CSR

Mazda · NHTSA safety record

2019 Mazda CX-5

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

265

Complaints

7

Crashes

2

Fires

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 have filed 265 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2019 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 129 of them (49%). The typical failure was reported at 17,000 miles, the median across the 42 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints fell 26% year on year: 52 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 70 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (2)

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

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 265.

ENGINE 129 49%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 49 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 46 17%
POWER TRAIN 29 11%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 16 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 15 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 9 3%
AIR BAGS 7 3%
STRUCTURE 7 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 2%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 60.

2019 2024 2026
2019 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.

SEATS

2 injured · crash · towed

We were at a stop light and we were rear ended by a Lexus SUV. We're assuming she was going 45mph + but we're not too sure yet. I couldn't figure out why myself, the drive of the car that was hit, had such a horrendous neck ache after being hit. I turned around & saw that my headrest had been completely ripped out of the seat itself, providing no support for my head and/or neck on impact. I can't find any information of if this is on purpose, as a safety feature, or if the headrest failed.

NHTSA complaint 11552369. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed

On [XXX], I was the operator of a 2019 Mazda CX-5 in Los Angeles, California. I parked the vehicle on an incline on or around [XXX] in Los Angeles, California, and then exited the vehicle. The vehicle remained stationary for some time, until it suddenly began rolling backwards at a speed that pushed me to the ground while I was getting my things from the passenger side door, causing me serious injuries. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11646520. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

1 injured · crash

ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019, AS I WAS APPROACHING MY HOME, I ACTIVATED MY GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND THE GARAGE DOOR OPENED AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED THE CAR, A 2019 MAZDA CX-5, IN THE DRIVEWAY, PLACED IT IN PARK, GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE GARAGE. WHILE IN THE GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MINUTES, I TURNED AROUND TO SEE MY 2019 MAZDA CX-5 ACCELERATING TOWARD ME. THE CAR ROLLED UNTIL IT HIT THE WASHING MACHINE AND DRYER. I MANAGED TO AVOID GETTING PINNED BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR RAN OVER MY FOOT. I MANAGED TO SQUEEZE PAST AND ENTER THE VEHICLE PLACING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUTTING THE CAR BACK IN PARK.

NHTSA complaint 11287590. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 injured · 29,036 miles

I HEARD A VERY LOUD BANG, SOUNDING LIKE A GUNSHOT THAT WENT OFF, WHEN THE SUNROOF ABOVE MY HEAD VIOLENTLY SHATTERED WHILE I DRIVING TO WORK. I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND GOT COVERED WITH PIECES OF GLASS. THE GLASS SCRATCHED ME ON THE FACE, CLOSE TO MY EYE. I AM IN SHOCK AND I AM STILL FINDING SMALL PIECES OF GLASS ALL OVER MY BODY EVEN AFTER TAKING A SHOWER.

NHTSA complaint 11404615. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In early 2025, my 2019 Mazda CX5 automatic would not shift always shift when it should - - it would take several seconds. This was especially concerning when I merged onto freeways and when I drove up hills or steep roads, and needed to pass a slower vehicle. The problem was especially noticeable & lasted longer when the engine was cold. I took the car to my mechanic who said it was the TCM, there was a recall notice, & that I needed to take my car to a dealer. (I never received a recall notice.) I took my car to Mazda in Sacramento because my local dealer (Salinas, CA) would not address the issue without me paying a $395 "diagnostic fee" - - even though I had the recall info from my

NHTSA complaint 11755884, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
This is a follow-up to my complaint 11754947, filed 8/5/2026 on the same vehicle. The defect has now been confirmed in writing by an authorized Mazda dealer. On 8/6/2026, San Francisco Mazda (repair order 1085786) diagnosed the cylinder head as the source of the engine oil leak on my 2019 CX-5 with the 2.5L naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine with cylinder deactivation, engine code PYUD. The dealer inspection report states: "CYLINDER HEAD LEAKING — FOUND THE CYLINDER TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE OIL LEAK." The repair estimate is $10,655.34, including a replacement cylinder head assembly, cylinder head bolts, and four gasket kits. Mileage at diagnosis was 51,483, approximately 7,000 miles per

NHTSA complaint 11755382, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2019 Mazda CX-5 with the 2.5L naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine with cylinder deactivation has developed a significant engine oil leak at the front of the engine, accompanied by a strong burning oil odor detectable both outside and inside the cabin. Mileage is approximately 50,000, averaging about 7,000 miles per year with all maintenance performed on schedule. The burning odor indicates engine oil is contacting hot exhaust components, creating a fire hazard. I have stopped driving the vehicle. I have taken the vehicle to two authorized Mazda dealers for this identical issue. One was unable to locate the source of the leak. The other quoted approximately $10,000 without providing a

NHTSA complaint 11754947, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I own a 2019 Mazda CX-5 AWD equipped with the 2.5L naturally aspirated SKYACTIV-G engine with cylinder deactivation. At approximately 70,491 miles, the vehicle began leaking and burning engine oil, accompanied by a strong burning-oil odor and visible white smoke from the engine bay. This began on or around 7/15/2026 I took the vehicle to an authorized Mazda dealer, which confirmed that the cylinder head is cracked and leaking engine oil. I was quoted approximately $10,000 to repair. The repair is not covered because the vehicle is just outside the factory warranty. I received regular Mazda dealership maintenance through 52,000 miles, then regular 3rd party shops after. The oil is leaking

NHTSA complaint 11753878, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The cylinder head has cracked and is leaking externally. The engine oil that is leaking out is leaking directly onto the hot exhaust manifold. This can place us as risk due to the engine oil getting ignited by the hot exhaust manifold. There were no warning lamps that came on but there was a smell of burning oil that all of a sudden came up through the vents. This vehicle is currently at Woodhouse Mazda in Bellevue, NE and they have confirmed that the leak is active and has damaged the engine beyond repair.

NHTSA complaint 11751895. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I am the owner of a 2019 Mazda CX-5 with approximately 50,000 miles. I am experiencing an active engine oil leak accompanied by a burning smell and visible smoke from the engine compartment. This is consistent with a cracked cylinder head assembly — a known manufacturing defect in 2018–2021 Mazda CX-5 vehicles documented in Mazda's own Service Alert SA-031/21, which Mazda characterizes as a fire hazard. Despite this, Mazda has extended warranty coverage only to turbo-equipped models (Program CSP11), leaving non-turbo owners with the identical defect unprotected. At only 50,000 miles, this is a premature failure caused by a manufacturing defect — not normal wear and tear. Oil leaking onto a

NHTSA complaint 11749139, quoted in part. 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
2018 347 3
2017 148 1
2016 510 4
2015 133 3
2014 377 3
2013 194 1

Other 2019 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