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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 · May 18, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

Approximately 9:15am 5/16/21 I was driving on the road when my engine stalled and went out. Was stuck in the middle of the road for a couple of minutes while I tried to restart the car. My vehicle was recalled for this very purpose but 13 days prior I went into the dealership to fix the issue and get a software update. After…

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Approximately 9:15am 5/16/21 I was driving on the road when my engine stalled and went out. Was stuck in the middle of the road for a couple of minutes while I tried to restart the car. My vehicle was recalled for this very purpose but 13 days prior I went into the dealership to fix the issue and get a software update. After said update I experienced the recall issue on my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11417610

38,650 miles · May 13, 2021
Engine

SITUATION: DRIVING UPHILL ON HWY 120 ON NEW PRIEST ROAD, BIG OAK FLAT, CA, TWO LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD. SLOW CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND A DELIVERY TRUCK TAILGATING. SLOW CAR EVENTUALLY MOVES ASIDE IN A TURNOUT AND I ACCELERATE TO OPEN UP SPACE BETWEEN MYSELF AND WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE TRUCK BUT SOMEHOW THE SLOW CAR RETURNED TO THE …

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SITUATION: DRIVING UPHILL ON HWY 120 ON NEW PRIEST ROAD, BIG OAK FLAT, CA, TWO LANE MOUNTAIN ROAD. SLOW CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND A DELIVERY TRUCK TAILGATING. SLOW CAR EVENTUALLY MOVES ASIDE IN A TURNOUT AND I ACCELERATE TO OPEN UP SPACE BETWEEN MYSELF AND WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE THE TRUCK BUT SOMEHOW THE SLOW CAR RETURNED TO THE DRIVING LANE AHEAD OF THE TRUCK. I CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE TO ATTEMPT TO OPEN UP SPACE BETWEEN MYSELF AND THE CAR BEHIND ME WHEN I LOST POWER, THE CAR BEHIND ME MOVES TO THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE TO AVOID REAR ENDING MY CAR THAT IS RUNNING IN DEGRADED MODE (ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT, BASICALLY MOVING ON IDLE POWER) AND NARROWLY MISSES AN ONCOMING CAR AS I MOVE TOWARDS THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RIGHT LANE. TRUCK BEHIND ME HAS TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME. THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OVER TO AT THAT LOCATION IMMEDIATE LOCATION. I PULL OVER A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FURTHER AT A SAFE LOCATION. GRADE WAS PERHAPS 4% TO 6%. WEATHER: HOT 90 DEGREES SPEED: ACCELERATING FROM 35 TO 50 MPH (GUESS) DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS: SMART CITY BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING, PLUS A LOT OF OTHER WARNING LIGHTS LIT INCLUDING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTERMATH: I PULLED SAFELY OVER, STOPPED THE ENGINE, WAITED A WHILE AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE CAR RETURNED TO IT'S NORMAL DRIVING BEHAVIOR AND COMPLETED MY TRIP. OTHER INFORMATION: THIS IS THE 3RD OCCURRENCE OF THIS BEHAVIOR. EACH TIME I HAVE HAD MAZDA LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. 1ST OCCURRENCE THEY REPLACED THE CYLINDER COIL, 2ND OCCURRENCE THEY REPLACED A SPARK PLUG FOR MISFIRE. 3RD OCCURRENCE, TO BE DETERMINED.

NHTSA ODI #11416469

19,000 miles · Apr 1, 2021
Unknown Or Other

THE CAR COLOR IS SOUL RED AND THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF. I DRIVE THE CAR SHORT DISTANCES UNDER 40MPH AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE PAINT IS CHIPPING MORE AND MORE. IT'S ALMOST LIKE BIG ROCKS ARE HITTING THE PAINT BUT THERE IS NO DEBRIS WHERE I DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11406034

45,000 miles · Mar 14, 2021
Engine

WHEN TAKING VEHICLE IN FOR RECOMMENDED 45K MILE SERVICE, DEALER DISCOVERED WARPED HEAD CYLINDER AND LEAKING OIL. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WARNING EVER CAME ON! NO WARNING. MAZDA IS REPLACING ENGINE PARTS UNDER VEHICLE WARRANTY

NHTSA ODI #11402855

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2021
Air BagsEngine

I PURCHASED THIS VIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO, I WAS TOLD IT WAS CERTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN LOOKING UP THE VIN ON WWW.NHTSA.GOV THIS AM, IT SAYS THE RECALL #3719F WAS NOT FIXED; THE DEALERSHIP JUST SENT ME A SCREEN SHOT FROM MAZDA NORTH AMERICA OPERATIONS WARRANTY VEHICLE INQUIRY REPORT, AND IT SHOWS THE REPAIR DONE. WHO DO I…

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I PURCHASED THIS VIN LESS THAN 24 HOURS AGO, I WAS TOLD IT WAS CERTIFIED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IN LOOKING UP THE VIN ON WWW.NHTSA.GOV THIS AM, IT SAYS THE RECALL #3719F WAS NOT FIXED; THE DEALERSHIP JUST SENT ME A SCREEN SHOT FROM MAZDA NORTH AMERICA OPERATIONS WARRANTY VEHICLE INQUIRY REPORT, AND IT SHOWS THE REPAIR DONE. WHO DO I BELIEVE? THE VEHICLE IS AT MY HOME ON THE DRIVE WAY, STATIONARY. I'M ASKING THE DEALERSHIP TO PICK THE CAR UP, AND REFUND MY $100 DOLLARS. THEY WANT $400.00 MORE WHEN I GET PAID 2/25.

NHTSA ODI #11396913

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2021
Unknown Or Other

MY PAINT HAS BEEN CHIPPING ON THIS VEHICLE THEY REPAINTED THE HOOD BUT THE CAR IS STILL EXPERIENCING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CHIPS I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NO AVAIL HOWEVER THERE ARE SEVERAL ARTICLES THAT THIS SOUL RED COLOR IS DEFECTIVE AND I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BY THE GENERAL MANAGER AT FLOW MAZDA IN FAYETTEVILLE NC MY CAR DOES NOT …

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MY PAINT HAS BEEN CHIPPING ON THIS VEHICLE THEY REPAINTED THE HOOD BUT THE CAR IS STILL EXPERIENCING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CHIPS I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NO AVAIL HOWEVER THERE ARE SEVERAL ARTICLES THAT THIS SOUL RED COLOR IS DEFECTIVE AND I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT BY THE GENERAL MANAGER AT FLOW MAZDA IN FAYETTEVILLE NC MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE 26000 MILES AND WAS STORED IN A GARAGE

NHTSA ODI #11396209

28,000 miles · Dec 8, 2020
Air BagsEngineCrash

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS RAINING. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS ADVISED I MOST LIKELY HYDROPLANED. THE VEHICLE FINALLY SLOWED DOWN AND BACKED INTO A GUARDRAIL. ONLY THE RIM OF THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THE IMPACT FELT LIKE THE IMPACT FELT WHEN HIT…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS RAINING. I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SPINNING UNCONTROLLABLY. I WAS ADVISED I MOST LIKELY HYDROPLANED. THE VEHICLE FINALLY SLOWED DOWN AND BACKED INTO A GUARDRAIL. ONLY THE RIM OF THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE WAS DAMAGED. THE IMPACT FELT LIKE THE IMPACT FELT WHEN HITTING A CURB TOO HARD. THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH A SHOULDER, SO AFTER THE TIRE HIT THE GUARDRAIL, I MOVED TO THE CAR TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD TO BE ON THE SHOULDER. ONCE I ARRIVED AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE BRAKE ASSIST LIGHT CAME ON AND THE POLICE WERE AUTOMATICALLY CALLED. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE COLLISION SHOP CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I'M TERRIFIED THAT THE AIRBAGS CAN DEPLOY AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON. I AM ALSO TERRIFIED THAT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SINCE THEY DEPLOYED AT LEAST 10-15 SECONDS AFTER THE IMPACT WITH THE GUARDRAIL OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #11378437

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2020
Structure

MAZDA'S SOUL CRYSTAL RED PAINT ON MY CX-5 THAT HAS ONLY 12000 MILES AND IS GARAGED DAILY HAS 12 OR MORE CHIPS ON THE HOOD AND SEVERAL ON THE DOOR. THIS COLOR WAS A $700 DOLLAR OPTION AND THE PAINT IS INFERIOR IN QUALITY AND EASILY CHIPS. HAVE READ ON LINE OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER MAZDA OWNERS COMPLAIN OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH TH…

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MAZDA'S SOUL CRYSTAL RED PAINT ON MY CX-5 THAT HAS ONLY 12000 MILES AND IS GARAGED DAILY HAS 12 OR MORE CHIPS ON THE HOOD AND SEVERAL ON THE DOOR. THIS COLOR WAS A $700 DOLLAR OPTION AND THE PAINT IS INFERIOR IN QUALITY AND EASILY CHIPS. HAVE READ ON LINE OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER MAZDA OWNERS COMPLAIN OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THEIR PAINT. A RECALL SHOULD BE INSTITUTED.

NHTSA ODI #11354991

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2020
Structure

THE PAINT EASILY CHIPS DESPITE IT BEING A $1000 UPGRADED PAINT COLOR. WE WERE TOLD BY MULTIPLE MAZDA DEALERS THAT THE 7 STAGE PAINT MAKES IT SOFT AND EASY TO CHIP. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD, ALL MAZDA PAINTS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS $1000 UPGRADE. I HAVE FILLED DOZENS OF THE…

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THE PAINT EASILY CHIPS DESPITE IT BEING A $1000 UPGRADED PAINT COLOR. WE WERE TOLD BY MULTIPLE MAZDA DEALERS THAT THE 7 STAGE PAINT MAKES IT SOFT AND EASY TO CHIP. THIS IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE STANDARD, ALL MAZDA PAINTS SHOULD HAVE THE SAME PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY, ESPECIALLY IF IT IS $1000 UPGRADE. I HAVE FILLED DOZENS OF THESE CHIPS AND APPEAR DAILY, IT IS EVIDENT BY THOUSANDS OF REPORTS ONLINE THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DEFECT ON MAZDAS BEHALF.

NHTSA ODI #11353285

2,000 miles · Sep 4, 2020
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS RESTARTED. WHILE THE PUSH-TO-START WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE REVVED UP HIGH, STALLED, AND RESTARTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE RADIO WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS RESTARTED. WHILE THE PUSH-TO-START WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE REVVED UP HIGH, STALLED, AND RESTARTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE RADIO WAS ALSO INOPERABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GUNTHER MAZDA (1800 S STATE RD 7, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33317, (954) 420-6565) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY, A/C MOTOR AND AN UNKNOWN CONTROLLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #11353214

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