Owners have reported 24 crashes, 1 fire, 10 injuries and 1 death to NHTSA for the 2018 Mazda 5. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints121
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with cracked cylinder heads in the 2018 Mazda 5, often leading to oil leaks and burning oil smells, with some cases noting potential fire hazards. Symptoms commonly include oil leakage, burning smells, and, in some instances, smoke from the engine. These problems are typically observed around 43,000 to 105,000 miles. Complaints also mention engine power loss without warning, which poses a safety risk, especially if it occurs while driving. Buyers should be aware of these issues, as they can lead to costly repairs and potential safety concerns.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints60
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several recurring issues with the 2018 Mazda 5, notably involving the infotainment system and rearview camera. Common symptoms include the infotainment screen exhibiting "ghost touch" behavior, where it registers false inputs, and internal cracking, which impairs visibility and functionality. Multiple complaints also highlight unreliable performance of the rearview camera, with distorted or non-functional displays that persist despite recall notifications. These issues often arise without prior warning and can pose safety risks due to distraction or impaired visibility while reversing. Some owners note these problems occurring at various stages of vehicle ownership, and there are reports of related crashes and injuries.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints54
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 frequently report issues with the infotainment system, particularly "ghost touch" phenomena where the screen registers random inputs without being touched. This issue leads to unintended changes in settings, such as radio station shifts and navigation disruptions, and is often accompanied by "spider cracks" on the screen. Complaints also highlight problems with the backup camera, including flickering or complete shutdowns, which have resulted in at least one crash due to reduced visibility. These problems typically emerge over time and can be particularly distracting, potentially posing safety risks if drivers are unable to rely on these systems while on the road.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints41
POWER TRAIN
Owners report several issues with the 2018 Mazda 5's powertrain, most notably involving cracked cylinder heads leading to oil leaks and burning smells. These symptoms often appear around 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold, creating smoke and potential fire hazards. Another common issue involves the vehicle stalling unexpectedly at low speeds, sometimes requiring unusual restart procedures, and is occasionally linked to high-pressure fuel pump failures. These problems can lead to safety risks, including loss of control and fire hazards, which are significant considerations for used car buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints22
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the fuel system in the 2018 Mazda CX-5, particularly related to fuel pump failures. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as stalling, loss of motive power, and difficulty with acceleration, often occurring at various speeds. These issues are typically noted around 33,000 to 82,000 miles. Multiple owners describe receiving recall notifications but experiencing delays in obtaining the necessary parts for repair, sometimes resulting in prolonged unresolved issues. While no crashes or fires are reported, the loss of power poses potential safety risks, especially when occurring unexpectedly while driving.
Owner complaints21
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 report recurring issues with the service brakes, particularly involving premature wear and malfunctioning electronic parking brakes. Complaints frequently mention rear brake pads wearing out faster than expected, sometimes as early as 13,200 miles, with signs of corrosion and sticking calipers. Several reports describe the Smart City Brake Support system engaging unexpectedly, causing sudden stops without driver input, which has led to near-miss situations and, in some cases, crashes. Additionally, incidents involving the electronic parking brake failing to engage properly have resulted in unintended vehicle movement and crashes. These issues are typically reported at low to moderate mileage and raise potential safety concerns due to loss of braking control and unexpected vehicle behavior.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints15
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 frequently report issues with the windshield wipers ceasing to function, often during rain, which poses a significant visibility risk. Complaints commonly describe wipers stopping unexpectedly, sometimes becoming stuck in the up position, or failing in all modes including automatic settings. Several reports suggest a potential link to the Body Control Module or Front Body Power Module, with some owners noting the problem persists despite attempts at repair. Mileage is not consistently mentioned, but failures are reported at various points during ownership. Safety implications include one reported crash with three injuries due to wiper failure in heavy rain, highlighting the potential danger of this issue.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report issues with the vehicle speed control in the 2018 Mazda 5, with several complaints involving unintended acceleration, particularly at low speeds when parking, leading to crashes. Symptoms include sudden acceleration despite braking, as described by multiple owners who experienced their vehicles lurching forward unexpectedly. Additionally, some owners experience the vehicle entering limp mode, severe hesitation, or stalling, with warning lights illuminating and the vehicle failing to accelerate properly. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some vehicles experiencing problems almost immediately after purchase. The safety implications are significant, as unintended acceleration has resulted in crashes and the inability to control vehicle speed poses a risk to drivers and others on the road.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 frequently report issues with the airbag system, including unexpected deployments and warning lights indicating faults. Complaints often describe the passenger side airbag sensor as faulty, with some reports of the SRS light activating and diagnostic codes pointing to errors in the restraint module. Several incidents involve airbag deployment during low-impact scenarios, such as minor collisions or even when the seat is unoccupied, and there are instances of airbags deploying after unintended acceleration crashes. Mileage at which these issues appear varies, but one report mentions a failure at approximately 54,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with four reported crashes and one injury, highlighting concerns about both premature airbag deployment and potential non-deployment during actual impacts.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 report issues with steering control, particularly during driving at highway speeds or while navigating sharp turns. Complaints frequently mention a sudden loss of steering control, with descriptions of the vehicle veering sharply and the steering wheel not responding as expected. Notably, all complaints involve crashes, with one incident resulting in an injury and another describing a failure of both steering and brakes. These issues are reported at mileage around 35,000. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety implications, as multiple incidents involve complete loss of steering control.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
