Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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 4, 2025
Back Over PreventionLane Departure
Back up cameras fail infotainment system reboots and maps on the system inadvertently counts stops plus changes volume at loudspeaker telling me “this is the level “ and is on highest volume. Which you can’t turn down. All are dangerously interfering with driving. Please put pressure on Mazda to fix and not just update softwa…
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Back up cameras fail infotainment system reboots and maps on the system inadvertently counts stops plus changes volume at loudspeaker telling me “this is the level “ and is on highest volume. Which you can’t turn down. All are dangerously interfering with driving. Please put pressure on Mazda to fix and not just update software when the problem has been fixed called CMU
NHTSA ODI #11685123
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2025
Engine
I own a 2018 Mazda CX-5. I currently have 64,770 miles on the car. I have had a burning smell and smoke coming from the engine. The car was taken to the dealer (John Kennedy Mazda Conshohocken) and I was told it was fixed by replacing a gasket. The smell and smoke persisted. I took it back to the dealer and now I am told there i…
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I own a 2018 Mazda CX-5. I currently have 64,770 miles on the car. I have had a burning smell and smoke coming from the engine. The car was taken to the dealer (John Kennedy Mazda Conshohocken) and I was told it was fixed by replacing a gasket. The smell and smoke persisted. I took it back to the dealer and now I am told there is a leaking cylinder head. I do not feel safe driving this car especially with my kids in the car while the engine is smoking. I have had to pull over on the highway due to this. No warning lights were on until a week prior to taking it back a second time when my oil light finally came on.
NHTSA ODI #11685038
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2025
Engine
Engine Cylinder heads started to leak at 75k miles causing oil and coolant to leak and puddle. This was after a fuel pump recall.
NHTSA ODI #11680493
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2025
Unknown Or Other
Infotainment system acts randomly, changing to max volume during driving, startling driver. Also changes stations, skips audio programs and distracting driver. Rear view camera has intermittently failed to show video feed when driving in reverse.
NHTSA ODI #11673041
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
The radio changes stations by itself, speakers/music goes in and out. The screen freezes and cannot change stations. And also the car lags on taking off sometimes. Often smells like fuel when you turn on the car, Assuming a fuel pump issue, not sure. I spoke to the salesman who sold me the car (adam) within less than 30 days of…
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The radio changes stations by itself, speakers/music goes in and out. The screen freezes and cannot change stations. And also the car lags on taking off sometimes. Often smells like fuel when you turn on the car, Assuming a fuel pump issue, not sure. I spoke to the salesman who sold me the car (adam) within less than 30 days of having the vehicle and told me the electrical issue with radio would be covered. Then when I called to have the issue fixed I was told it wasnt going to fixed on their behalf. This car was sold to me with a few issue that I was not aware at the time of purchase.
NHTSA ODI #11669056
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2025
Engine
While waiting at a stop light the engine will turn off. This has happened three times since I’ve owned the car 2/16/2025.
NHTSA ODI #11667755
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2025
Unknown Or Other
The touch screen infotainment system has the well known “Ghost Touch.” While I am driving, the touch screen can at random, activate buttons, make phone calls, change navigation systems, and activate any other features through the display. It can at times create an extremely dangerous situation while I am driving because the driv…
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The touch screen infotainment system has the well known “Ghost Touch.” While I am driving, the touch screen can at random, activate buttons, make phone calls, change navigation systems, and activate any other features through the display. It can at times create an extremely dangerous situation while I am driving because the drivers attention is suddenly and at random being taken from the road. This happens with increasing frequency and there is no way to deactivate the touch screen. Mazda is aware that this issue is widespread and has done nothing about it, leaving it up to drivers to decide if they want to shell out hundreds of dollars to have the issue fixed or continue driving the vehicle under dangerous situations.
NHTSA ODI #11664870
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2025
Engine
Issue with the engine cylinder head leaking engine oil from the side of the cylinder head, where the casting has a defect. Leaks engine oil onto the flashing for the exhaust and exhaust manifold, where it could catch fire. The problem has been confirmed and diagnosed by a licensed mechanic. However, the dealer would not take re…
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Issue with the engine cylinder head leaking engine oil from the side of the cylinder head, where the casting has a defect. Leaks engine oil onto the flashing for the exhaust and exhaust manifold, where it could catch fire. The problem has been confirmed and diagnosed by a licensed mechanic. However, the dealer would not take responsibility for repair or assistance in repair. There are no warnings, while driving and after stopping, the smell of burning oil comes into the car and also smoke from the engine compartment.
NHTSA ODI #11664397
Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2025
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes
Sometimes, the breaks will not go all the way down to the floor and act like theyre not working. it's very odd and only does it once in a while. i have constant issues with the technology in the car. it changes my music, the buttons get stuck and my it acts up. my aunt has the same model and is running into the same issues. i ne…
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Sometimes, the breaks will not go all the way down to the floor and act like theyre not working. it's very odd and only does it once in a while. i have constant issues with the technology in the car. it changes my music, the buttons get stuck and my it acts up. my aunt has the same model and is running into the same issues. i never received a letter in the mail about the last recall and have had issues where it doesnt seem like my engine is getting the power it once did. this was early on after i got the car. my gas mileage has significally decreased even after oil changes.
NHTSA ODI #11664248
Mileage unknown · May 7, 2025
Equipment
I've had issues with my infotainment system screen for years and have mentioned this to the dealership. But their response was that I wasn't in warranty anymore and that I'd had to just reboot the radio system on my own. Because it was out of warranty for them to check the issue, the issue was never put on my file when I went to…
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I've had issues with my infotainment system screen for years and have mentioned this to the dealership. But their response was that I wasn't in warranty anymore and that I'd had to just reboot the radio system on my own. Because it was out of warranty for them to check the issue, the issue was never put on my file when I went to get serviced. Now my screen has been acting up even more, nonstop, with this "ghost touch" issue that many other CX-5 car owners have also been dealing with. I've had many unsafe incidents already while driving and can cause major accidents from shift in focus on the road and back to my screen because the music suddenly turned on full blast due to a glitch that Mazda didn't care or want to resolve for their customers (even after their recall for the same type of screen for previous models with the CX3). Yes, I've researched this intently and Mazda continues to deny these claims, not wanting to recall the same screens that they continue to manufacture, dispute this glitch and defect, being negligent and not caring for their valued customers. There have already been class action lawsuits with the CX-5 but Mazda still turns the other direction in terms of placing a recall on the infotainment screens. My vehicle has also been serviced and diagnosed with "ghost touch." The issue is Mazda not wanting to fully reimburse for this problem, turning a blind eye on this for years. Mazda finally confessed that I still have an after warranty assistance program after talking to customer service for a long time. The Campaign number is CSP13.
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.
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.
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 ↗