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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

What owners actually said

348 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2024
Electrical System

My 2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring has been experiencing problems with the multimedia display for over a year now. At random times the multimedia display cycle through all the menu options (radio stations, navigation, maintenance system, etc) on its own. Makes unwanted phone calls, changes radio settings, attempts to reset maintenance r…

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My 2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring has been experiencing problems with the multimedia display for over a year now. At random times the multimedia display cycle through all the menu options (radio stations, navigation, maintenance system, etc) on its own. Makes unwanted phone calls, changes radio settings, attempts to reset maintenance reminders and computer settings. We don't know what is it is trying to do behind the scenes. This represents a risk while driving and needs to be a recall to address this issue as it is very distracting while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11618863

82,000 miles · Oct 3, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving downhill at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a cylinder head leak. The dealer replaced the cylinder head and the gasket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure…

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The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving downhill at an undisclosed speed, the oil warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with a cylinder head leak. The dealer replaced the cylinder head and the gasket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #11617823

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2024
Back Over PreventionLane Departure

The infotainment system on the Mazda consistently glitches causing vehicle settings to be changed while the vehicle is in motion or stopped. The volume changes, navigation settings change, maintenance settings change including door settings and any setting that can be controlled by the touch screen. If a phone is connected to th…

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The infotainment system on the Mazda consistently glitches causing vehicle settings to be changed while the vehicle is in motion or stopped. The volume changes, navigation settings change, maintenance settings change including door settings and any setting that can be controlled by the touch screen. If a phone is connected to the system it will make calls and stop volume on system. Additionally, when reversing and the back up camera is enabled/used the screen glitches and you can no longer see a large portion of the rear view - making it a very large safety hazard. There are thousands of people who report this and little has been done for years other than people being charged for an entire replacement and the issue just comes back. Please see duffy v. Mazda, filed this year. There has also been another Mazda model where the infotainment was identified by nhtsa to be faulty - the repair period was extended 7 years but has been expired for years now - it has not covered any of the CX models. Dealers are very aware of this.

NHTSA ODI #11617639

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Entertainment touch screen has a ghost touch, randomly will click options or turn music up or change my destination for GPS. Huge distraction, have almost ran into back of cars/ ran off the road trying to get my destination on GPS back going again.

NHTSA ODI #11616554

Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2024
Engine

First warning was the oil light came on and I became aware of a leak. When I took it to the mechanic the next day, he described a porous spot on the side of the cylinder head that had opened up and was rapidly losing oil when the engine was running. I understand that this is not a unique problem to my vehicle but is common wit…

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First warning was the oil light came on and I became aware of a leak. When I took it to the mechanic the next day, he described a porous spot on the side of the cylinder head that had opened up and was rapidly losing oil when the engine was running. I understand that this is not a unique problem to my vehicle but is common with this model year. I am concerned that the engine will run out of oil and malfunction causing loss of control at highway speed. The car is currently scheduled for confirmation of the problem with the local Mazda dealer.

NHTSA ODI #11616029

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2024
Unknown Or Other

My car has a center display that is touch screen when you're not driving but once moving you have to use controls to move around the screen. Lately as I'm driving the screen starts moving rapidly into different menus whether it's the music or time or contacts. Most recently it started changing my display from day to night. So…

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My car has a center display that is touch screen when you're not driving but once moving you have to use controls to move around the screen. Lately as I'm driving the screen starts moving rapidly into different menus whether it's the music or time or contacts. Most recently it started changing my display from day to night. So that during the day it dims so dark I can no longer use it for mapping causing safety issues. As well, I've tried getting it to stop while driving which is of course not good. Today I was using car play and playing iheart radio and suddenly it was switching to different iheart channels. I've googled and found many other Mazda owners have had the same problem. Some of have gone to the dealership and if out of warranty they've had to pay upwards to $1200. Others have posted videos showing how to DIY it. That's something I'm not going to try as it could end up creating more problems. Apparently this is a result of the touch screen. So people are going through and disconnecting the touch screen capability.

NHTSA ODI #11614227

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2024
Back Over Prevention

The center display on it own ( ghosting) changes setting randomly this impacts safety information displayed including rear camera, and distracts the driver. The cause is a defectinve digitizer on the LCD screen panel. The 2016 model year of the same car Mazda CX-5 has a simalar problem and was recalled There is no warning …

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The center display on it own ( ghosting) changes setting randomly this impacts safety information displayed including rear camera, and distracts the driver. The cause is a defectinve digitizer on the LCD screen panel. The 2016 model year of the same car Mazda CX-5 has a simalar problem and was recalled There is no warning prior to these occurances

NHTSA ODI #11613906

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

While driving through town the braking system malfunctioned and the car came to a stop in the middle of the road with messages on dash saying the smart city braking support was malfunctioning as well as brake assist. Engine light came on as well as traction control light right after the car coming to a sudden hard braking stop. …

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While driving through town the braking system malfunctioned and the car came to a stop in the middle of the road with messages on dash saying the smart city braking support was malfunctioning as well as brake assist. Engine light came on as well as traction control light right after the car coming to a sudden hard braking stop. Drove straight to shop to check engine code which was p0882. I am so afraid of this happening on the highway with my daughter in the car. There is a recall for this system but my car isn’t under the recall so I'm sure there are others that are having the issue but aren’t covered under the recall either.

NHTSA ODI #11612167

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2024
Engine

Defective sealant used on timing cover, already leaking engine oil at 85000km… also confirmed as the same engine prone to cylinder head cracking from poor casting dimensions resulting in engine oil contacting the exhaust manifold and smoking. Possible fire hazard. Engine can seize up from low oil pressure at highway speeds and l…

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Defective sealant used on timing cover, already leaking engine oil at 85000km… also confirmed as the same engine prone to cylinder head cracking from poor casting dimensions resulting in engine oil contacting the exhaust manifold and smoking. Possible fire hazard. Engine can seize up from low oil pressure at highway speeds and lock up the wheels causing an accident. Not sure why Mazda hasn’t issued a recall for this obvious safety concern… reminds me of Hyundai/Kia engine problems and now they’ve been sued and replacing thousands of engines for free.

NHTSA ODI #11611493

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2024
Engine

Engine seems that it cracked. The car has 66K and has good maintenance record. I took my 2018 CX5 to Mazda for a possible oil leak. Mechanic says block has hairline crack, is leaking oil down exhaust manifold and engine needs to be replaced. It seems a known issue with this model & Mazda is aware of the problem. There is no reca…

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Engine seems that it cracked. The car has 66K and has good maintenance record. I took my 2018 CX5 to Mazda for a possible oil leak. Mechanic says block has hairline crack, is leaking oil down exhaust manifold and engine needs to be replaced. It seems a known issue with this model & Mazda is aware of the problem. There is no recall or class action lawsuit that either of us found. Mazda has said this car in no longer under warranty. It has 66K and the engine is broken?

NHTSA ODI #11610324

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