Mazda CX-5 Common Problems

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

ENGINE

Owners of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues with cracked cylinder heads, often leading to significant oil leaks and engine overheating. Typical symptoms include oil smells, smoke entering the cabin, and visible oil leaks, with many complaints arising shortly after the warranty period, around 30,000 to 62,000 miles. The cracked cylinder head can pose a fire hazard, as oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, and in one case, this has led to a fire. Buyers should be aware of these issues, especially as they can result in costly repairs and safety risks.

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

ENGINE

Owners of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 frequently report excessive engine oil consumption, with many indicating the low oil light activates every 3,000 miles, far sooner than the recommended 7,500-mile oil change interval. Typical symptoms include the need to top off oil frequently, ticking sounds from the engine, and in some cases, gasoline vapors in the engine compartment. These issues often arise in vehicles with low mileage, some as early as 10,000 to 20,000 miles. While there are no reports of crashes or fires, the risk of engine damage due to low oil levels is a concern. Buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly in models with turbo engines, as they might face similar maintenance challenges.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report frequent issues with the 2019 Mazda CX-5's infotainment system, particularly "ghost touch" malfunctions where the touchscreen registers unintended inputs. This leads to actions such as making random phone calls, changing radio stations, and altering settings without driver interaction, posing significant distractions while driving. Complaints also mention the infotainment screen freezing or rebooting unexpectedly, and some owners experience these issues shortly after the vehicle's warranty expires. Safety implications are noted, with one report of a crash attributed to this distraction and another of an electrical fire originating from the passenger door speaker components. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring infotainment issues and the potential safety risks they may present.

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

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2020 Mazda CX-5 frequently report issues with the infotainment system, particularly "ghost touch" phenomena where the touchscreen behaves erratically, such as changing settings, adjusting volume, and making unintended phone calls. These malfunctions often occur while driving, causing significant distractions. Another common issue is intermittent battery drain, which can lead to the vehicle not starting. Some complaints also mention problems with the electronic parking brake system. These electrical issues are reported at various mileage levels, with some occurring as early as 16,000 miles. Safety concerns are noted, as one complaint involves a crash and injury linked to these malfunctions.

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

POWER TRAIN

Owners report that the 2019 Mazda CX-5 frequently experiences issues with cracked cylinder heads, leading to significant oil leaks. Complaints often mention symptoms such as burning smells, visible smoke from the engine, and oil dripping from the vehicle, typically emerging around 25,000 to 60,000 miles. There are also reports of transmission failures, with some vehicles stalling or losing power while driving. Safety implications include two reported crashes, one involving an injury due to the vehicle rolling backward on an incline. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially considering the lack of warning indicators before failures occur.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports