Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 350 safety complaints
about the 2018 Mazda CX-5 with the US government. Of those, 19 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 6 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 178 complaints, 51% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 14,700 miles,
the median across the 83
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers February 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
350 complaints on file
350
Complaints
19
Describe a crash
1
Mention fire
6
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints fell 36% year on year: 48 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 75 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 178 · 51%
178 51%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 58 · 17%
58 17%
POWER TRAIN 42 · 12%
42 12%
SERVICE BRAKES 32 · 9%
32 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 · 8%
29 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 20 · 6%
20 6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 19 · 5%
19 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 13 · 4%
13 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13 · 4%
13 4%
STRUCTURE 12 · 3%
12 3%
AIR BAGS 9 · 3%
9 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 · 1%
5 1%
073146
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 350.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2024 at 73.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2018 Mazda CX-5, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD Early Release
SUV AWD Later Release
SUV FWD Early Release
SUV FWD Later Release
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
17.4%
16.9%
16.9%
17.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Mazda North American Operations · up to 121,038 vehicles across all model years covered
ENGINE
19V497000 · June 27, 2019
The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
The risk
An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
Mazda North American Operations · up to 262,220 vehicles across all model years covered
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
18V426000 · June 25, 2018
The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. In the event of a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not properly unfold during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
The risk
If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2718F.
Mazda North American Operations · up to 682 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
SERVICE BRAKES
1 injured · crash · towed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA CX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE CHIROPRACTOR FOR TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY TO TOWING YARD AWAITING INSPECTION FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. THE VEHICLE HAD A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V497000 (POWER TRAIN, ENGINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint 11244217. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SEATS
1 injured · crash · towed
My husband (driver) and I (front passenger) were in my 2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring and were stopped in traffic on the interstate due to construction. While completely stopped, we were rear-ended by a car traveling at 55-60+ miles per hour (the car did not brake at all before hitting us). Both of our seat backs failed upon impact and went all the way back, with the headrests flying out of both seats. Thankfully no passengers or pets were in the back seat when this happened, but this is a serious safety concern. Attached are photos of the inside of the car in the state it was in after the crash.
NHTSA complaint 11423394. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 injured · crash · towed · 35,000 miles
The contact owned a 2018 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at approximately 35 - 40 MPH, the power steering assist and brakes failed, causing the vehicle to crash into trees. None of the air bags deployed upon impact. All of the warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife attempted to turn off the vehicle, but it would not turn off. The fire department had to disconnect the battery to turn off the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact's wife was later taken to the hospital for injuries sustained to her knees. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the …
NHTSA complaint 11442553, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash
Entire drivers side air bags deployed, with only the driver in the vehicle, after striking a curb, (after striking a coyote, then swerving). Front central air bag did not deploy-only the side, and then for the entire side of a four door SUV, Mazda CX-5. Air bag slammed into neck and chest of driver nearly striking jugular with sharp impact. There does not appear to be any reason for side air bag to deploy, without front center deploying.
NHTSA complaint 11520543. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
There has been numerous report of the Mazda CX 5 having failure rear differential. I just purchased a 2018 Mazda CX five for my daughter in September 2026 I now am experiencing this issue on the rear diff. The dealer will not cover the repair since it’s as is purchase Mazda should take this as a recall and fix the vehicle for the safety of the consumer.
NHTSA complaint 11766937. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
2018 Mazda CX-5 2.5L NA Engine Cracked cylinder head and blown head gasket with leaking oil onto exhaust manifold resulting in white smoke & burning oil smell. No engine light. Issue confirmed by dealer and independent shop. Commonly reported issue amongst 2018-2021 Mazda CX-5 owners either naturally aspirated engines.
NHTSA complaint 11766802. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
towed · 183,540 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was leaking engine oil, and there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that upon further inspection, there was a puddle of engine oil on the ground while the vehicle was idling. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,540.
NHTSA complaint 11758021. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
towed · 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from under the hood. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife pulled over and discovered that there was oil leaking onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the #5 and #7 cylinder heads were cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint 11752421. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I am writing to formally document a significant engine failure on my 2018 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring (VIN: [XXX], License: [XXX], Odometer: 78,159 miles). The vehicle began exhibiting visible smoke from under the hood and severe oil leakage — oil was actively pooling beneath the car and leaving a trail. Upon inspection by Cal West Auto Center (San Marcos, CA), the vehicle was diagnosed with a leaking cylinder head gasket requiring full cylinder head removal and replacement. I am aware that Mazda issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB #SA-031-21 specifically addressing a cylinder head casting defect in 2018–2019 CX-5 models equipped with the 2.5L Skyactiv-G engine with cylinder deactivation — …
NHTSA complaint 11752039, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Check engine light on when read it comes back with P0171 code
NHTSA complaint 11750286. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed November 12, 2021.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst