Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda CX-5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine179
- Unknown or other58
- Power train42
- Service brakes32
- Electrical system29
- Fuel/propulsion system20
- Fuel system, gasoline19
- Vehicle speed control13
- Forward collision avoidance13
- Structure12
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 42 2018 CX-5 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 23 people died inside them, and 4 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Mazda CX-5 failed the safety check 1.89% of the time — 15% more often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 51,295 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2018
66,489 new Mazda CX-5 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were Germany (20,019), the United Kingdom (10,318), Spain (8,806).
- Average mass
- 1,552 kg
- Average CO₂
- 177 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 126 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 64% · Diesel 36%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2018 Mazda CX-5 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (121 kW, 162 hp), 2.5 petrol (143 kW, 192 hp) and 2.0 petrol (118 kW, 158 hp), out of 5 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 121 kW 162 hp | 4,185 |
| 2.5 petrol | 143 kW 192 hp | 1,101 |
| 2.0 petrol | 118 kW 158 hp | 542 |
| 2.0 petrol | 120 kW 161 hp | 272 |
| 2.2 diesel | 110 kW 148 hp | 45 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
6,180 first registered in 2018 are on Dutch roads; 39% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €39,094.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,917
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld667
- Band onvoldoende profiel611
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht607
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm414
- Band beschadigd411
- Remschijf ernstig gecorrodeerd279
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage215
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
9,903 cars built in 2018 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 60 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 10,117 of these cars first registered in 2018 took their annual MOT test. 86% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2018 the figure was 84%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 4.7% | 3.6% |
| Tyres | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| Brakes | 3.3% | 2.9% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.3% | 4.0% |
| Suspension | 1.2% | 1.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.4% | 1.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
228 of these cars first registered in 2018 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 108,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
4,323 2018 cars are on the New Zealand register; 17% arrived as used imports, 82% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 4 variants; 2 of 4 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | 16.9 % |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | 17.4 % |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | 17.4 % |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Early Release | ★★★★☆ | 16.9 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 8.5–9.3 L/100 km (about 25–28 mpg US), CO₂ 201–217 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 (Cylinder Deactivation) · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 7.6 | 8.5 |
| CX-5 · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.7 | 7.7 | 8.8 |
| CX-5 · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.7 | 7.8 | 8.8 |
| CX-5 4WD (Cylinder Deactivation) · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.8 | 7.9 | 9.0 |
| CX-5 4WD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 10.2 | 8.2 | 9.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 Mazda CX-5.
| 2021696 12 Nov 2021 | Fuel System Issue: On certain vehicles, the fuel pump could fail. If this happens, the engine may run rough or may not start and the check engine light may turn on. This … |
| 2019322 27 Jun 2019 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, a software error in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) could cause the valve clearance adjuster not to work properly. This could … |
| 2018341 22 Jun 2018 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the side curtain airbags may not unfold properly during deployment. This could increase the risk of injury to an occupant in the event of a… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mazda told its dealers about the 2018 Mazda CX-5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11011345 | CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a recall campaign. Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. As of November 18, 2024 Repair Procedures and Parts and Warranty documents are available. |
| 11011341 | CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a recall campaign. Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. As of November 18, 2024 Repair Procedures and Parts and Warranty documents are available. |
| 11011338 | CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a recall campaign. Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. As of November 18, 2024 Repair Procedures and Parts and Warranty documents are available. |
| 11011336 | CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a recall campaign. Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. As of November 18, 2024 Repair Procedures and Parts and Warranty documents are available. |
| 11011331 | CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a recall campaign. Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. As of November 18, 2024 Repair Procedures and Parts and Warranty documents are available. |
| 11011326 | CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a recall campaign. Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. As of November 18, 2024 Repair Procedures and Parts and Warranty documents are available. |
| 11011141 | Some customers may report concerns with interior upholstery surface stains particularly on high contact areas (e.g.: seats, steering wheel, door panels, shifter...etc.). This may be caused by skin oils or chemicals such as hand lotions. |
| 11011137 | On certain subject vehicles, the check engine light is illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0126, due to the fail-safe thermostat being stuck open. Additionally, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: -Engine takes longer to warm up. -Engine temperature gauge fluctuates. -Low coolant temperature indicator (blue) light stays on longer or turns on while driving. -Poor heater performance, especially at idle. This warranty extension program applies only to the replacement of fail-safe thermostat of the vehicle exhibiting the concerns mentioned above. If the check engine l |
| 11011133 | Some customers may experience a check engine light ON with DTC P0126:00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: Engine takes longer to warm up. Engine temperature gauge fluctuates. Low coolant temperature indicator (blue) light stays on longer or turns on while driving. Poor heater performance, especially at idle. |
| 11010990 | Some 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 certain situations. To eliminate this concern, the anti-fog coating performance was improved. |
| 11009665 | Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Special Service Program (SSP) to extend the warranty coverage for a specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat in the coolant control valve on certain CX-5, Mazda3, CX-3, Mazda6 and CX-30 vehicles that are equipped with the suspected coolant control valve. The warranty coverage for a specific repair of fail-safe thermostat has been extended to 15 years (180 months) /150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first, from the original warranty start date. Concern Outline: On certain subject vehicles, the check engine light is illuminated with DTC |
| 11009664 | Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct a Special Service Program (SSP) to extend the warranty coverage for a specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat in the coolant control valve on certain CX-5, Mazda3, CX-3, Mazda6 and CX-30 vehicles that are equipped with the suspected coolant control valve. The warranty coverage for a specific repair of fail-safe thermostat has been extended to 15 years (180 months) /150,000 miles (240,000 km) whichever comes first, from the original warranty start date. Concern Outline: On certain subject vehicles, the check engine light is illuminated with DTC |
| 11009654 | The 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 the SKYACTIV-DRIVE series AT. It is a low viscosity formula with less friction for better fuel economy. NOTE: ATF-FZ is colored blue for easy identification. |
| 11009647 | A new cylinder head assembly for service parts has been newly established for SKYACTIV-G 2.5 with cylinder deactivation when replacement is needed. Valves, valve springs, valve spring seats, and cotters (IN/EX) are included in the new assembly. Hotline and MASH authorization is not required to order parts for performing this repair. If there are any questions on part ordering or part status, contact the Dealer Assistance Group. |
| 11009644 | Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern. |
| 11009630 | Some 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 TCM control logic has been modified. NOTE: If the calibration file of the concerned vehicle is not found in the Calibration Files Information below, this Service Information is not applicable. |
| 11009628 | Some 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 TCM control logic has been modified. NOTE: If the calibration file of the concerned vehicle is not found in the Calibration Files Information below, this Service Information is not applicable. |
| 11008577 | Some customers may complain about scratches on the instrument cluster lens. |
| 11007029 | For improvement of electrical diagnosis, the SKYACTIV Wiring Terminal Test Kits has been delivered all the dealers. The terminal test kit enables you: To check pin fit drag of all PCM terminals used in SKYACTIV vehicles and compare suspect terminal drag with a known good terminal. To measure the voltage/resistance avoiding any terminal damage. |
| 11007022 | Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection. |
| 11007019 | If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. |
| 11007018 | Interior parts made of resin have antistatic coating to prevent dust from sticking on the surfaces, and depending on the conditions of use, the antistatic components may crystallize slightly, giving an appearance of white stains on the surface. To remove the stains, wipe the stained surface with a towel soaked with water mixed with a small portion of a neutral detergent. If the white stains reappear again, simply wipe them again in the same way. |
| 11007013 | Auxiliary key blank cutting procedure. There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank. A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method |
| 11007010 | Some 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 fluid or oil leak and use the following examples as a guide to determine if it is severe enough to require a repair, or just to clean the area and monitor it at the next service. |
| 11007009 | Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)