Mazda 5 Common Problems

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

ENGINE

Owners of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues with cracked cylinder heads, often leading to significant oil leaks. These leaks are commonly described as causing smoke and a burning oil smell, with some instances of oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold, posing a potential fire hazard. Complaints typically emerge around 30,000 to 78,000 miles. Symptoms include the presence of smoke, burning smells, and oil puddles under the vehicle. There are no reports of crashes, but the potential for engine fires is noted as a safety risk. Buyers should be aware of these issues, particularly in models without turbo engines, as repairs are costly and may not be covered under existing warranty extensions.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports

ENGINE

Owners report frequent issues with excessive oil consumption in the 2021 Mazda 5, with many complaints indicating the low oil warning light illuminates between oil changes. Symptoms typically include burning 1-3 quarts of oil within a few thousand miles, often before reaching 10,000 miles. Some owners also describe spontaneous power loss, engine vibrations, and check engine lights, with specific references to code P0304. The oil consumption issue is noted even in vehicles with low mileage, and while no crashes or fires are reported, the potential for engine damage or failure is a concern. Buyers should be aware that some dealerships suggest regularly topping off the oil as a temporary measure, with no permanent solution currently provided.

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

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report frequent issues with the infotainment system in the 2019 Mazda 5, particularly involving "ghost touch" malfunctions where the touchscreen registers unintended inputs. These symptoms include random changes to settings, initiating phone calls, and altering navigation routes, which are highly distracting while driving. Complaints often indicate that these issues develop around 60,000 to 80,000 miles. Additionally, one report involves an electrical fire originating in the passenger door speaker components, and there are mentions of electrical system failures leading to crashes. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety implications and the costs associated with repairs, as some dealerships charge substantial fees for diagnosis and fixes.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports

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

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2019 Mazda 5 frequently report issues with the infotainment system, specifically "ghost touch" problems where the screen registers phantom inputs, changing settings, adjusting volume, and disconnecting navigation or phone functions without user input. These issues are described as highly distracting and occur sporadically, with some owners noting they began around 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Additionally, there are reports of oil leaks due to cracked cylinder heads, leading to burning smells and smoke, posing potential safety risks. A few owners also mention incidents involving the vehicle's automatic braking system causing unexpected stops, and one report describes a sunroof explosion. These complaints suggest potential safety implications, including loss of vehicle control and distraction while driving.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports