Owners have reported 18 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Mazda CX-5. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints111
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2018 Mazda CX-5 frequently experiences cracked cylinder heads, leading to oil and coolant leaks. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as a strong burning smell, visible smoke, and oil dripping onto the exhaust manifold, which can result in fumes entering the cabin. These issues are often observed around 30,000 to 75,000 miles. The potential safety implications include a risk of engine failure, fire hazards, and loss of propulsion, with one report noting a crash. Buyers should be aware that some owners indicate that this issue may not be covered under warranty, even though it is a known defect in certain model years.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues with the infotainment system, often describing a "ghost touch" phenomenon where the screen activates functions without user input. Symptoms include the system randomly changing radio stations, adjusting volume to maximum levels, and altering navigation settings, which can be distracting and potentially dangerous while driving. This issue appears to become more prevalent over time, with some owners noting it worsens in hot weather or after warranty expiration. Additionally, a few complaints mention mechanical failures, such as a cracked cylinder head leading to oil leaks, and a malfunctioning rear brake caliper causing overheating. Safety implications are highlighted by reports of distraction-related risks and potential loss of control, although specific crashes or injuries are not detailed in the majority of complaints.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints34
POWER TRAIN
Owners report that the 2018 Mazda CX-5 frequently experiences issues related to cracked cylinder heads, leading to oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold. Symptoms commonly include a burning oil smell, visible smoke, and oil leaks, often without any dashboard warning lights. Complaints typically arise around 50,000 to 62,500 miles, often just outside of warranty coverage. The oil leaks pose a significant fire hazard, with some reports mentioning smoke entering the cabin, which can impair visibility and cause distraction while driving. Additionally, a few owners describe engine stalling and shutdowns, potentially linked to software updates or other engine components, posing further safety risks.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues with the infotainment system, often describing a "ghost touch" phenomenon where the screen registers inputs without being touched, leading to random phone calls, radio station changes, and unexpected volume adjustments. These issues are noted to be distracting and potentially hazardous while driving. Complaints also mention the vehicle stalling unexpectedly, sometimes linked to infotainment malfunctions, which can occur at various mileages and have been reported to cause dangerous situations in traffic. Additionally, some owners describe problems with the vehicle's electronic parking brake engaging unexpectedly. While one complaint involves a fire, most reports focus on electronic malfunctions that impact driving safety.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints19
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues related to the fuel system, particularly concerning fuel pump failures and stalling. Symptoms commonly described include hesitation during acceleration, fluctuating fuel gauges, and vehicles stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes with the check engine light illuminated. These issues are often reported at mileages ranging from approximately 15,000 to 82,000 miles. Many owners mention receiving recall notifications but experiencing delays in obtaining necessary repair parts, which are often unavailable, leading to extended periods without resolution. While no crashes or fires are reported, the stalling and loss of power could have implications for vehicle control and safety.
Owner complaints16
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues with the brake system, particularly involving the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) feature and caliper malfunctions. Complaints often describe the SCBS system engaging unnecessarily, causing sudden and severe braking, which has led to near-misses and three reported crashes. Additionally, several owners mention calipers sticking or seizing, leading to premature wear of brake components. These issues are reported at various mileage ranges, with some occurring as early as 1,500 miles. Safety implications include loss of control and increased risk of rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, as they may affect the vehicle's reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints10
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues with the Soul Red Crystal paint chipping excessively. Complaints commonly describe paint chips forming on the hood, doors, and side panels, often within a few months of purchase and at low mileages, such as under 7,000 miles. Many owners suggest that the paint appears thin and not well-bonded to the metal, with some noting that even small road debris can cause significant chipping. There are no reports of safety implications such as crashes or loss of control. Used car buyers should be aware of potential paint durability issues, especially with vehicles featuring the Soul Red Crystal color option.
Owner complaints9
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 report issues primarily related to airbag deployment and warning systems. Complaints frequently mention unintended airbag deployments, both during and after minor impacts, with some cases resulting in crashes or injuries. Another common issue involves airbag warning lights, often linked to a faulty passenger side sensor, with reports of these symptoms appearing around 54,000 miles. Additionally, there are instances of unintended acceleration leading to crashes, although airbags did not always deploy in these situations. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential safety concerns, especially regarding airbag functionality and unintended acceleration.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving unintended acceleration and stalling. Several complaints describe incidents where the vehicle suddenly accelerates while parking at low speeds, leading to crashes into fixed objects or other vehicles. Additionally, multiple owners mention the vehicle entering limp mode, significantly reducing speed and acceleration capabilities, sometimes accompanied by dashboard error messages. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with some reports occurring as early as 650 miles. Safety implications include three reported crashes due to sudden acceleration, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspection for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 report issues related to steering and associated safety features. One complaint describes a severe incident where the power steering assist and brakes failed simultaneously at approximately 35,000 miles, leading to a crash into trees and resulting in an injury. Another report involves a minor collision at low speed that triggered a blind spot sensor malfunction, with repair costs quoted at over $900. These complaints highlight potential safety risks, including loss of vehicle control and costly repairs, even at low speeds.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
