2018 Mazda CX-5 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 353 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,836miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2018 Mazda CX-5, 1% of the 353 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,836 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am concerned that the headlight glare from my 2018 Mazda CX-5 manufactured in november 2107 is excessive for oncoming vehicles. I frequently have oncoming cars flash their lights at me when driving on 2 lane roads at night. My vehicle has the tech package, which includes adaptive LED headlights that are supposed to be self leveling. The iihs testing of headlights of the 2017 - 2018 Mazda changed in march 2018 from acceptable to good.”
NHTSA complaint #11271578, filed 2019-10, 10,000 miles“When driving at night or in diminished lighting, the headlights will turn on but the taillights do not. The taillights will only activate if the headlight switch is moved to the on position. When the headlights activate, it gives the driver the appearance of everything is operating as designed when in fact there are no taillights illuminated.”
NHTSA complaint #11504873, filed 2023-02“The contact owned a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 35-45 MPH, the vehicle was shaking and rattling. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer again where it was diagnosed that there were loose parts in the engine. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. Additionally, the brake light was illuminated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11659157, filed 2025-05, 31,673 miles“The lighting system on the 2018 Mazda cx-5 base sport model has it so that during the daytime, the low beams continuously run. This and the continuously lighted dashboard make it hard to tell when you need to turn on the headlight/tail lights, since the headlights are always on. These arent even side drls, they are full low-beam lights. I've seen many Mazda cx-5 base models that do not have auto headlights drive around with there without any taillight and makes it dangerous for traffic behind to see the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #11574125, filed 2024-02Related service bulletins
- 11022725Aug 22, 2025Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle…
- 11010990Nov 5, 2024Some customers may complain that the headlights get foggy or have water spots inside. This concern may be caused by the anti-fog coating not preventing inner condensation under…
- 10246208Nov 27, 2023Some customers may complain that the headlights get foggy or have water spots inside. This concern may be caused by the anti-fog coating not preventing inner condensation under…
- 10235418Apr 12, 2023Some customers may complain of foggy rear combination lights (as shown below) after a car wash or heavy rain.
- 10232304Feb 9, 2023Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. The newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 11 | 16% |
| 2022 | 23 | 35% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 161 | 31% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2018 Mazda CX-5
181 complaintsOther or unknown
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 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 31, 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