Loss of Power-A crack allows coolant and oil to mix or leak, leading to overheating and potential catastrophic engine seizure. A seized engine can cause sudden, unexpected loss of power — especially dangerous at highway speeds or during lane changes/merges. *Oil and Coolant on the Road-Leaking fluids drip onto the roadway, creating slick surfaces for motorcyclists and other vehicles — similar to a spilled oil hazard. This is especially dangerous on curves and in wet conditions. *White Smoke / Steam Billowing from Exhaust-When coolant enters the combustion chamber, it burns off as thick white smoke. This can instantly reduce visibility for drivers behind the vehicle, potentially causing rear-end collisions. *Fire Risk-If oil leaks onto hot exhaust manifolds or engine components, it can ignite. An engine fire can spread quickly and, in traffic, puts surrounding vehicles and occupants at risk. *Debris from Engine Destruction-In extreme cases, a severely overheated or seized engine can cause internal components to fail violently. Debris from a catastrophic engine failure can damage undercarriages of nearby vehicles or become road hazards. *Stalling in High-Risk Locations-A vehicle that stalls due to engine failure in a tunnel, on a freeway on-ramp, in an intersection, or on a bridge creates an immediate collision risk for surrounding traffic. This is part of why Mazda's handling of the cylinder head defect is so problematic — it's not merely a costly repair, it's a public safety issue that arguably warrants regulatory attention (NHTSA). We had NO warning lights, no overheating issues. Repairs have been made to the cost of almost $5400.00 *Please note there are many, many people complaining of this same issue on this model of car in multiple on-line forums.

   NHTSA complaint 11747660
9. Filed Jun 18, 2026Failure Jun 6, 2026Newburyport, MAPower train

   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 11744932
10. Filed Jun 17, 2026Failure Jun 12, 2026DEL MAR, CAEngine

    I am submitting this complaint regarding a cylinder head failure on my Mazda CX-5. The vehicle has approximately 53,000 miles and has been properly maintained throughout its service life. The vehicle developed a crack in the cylinder head, which was subsequently confirmed by an authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda has previously issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) addressing cylinder head cracking on certain vehicles; however, my vehicle's VIN is not included in the covered range despite experiencing the same failure described in the TSB. The dealership initially provided a repair estimate of $8,789 plus tax to replace the cylinder head. Following further discussions, the dealership reduced the repair cost to $3,903 plus tax. They recognize that this crack is not part of normal wear and tear but due to the VIN number not being included in the recall are unable to provide full coverage. A cylinder head crack is a major engine failure that should not occur on a well-maintained vehicle with only 53,000 miles. I am concerned that vehicles outside the VIN range identified in Mazda's TSB may be experiencing the same defect and that the scope of the issue may be broader than currently recognized. The vehicle was purchased used from the same Mazda dealership that diagnosed the failure and is currently performing the repair evaluation. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this issue to determine whether additional Mazda CX-5 vehicles may be affected by the same cylinder head defect despite not being included in the existing TSB.

    NHTSA complaint 11744861
11. Filed Jun 4, 2026Failure May 6, 2026Maple Grove, MNPower train

    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 differential.

    NHTSA complaint 11742164
12. Filed Jun 4, 2026Failure Apr 1, 2026104,000 milesHolly Springs, NCEngine and engine cooling

    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle he could smell a burning odor, and added that he noticed a puddle of oil on his driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed to have a cylinder crack causing the cylinder to leak oil all over the engine. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11742070
13. Filed May 27, 2026Failure May 1, 2021Roseville, MIElectrical system, Unknown or other

    Touch Screen and/or infotainment center causing ghost touch. Available for inspection. Ghost touch (known Mazda issue) with touch screen has been changing radio stations, increasing volume to max. Will go into user settings and change guidance voice to full volume, increasing bass to full volume, fast forward songs, mute phone call feature, randomly switch from bluetooth to handset of phone. All of this is done without the driver or anyone else in the car touching anything. When this happens there is no easy fix. I cannot just stop the song, mute the volume. We have to wait for it to decide to stop and fix itself. It is a safety issue because You are driving and randomly volume goes to full blast an startles you, cannot hear what is going on around you, and hurts your ears. This is distracting and I have swerved my car because of it. Bluetooth capability is suppose to be handsfree, so if it keeps muting my call or switching to my phone, that is now a safety hazard as well. vehicle was inspected in 2021 by Mazda dealership. At that time they said the only thing they can do it remove the SIM card, and we would lose navigation. However the issue did not stop. It would cost us about $1000+ between labor and parts and inspection to get this fixed. It was addressed again in 2023 and 2025. 2025, when the infotainment system had a class action law suit but ours wouldn't be covered because its the touch screen and not the computer. No warning systems.

    NHTSA complaint 11740394
14. Filed May 19, 2026Failure Dec 12, 2025Philadelphia, PAEngine

    I took my car to the dealership because it was leaking oil and coolant. Upon verification, I was informed that my vehicle had a cracked cylinder head. They told me that the repaired will cost me $5500. Unfortunately this is an amount that I do not have. So I reached out to the Mazda Corporate and they told me that there is no repair assistance can be provided and that I should reach out to Mazda Dealership and see if they may accept to put the cost of the repair towards the Good Will Repair. Unfortunately I haven’t been successful with that either. My Mazda Corporate case number is 00450563. This issue is created safety issue with burning engine oils and fume entering the vehicle. This is well known issue with this car model and unfortunately Mazda has made a recall on any of them. While I understand that this may cause Mazda Millions if a recall is put out, it will great to assist with the ones experiencing this issue. Any assistance regarding this matter will be truly appreciated.

    NHTSA complaint 11738764
15. Filed May 17, 2026Failure May 13, 2026San Francisco, CAEngine, Power train

    Like many other complaints. My 2018 Mazda cx5 GT is having the same issue with the cracked cylinder head. I only have about 36-38k mileage on it ( I forgot the exact). Mazda dealership will not cover the cost. NEVER had an accident to the front and only one accident to the back when I got rear ended in 2019. If this is a wide spread issue, why is this not a recall? and why is it only the turbo engine gets extended warranty? The repair cost right now approximately $9,500. I never do any maintenance at Mazda so I doubt they will give me the good will assistance but I am still waiting for an answer. I hope NHSTA will do something because this issue will continue with all other owners that have the same year model.

    NHTSA complaint 11738405
16. Filed May 15, 2026Failure May 15, 2026Laguna Niguel, CAEngine, Steering

    We purchased this vehicle used from Mazda of Orange in July 2025 with 52,399 miles on it. After 6 months of ownership and approximately 3,000 miles there was a burning smell. We took it to our local mechanic and the following repairs were required: Replacement of cracked belts, Replacement of cracked axle boots, Replacement of an excessively loose front axle, Replacement of valve cover gasket. Cost was $3,000 and the dealer refused to reimburse us. Now the car is leaking oil and needs a new head gasket and cylinder head surface machined. Quote was approximately $3,500. We have requested Mazda perform this repair. Will you please look into these vehicles? These are significant defects on a car with such low miles. We also believe that some of these defects were know to the dealer but are unable to prove it. We believe our vehicle is part of a batch that has signficant mechanical defects. Current mileage of the vehicle is 56,865.

    NHTSA complaint 11738202
17. Filed May 15, 2026Failure Apr 29, 2026Aliquippa, PA, PAPower train

    My 2018 CX5 just hit 50,000 miles recently and I smelled something burning and saw smoke coming from the hood while I was stopped for a school bus. I immediately stopped driving due to fire concerns. The vehicle has a cracked cylinder which is a known issue for this vehicle. Mazda has no plans to correct this issue other than issuing a technical bulletin. I feel that Mazda should repair this at their cost because it is a defect and the vehicle only has 50,000 miles. Instead I have to pay nearly $5,000. This is hard to believe! Transcript from dealer: The technician reported an oil leak from the cylinder head, specifically indicating a crack in the number four lifter valley that is causing fluid to leak down the engine block. This issue is recognized as a known problem, and the technician will check if it is covered under warranty. Repairing the cylinder head will require significant labor, including dropping the engine, and will take some time to complete. Services being performed: - Oil change. - Inspection for oil leak issue. Recommendations: - Replacement of the cylinder head due to the identified oil leak. Multi Point Inspection $4870.22

    NHTSA complaint 11738150
18. Filed May 12, 2026Failure May 9, 2026Farmington, UTUnknown or other

    Sunroof blew out while driving down interstate highway. There was no impact that we are aware of, just a complete failure of the sunroof glass. The sunroof was closed, with the shade also closed, so no glass fell down into the vehicle. The glass blew out with a very loud explosion that startled and disoriented all within the vehicle causing us to swerve and look around for what had happened. The glass has been inspected and is being repaired by a local auto glass shop today. No warning lamps or otherwise. I have pictures of the glass if needed.

    NHTSA complaint 11737283
19. Filed May 12, 2026Failure Apr 28, 2026SAN Jose, CAService brakes, Unknown or otherCrash

    Unintended acceleration incident. I entered the parking lot of a business where the Salvation Army is located to drop off a donation. The parking spaces were on the left side. As I pulled into a parking space and was in the process of parking, the vehicle suddenly lurched/accelerated forward unexpectedly and struck the concrete wall of the building. The airbags did not deploy despite the frontal impact. No one was seriously injured, but my husband, daughter, and I experienced soreness the following day from the impact. Thankfully, I had chosen a parking space in front of a concrete wall rather than the glass storefront windows, which could have resulted in far more serious injuries or damage. I contacted my insurance company, and the vehicle has since been repaired.

    NHTSA complaint 11737223
20. Filed May 5, 2026Failure Jul 16, 2024Jacksonville, FLUnknown or other

    I received notice from Mazda about a recall on the infotainment system. The notice required me to provide as much proof of claim as possible. I provided proof from the dealership where the system was replaced. I was within filing time guidelines. Mazda administrator sent notice that my claim was denied with no reason as to why. Claim # XXX VIN [XXX] I am requesting the full amount of parts and labor that I spent for the replacement of the infotainment system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 11735940