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2018 Mazda CX-5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most CX-5 years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Mazda CX-5 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 133.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 83 of 348 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 177 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

58 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Ghost Screen, a very well know issue for Mazda. The screen change on its own, no way to fix it. Mazda recalled all their 2014-16 screen, and the 2017-18 are affected by same issue but they are not taking responsibility for it. Dealership wants to replace the screen, that's over $1,000 repair. Please make Mazda earn their mistake…

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Ghost Screen, a very well know issue for Mazda. The screen change on its own, no way to fix it. Mazda recalled all their 2014-16 screen, and the 2017-18 are affected by same issue but they are not taking responsibility for it. Dealership wants to replace the screen, that's over $1,000 repair. Please make Mazda earn their mistake.

NHTSA ODI #11563903

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2023
Unknown Or Other

The radio (aka infotainment system) goes crazy sometimes- changing radio stations, fliipping around to different settings, stations, etc, all on its own- like it's possessed. this causes a distraction to the driver and is unsafe. its also really upsetting for this to happen on a card i've only had 3 years.

NHTSA ODI #11562768

Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Infotainment system has begun exhibiting phenomenon described as "ghost touch" where options are selected randomly by the system due to touchscreen failure. This happens while the vehicle is moving and creates a significant distraction to the driver, creating a safety hazard for driver, passengers, and other cars on the road. Th…

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Infotainment system has begun exhibiting phenomenon described as "ghost touch" where options are selected randomly by the system due to touchscreen failure. This happens while the vehicle is moving and creates a significant distraction to the driver, creating a safety hazard for driver, passengers, and other cars on the road. This vehicle has not been inspected by a dealership but internet information indicates it is a known issue but a recall has not been issued from Mazda, which compromises the safety of the vehicle. No warning for incidents. This is an ongoing issue and occurs routinely during daily driving.

NHTSA ODI #11530898

Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

Infotainment system has begun exhibiting phenomenon described as "ghost touch" where options are selected randomly by the system due to touchscreen failure. This happens while the vehicle is moving and creates a significant distraction to the driver, creating a safety hazard for driver, passengers, and other cars on the road. Th…

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Infotainment system has begun exhibiting phenomenon described as "ghost touch" where options are selected randomly by the system due to touchscreen failure. This happens while the vehicle is moving and creates a significant distraction to the driver, creating a safety hazard for driver, passengers, and other cars on the road. This vehicle has not been inspected by a dealership but internet information indicates it is a known issue but a recall has not been issued from Mazda, which compromises the safety of the vehicle. No warning for incidents. This is an ongoing issue and occurs routinely during daily driving.

NHTSA ODI #11530393

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Key fob accidentally left inside vehicle when exiting and all door’s automatically locked with 3 year old child inside. No recourse other than breaking window to enter vehicle as it was in direct sunlight on 80 degree day. This dangerous scenario should not be possible and needs to be fixed.

NHTSA ODI #11525755

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2023
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof suddenly exploded on the highway for no reason

NHTSA ODI #11517512

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceUnknown Or Other

When I drive 100 to 150 fest the front camera blocked warning light come on. The only way to reset is to stop turn of car and restart, only to have it happen again and again. The main thing is when and if I can get into cruise control and I am on a major highway and have the cruise set unannounced the warning comes on and turns …

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When I drive 100 to 150 fest the front camera blocked warning light come on. The only way to reset is to stop turn of car and restart, only to have it happen again and again. The main thing is when and if I can get into cruise control and I am on a major highway and have the cruise set unannounced the warning comes on and turns off the cruise control. If there is someone close they run up on me. I have had it back to the dealer and have called Mazda, all they said was maybe the sun was setting it off, I guess I can only drive at night. The dealer had the car for over 2 weeks and did not fix it. I have recently discovered that if I keep the cruise control on it will not do it, it is very frustrating and now it is off warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11509157

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2023
Unknown Or Other

We were driving down the highway in light to medium traffic. Weather was about 40 degrees, no rain. The moonroof suddenly exploded. It does not appear to have been hit by anything. Luckily the shade was drawn so glass didnt go inside the car.

NHTSA ODI #11503560

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2022
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

The parking break is getting stuck and we are unable to release it. We have gone to various mazda showrooms and service centers but no one have been able to find the issue. We are scared that on the highways the car can malfunction. The parking break warning sign comes on on its own even when the vehicle is moving which is a big…

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The parking break is getting stuck and we are unable to release it. We have gone to various mazda showrooms and service centers but no one have been able to find the issue. We are scared that on the highways the car can malfunction. The parking break warning sign comes on on its own even when the vehicle is moving which is a big concern for us while driving. When I searched for this issue online, I can see few articles where different models of Mazda has same issue and they recalled those vehicles. Mazda service center people after charging me for the issue, suggested not to use parking brake, even I don’t use that it gets on by itself. There is a warning symbol. It is available for inspection when requested. Electronic Parking Brake Component is not working. Multiple mazda showroom people confirmed this and none of them can fix this.

NHTSA ODI #11475563

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The vehicle sometimes doesn't start. Usually it needs to sit about 30 minutes after being turned off before it starts again, but there is no guarantee that it will start again after that. I had this taken to the Mazda dealer twice to be repaired; neither time have the repairs worked. More recently, the car still refused to start…

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The vehicle sometimes doesn't start. Usually it needs to sit about 30 minutes after being turned off before it starts again, but there is no guarantee that it will start again after that. I had this taken to the Mazda dealer twice to be repaired; neither time have the repairs worked. More recently, the car still refused to start after two and a half hours of being turned off in the parking lot. I turned off the Air Conditioning system and this allowed the car to start on this occasion. However, the car was still struggling to stay on when I was stopped at red lights on my trip driving the car home. This car's problem is worsening. I keep trying to get the Mazda dealer to fix the recall, but they have not returned my calls. Can you please ask them to fix my car or buy it back from me?Thank you.

NHTSA ODI #11475015

Official recalls

3

21V875000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 12, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

19V497000 · Engine; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jun 27, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine

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.

Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

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.

Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

18V426000 · Air Bags:side/window

Jun 25, 2018

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Mazda CX-5 problems