2018 Mazda CX-5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 12%of 353 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,172miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Mazda CX-5, 12% of the 353 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,172 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle wants to keep going when the brakes are applied. When at a stop light, you must keep you foot firmly on the brake as the car wants to lurch forward. When you slow down while driving, the car acts like the turbo is kicking in and wants to lurch forward. Very dangerous. I thought it was the engine, but someone told me it is the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11130477, filed 2018-09, 3,250 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“The car tries to lunge forward immediately after coming to a complete stop. I always keep my foot on the brake when I come to an intersection or red light so it hasn't yet caused an accident and the force of the braking action seems to be enough to keep it from lunging for the time being but you can feel it tugging wanting to move forward. An engine light recently came on the dashboard along with a transmission light and traction control light. I took it to local dealer and they replaced a transmission sensor but the car still wants to nudge forward after coming to a stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #11230200, filed 2019-07, 1,500 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 miles“June 4 2018 my brand new 2018 Mazda cx 5 that I bought from marin Mazda in san rafael ca driving on freeway at approximately 68 MPH my car suddenly is slowing down- like self braking on its own- I was not braking- this was happing while I was accelerating -it felt like I was towing a large tractor - this resistance keeps recurring causing safety concern as well as bad gas mileage- while this issue is happening I get between 15 -17 miles per gal. - took pictures of fuel monitoring system. Having to make my way to the nearest exit with cars honking at me was dangerous. Car had 350 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11166766, filed 2019-01, 350 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032003May 1, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the…
- 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…
- 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…
- 11026354Nov 27, 2025When inspected, the differential or PTO oil is dark or black. This is considered normal and NO repair should be performed. During production, differential ring and pinion gears…
- 11026350Nov 8, 2025Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three…
- 11026351Nov 6, 2025Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a…
- 11009654Oct 24, 2024The SKYACTIV-DRIVE FW6A-EL AT uses “Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) Type: FZ”. Only use “ATF-FZ” to fill or top off the fluid level. ATF-FZ is specially designed for use in…
- 11009630Oct 22, 2024Some customers may complain of a shift shock when shifting from 2nd to 3rd when the engine is cold. This is caused by improper TCM control logic. To eliminate this concern, the…
- 11009628Oct 3, 2024Some customers may complain of a shift shock when shifting from 2nd to 3rd when the engine is cold. This is caused by improper TCM control logic. To eliminate this concern, the…
- 11007010Aug 7, 2024Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 3 | 10% |
| 2024 | 3 | 6% |
| 2023 | 3 | 4% |
| 2022 | 5 | 8% |
| 2021 | 17 | 11% |
| 2020 | 8 | 7% |
| 2019 | 32 | 12% |
| 2018 | 42 | 12% |
| 2017 | 11 | 7% |
| 2016 | 51 | 10% |
| 2015 | 19 | 14% |
| 2014 | 50 | 13% |
| 2013 | 38 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2018 Mazda CX-5
181 complaintsOther or unknown
59 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 30, 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