CSR

Mazda · NHTSA safety record

2018 Mazda CX-5

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

347

Complaints

19

Crashes

1

Fires

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have filed 347 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2018 and July 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 176 of them (51%). The typical failure was reported at 14,700 miles, the median across the 82 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints halved year on year: 38 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 82 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

21V875000 · November 12, 2021

The defect
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

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 347.

ENGINE 176 51%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 58 17%
POWER TRAIN 41 12%
SERVICE BRAKES 32 9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 20 6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 19 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 13 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 13 4%
STRUCTURE 12 3%
AIR BAGS 9 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 73.

2018 2024 2026
2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

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.

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.

ENGINE

83,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that white smoke was coming from the engine compartment whenever the vehicle reached normal operating temperature. The contact stated that smoke entered the passenger’s side compartment through the air vents and was coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment due to an oil leakage. The smoke impaired visibility while driving. The most recent failure had occurred while driving approximately 35 MPH on a city roadway. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and then to the dealer for further inspection. The independent mechanic diagnosed the

NHTSA complaint 11747961, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
My Mazda 2018, CX-5, Grand Touring, was diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head at 64,599 miles. This issue could posed a safety hazard for not only us but others on the road by: *Engine Failure / Sudden Loss of Power-A crack allows coolant and oil to mix or leak, leading to overheating and potential catastrophic engine seizure. A seized engine can cause sudden, unexpected loss of power — especially dangerous at highway speeds or during lane changes/merges. *Oil and Coolant on the Road-Leaking fluids drip onto the roadway, creating slick surfaces for motorcyclists and other vehicles — similar to a spilled oil hazard. This is especially dangerous on curves and in wet conditions. *White Smoke

NHTSA complaint 11747660, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Cylinder head suddenly cracked, causing heavy oil leakage onto hot exhaust manifold. Car started to smoke heavily. Vehicle turned off before potential engine fire.

NHTSA complaint 11744932. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mazda CX-5

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 41 0
2023 59 0
2022 62 0
2021 143 0
2020 106 0
2019 265 2
2017 148 1
2016 510 4
2015 133 3
2014 377 3
2013 194 1

Other 2018 Mazda models

Every Mazda on this site — 81 vehicles, 161 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

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.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst