2018 Mazda CX-5 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 180about this part
- Share
- 51%of 352 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,900miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 180 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Mazda CX-5, 51% of the 352 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,900 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Situation: driving uphill on hwy 120 on new priest road, big oak flat, ca, two lane mountain road. Slow car in front of me and a delivery truck tailgating. Slow car eventually moves aside in a turnout and I accelerate to open up space between myself and what I thought would be the truck but somehow the slow car returned to the driving lane ahead of the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #11416469, filed 2021-05, 38,650 miles“The engine in my Mazda CX-5 was required to be replaced recently due to a known issue in the car that causes the rear head to leak. My car has less than 12,000 miles on it so the engine should not have this issue. My dealer explained to me this is a known issue by Mazda and he had seen 5-10 other cars just at his dealer. We noticed this issue when my son was driving the car and we saw fluid pouring out of the bottom. We had him stop the car immediately and not drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #11318595, filed 2020-03, 11,700 miles“I was driving on the highway and it was raining. I lost control of the vehicle, the steering wheel was spinning uncontrollably. I was advised I most likely hydroplaned. The vehicle finally slowed down and backed into a guardrail. Only the rim of the driver side back tire was damaged. The impact felt like the impact felt when hitting a curb too hard. This did not happen on the side of the road with a shoulder, so after the tire hit the guardrail, I moved to the car to the other side of the road to be on the shoulder. …”
NHTSA complaint #11378437, filed 2020-12, 28,000 miles“Takata recall. I purchased a brand new Mazda CX-5 sport from a Mazda dealership on 6/4/2018. On 7/31/ 2018 the check engine light came on so I took it back to the dealership with only 2,357 on the odometer. My CX-5 was in the shop from 7/31/ 2018 until 8/10/ 2018, during the first car repair attempt, heritage Mazda towson replaced the oil pump strainer, during the second repair attempt, the dealership replaced the oil pressure switch. On 10/10/2018, the check engine light came on while I was traveling to virginia beach. …”
NHTSA complaint #11144479, filed 2018-10, 2,345 miles“2018 Mazda CX-5 when I check the oil it is extremely over full and strong odor of gas when the dipstick is pulled out to be wiped off. It is like 4 inches above the max mark/ oil is very thin. This is an excessive amounts of gas in there.I warm up my car before leaving and drive it regularly everyday. This is very bad I read that gas is not a lubricant and washes the oil out of where it needs to be lubricating engine. It continues to happen. Checked manual to make sure I am checking it correctly. Says to get to operating temp. Wait 5 min to let oil settle back into engine then check it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11166784, filed 2019-01, 5,100 milesRelated recalls
- 19V497000Jun 27, 2019Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control…Covers: Mazda CX-5 2018–2019, MAZDA6 2018–2019, MAZDA3 2019
Related service bulletins
- 11036688Aug 10, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation…
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 11032101Apr 16, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is…
- 11030636Mar 11, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water…
- 11030701Mar 5, 2026Subject: TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00, 2018-2025…
- 11030700Mar 5, 2026Subject: TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00, 2018-2025…
- 11030598Mar 4, 2026Some customers may experience a check engine light ON with DTC P0126:00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: Engine takes longer to warm up. Engine…
- 11029625Feb 26, 2026Some vehicles may display some (or all) of the following symptoms: • Check engine light on with DTC P061B • Light increase in engine rpms during acceleration • Transmission will…
- 11029534Feb 11, 2026The coolant control valve updated part is now available and supersedes PYFD-15-16ZA. As a result, PYFD-15-16ZA is no longer available. PW5S-15-16Z is supplied with a dummy plug…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 24% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 10 | 15% |
| 2022 | 13 | 20% |
| 2021 | 80 | 54% |
| 2020 | 17 | 16% |
| 2019 | 132 | 49% |
| 2018 | 180 | 51% |
| 2017 | 16 | 11% |
| 2016 | 39 | 8% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 39 | 10% |
| 2013 | 42 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2018 Mazda CX-5
59 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
42 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsForward collision avoidance
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsLane departure
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Mazda CX-5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology