2018 Mazda 5 VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2018 Mazda 5 has good reliability. There are 10 recalls and 423 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Mazda 5. Severity signals include 24 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Engine (121), Unknown Or Other (60), Electrical System (54).
5 reliability snapshot
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
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Most-reported 2018 Mazda 5 issues
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
- Engine121
- Unknown Or Other60
- Electrical System54
- Power Train41
- Fuel System, Gasoline19
- Service Brakes16
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2018 Mazda 5
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
- Inspect for oil leaks and burning smells from the engine
- Check for premature rear brake pad wear and corrosion
- Test infotainment system for 'ghost touch' issues
- Verify recall completion for high-pressure fuel pump
- Inspect cylinder head for cracks or oil leaks
- Check for warning lights related to engine or powertrain issues
2018 5 recalls (8)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2018 5. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
- BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 23V487000Jul 14, 2023
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINENHTSA 21V875000Nov 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: 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.
- VISIBILITYNHTSA 19V272000Apr 4, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Consequence: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNHTSA 17V745000Nov 21, 2017
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.
- ENGINE, POWER TRAINNHTSA 19V497000Jun 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: 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.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 18V426000Jun 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: 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.
- AIR BAGSNHTSA 24V695000Sep 18, 2024
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.
- POWER TRAINNHTSA 19V072000Feb 1, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
Consequence: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3019A.
How the 2018 Mazda 5 stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
Reliability verdict for the 2018 Mazda 5
The 2018 Mazda 5 scores a 72 out of 100, placing its reliability slightly above the segment average. This suggests moderate reliability with some areas of concern. Complaints are notably concentrated in the engine category, indicating a potential focal point for reliability issues. Other areas like the electrical system and power train also show a significant number of complaints, suggesting a broader distribution of issues across multiple systems.
An elevated recall count of ten reflects a higher-than-usual incidence of manufacturer-acknowledged defects, which may contribute to the overall reliability risk. While the Mazda 5 demonstrates some strengths in reliability, potential buyers should be aware of these highlighted issues. Overall, the 2018 Mazda 5 presents a moderate reliability risk, warranting a careful consideration of its known problem areas.
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2018 Mazda 5 — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Mazda 5 reliable?
The 2018 Mazda 5 scores a 72 out of 100, placing its reliability slightly above the segment average. This suggests moderate reliability with some areas of concern. Complaints are notably concentrated in the engine category, indicating a potential focal point for reliability issues. Other areas like the electrical system and power train also show a significant number of complaints, suggesting a broader distribution of issues across multiple systems.
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda 5 have?
8 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Mazda 5. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2018 Mazda 5 problems?
The most-reported 2018 Mazda 5 problem areas are: Engine (121), Unknown Or Other (60), Electrical System (54).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2018 Mazda 5?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2018 Mazda 5, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.