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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 · Sep 15, 2023
Power Train

Oil leak. Smoke from the engine. Inspected by the local body shop, we were told that the leakage would probably come from cylinder head. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11544817

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2023
Air Bags

I work for a body shop and we took this seat out in order to replace the frame underneath. While the seat was sitting on the ground, no one near it, the airbag deployed. We have it on video. We have concerns about replacing the seat/airbag if it's going to randomly deploy and potentially injure our technician or the customer. Ac…

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I work for a body shop and we took this seat out in order to replace the frame underneath. While the seat was sitting on the ground, no one near it, the airbag deployed. We have it on video. We have concerns about replacing the seat/airbag if it's going to randomly deploy and potentially injure our technician or the customer. According to Mazda, there are no known recalls related to this and the customer is responsible for buying a new seat and airbag. I see online that other people have said this too, but they were driving the vehicle at the time it randomly deployed. I'm wondering if there are other complaints regarding this/a way for us to get Mazda to replace this since it seems like a part defect.

NHTSA ODI #11541662

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2023
Engine

Had an slow oil leak. The cylinder head was cracked in my engine

NHTSA ODI #11541523

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

Many incidents have occurred with this vehicle. First occurrence happened 11/25/21. Attempting to pass another vehicle and the car began slowing down and various warnings came on. Pulled off to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle and restarted without any further incident. This same thing happened 2 times in 12/2021 b…

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Many incidents have occurred with this vehicle. First occurrence happened 11/25/21. Attempting to pass another vehicle and the car began slowing down and various warnings came on. Pulled off to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle and restarted without any further incident. This same thing happened 2 times in 12/2021 both time attempting to pass another vehicle. 2nd time in December the check engine light came on. Scheduled to be seen by a mechanic with the earliest appointment on 12/31/21. Mechanic recommended taking to a licensed Mazda mechanic. Appointment was on 01/07/22. They looked at the car and fixed the issue. Can't remember the issue at that time. By 05/2022, check engine light came back on and car would start slowing down and shutting off when attempting to pass another vehicle. If RPMs would go to high, car would do this. Check engine light came back on. Took to Mazda mechanic on 06/17/22. After several troubleshooting fixes, it was determined I needed a new engine as there were parts broken missing or broken. Did not have my car for 13 weeks. Most recently, on 08/13/23, car shut off in a drive through. Towed to mechanic and needed a new camshaft. Picked up my car on 08/21/23 and within 45 minutes, car shut off while driving up a hill. Towed back to mechanic. This time there are electical issues and an ill fiitting pin. Have to take it to a licensed Mazda mechanic. Having to tow it due to how unsafe it is to drive. Reached out to Mazda with my concerns over saftey and waiting to hear back. Very concerned that this will never be resolved and that this is a very unsafe vehicle to drive.

NHTSA ODI #11541126

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2023
EngineForward Collision Avoidance

On 7/30/23, I was driving home from church, and was driving on the freeway in the fast lane when my 2018 Mazda Cx-5, that was only 5 years old, with only over 33.2K miles on it, started to stall. Thankfully, it didn't come to a complete stop, but slowed down tremendously, and had at least 5 malfunctioning lights come on all at o…

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On 7/30/23, I was driving home from church, and was driving on the freeway in the fast lane when my 2018 Mazda Cx-5, that was only 5 years old, with only over 33.2K miles on it, started to stall. Thankfully, it didn't come to a complete stop, but slowed down tremendously, and had at least 5 malfunctioning lights come on all at once. The car wouldn't go over 25 miles afterwards. I was very thankful to make it home safely, but this was very alarming, since I never had any issues with that car, and always kept it very well maintained. For a car that was only 5 years old and had only 33.2K miles on it, to experience such a drastic problem, is very confusing. It was very concerning that the car almost came to a complete stop unexpectedly without any warning ahead of time, especially while driving in the fast lane on a freeway. I also took pictures of the malfunctioning lights that came on right after the incident took place. I had the car towed into the dealer the next day, and they told me that it was unusual that my engine would do that. They said that it needed a tune up earlier than expected. I was told that the 3rd cylinder was misfiring, and also when the engine isn't working properly, everything else in the car would shut down. Now, why would a car that's been very well maintained, with only 33.2k miles on it need a tune-up? And I always kept up with the oil changes on time. I found out that there was an engine recall on these particular models, but I was told by Mazda that my VIN # did not qualify; however, what I experienced, did fit the description of the recall. I've since then, decided to trade in the car, because I was just too afraid to continue driving it after this experience. I am however, very upset that I had to give up a car that I invested a lot of money in and took very good care of, and only had 33.2k Miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11540195

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2023
Engine

When I turn my car off I get ignition switch and it stalls then my engine come on and off

NHTSA ODI #11533581

26,000 miles · Jul 19, 2023
VisibilityInjury

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 mph, the sunroof exploded without impact or warning. The sunroof shattered into several small pieces. The glass fell on the driver and she sustained injuries to her body and legs, but medical attention was not provided. The contact cal…

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The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 mph, the sunroof exploded without impact or warning. The sunroof shattered into several small pieces. The glass fell on the driver and she sustained injuries to her body and legs, but medical attention was not provided. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred her to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #11533295

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 7, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed Control

Cruise control suddenly ceased operating and I believe that is disabling the automatic collision avoidance system.

NHTSA ODI #11530895

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…

Read full complaint

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

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