2018 MAZDA CX-5 Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

ENGINE

60 complaints

Mazda has inspected the car and determined that there is a crack in the cylinder head. This is apparently a known defect in 2018-2021 Mazdas with 2.5L engines, including, without limitation, the 2018 Mazda CX-5. The cracked cylinder head has caused leaking coolant, which can drain into the engine and create serious safety issues. Mazda is aware of the issue, however, they are claiming that it is not covered by warranty.

Dec 16, 2025

Hydraulic lifters keep having issues

Nov 17, 2025

Driving fine at low speeds (under 40mph), once I accelerate to highway speeds the engine misfires, check engine light flashes, Smart City Brake System Malfunction, Radar Malfunction, and car losses all engine power. Car just coast, lights and brakes still work. Check engine code moves around and will be on cylinder 3 sometimes and cylinder 4 other times. Able to replicate this issue multiple times. Serious safety concern.

Oct 13, 2025

2018 Mazda CX-5, 2.5L Naturally Aspirated Engine The vehicle has been diagnosed with a leak from the cylinder head cover, resulting in engine oil dripping directly onto the exhaust manifold. This issue causes noticeable smoke and a strong burning oil odor inside the cabin while the engine is running. This defect presents multiple serious safety concerns: 1) Health hazard due to prolonged exposure to burning oil fumes inside the vehicle. 2) Fire risk from oil contacting hot engine components. 3) Potential engine failure, which could lead to vehicle stalling or loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash and possible loss of life. Mazda issued Technical Service Bulletin TSB #SA-031-21, which introduced a redesigned cylinder head for 2018–2019 CX-5 models. The release of this TSB indicates Mazda’s awareness of the underlying design flaw. There is substantial evidence, including numerous owner reports, that this is a widespread issue affecting these model years. The defect is not related to vehicle mileage or user negligence. Mazda should be held fully accountable and take corrective action by issuing a formal safety recall or offering an extended warranty to affected owners. Immediate attention to this matter is necessary to protect consumer safety and prevent future incidents.

Oct 07, 2025

Cracked cylinder head leaks oil directly onto hot exhaust, causing smoke, fumes in cabin and a fire risk.

Sep 25, 2025

+ 55 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

5 complaints

the cylinder head has a crack in it witch sprays oil all over the engine.it also sprays oil on to the very catalitic converter that's very hot .smoke is everywhere and iam afraid it will cause a fire

Sep 05, 2025

2018 mazda started smoking from under hood and noticed a burning oil smell. Took to mechanic and was told engine head gasket has a huge Crack. Car only has 22k on it and never been in any accident. All appropriate preventative services are up to date. There was no indication light no warning light nothing to identify why the car was leaking oil and smoking until it was looked at. This has multiple.complaints in regards to this specific year and model and needs to be addresses before someone's car catches fire or stalls in the middle of highway

Jun 05, 2024

Noticed an oil smell when driving the vehicle, slightly premature to when it was due for an oil change. Engine was emitting light blue smoke when parked after driving for more than 20 minutes. Took the car to a Mazda dealership to get serviced two days after noticing the issue and was told that the cylinder head was cracked and needed to be replaced. There was oil leaking from the vehicle, which I had not noticed, and it had soaked a lot of the front undercarriage of the car. Research into the effects of an oil leak indicate that it can cause a serious malfunction of the engine and other components of the car, but I did not experience that in the time of noticing the problem and taking the vehicle to get serviced. The problem was diagnosed by the service department at a Mazda dealership and is being repaired there. The oil indicator came on a day after noticing the smell.

Apr 12, 2024

Noticed a burning oil smell coming from the car along with leaking oil in the driveway. Vehicle has 53000 miles on it and was 3 months out of powertrain warranty but still under the 60000 mileage cap. Local Mazda dealership came back saying that it was a "SA-037/23 Oil leak at cylinder head, cylinder head replacement with parts kit" and quoted $5100 to repair. Dealership stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. There were no dash indicator lights or symptoms of overheating to indicate that there was a problem outside of the smell. After the diagnosis was made, we researched and found that this was a commonly reported problem for this model year

Apr 12, 2024

2018 Mazda CX-5 with roughly 52,000 miles on it was emitting a burnt rubber smell and white smoke from the engine. Repair shop thought it was a bad timing lock. Replaced that and car continued to emit white smoke and smell like burnt rubber. Engine then began leaking oil. Took the car back to the repair shop and it was confirmed that the engine had a cracked cylinder head. The repair shop said this is a known issue with 2018-2019 Mazdas. In three days time, the engine leaked roughly 1 quart of oil and was deemed not safe to drive by the repair shop.

Mar 22, 2024

POWER TRAIN

4 complaints

Smelled smoke (burnt oil) for over a year. Dealer could not address. Finally found that the cylinder heads had cracked and required replacement at $7500. Car was only 51K miles.

Feb 24, 2025

This car has a confirmed cracked cylinder head and is leaking oil. This is a known issue and there is a TSB out for it. It happened at $62500 miles and is just outside of the warranty. This has happened to several of these cars. Mazda is not doing "good will" to repair them and there is not yet a recall which there should be. The car suddenly started leaking oil and smoking/burning. It is unsafe and a defective cylinder head. Mazda should be taking responsibility for this

Nov 21, 2024

Cracked cylinder head. Burning oil smell. Coolant leaking into oil. Car purchased a year ago for $21,500. Dealer I bought it from paid 1/2 after sending it out to Mazda to be diagnosed and fixed.

Apr 24, 2024

Oil leak. Smoke from the engine. Inspected by the local body shop, we were told that the leakage would probably come from cylinder head. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Sep 15, 2023

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, there was smoke coming from the engine, and the contact smelled an oil-burning odor. No warning lights were illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cylinder head was damaged, causing oil to leak into the cylinders, and that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and promised to open a case and give the contact a callback within 24 to 48 hours. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

Oct 20, 2025

LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

Back up cameras fail infotainment system reboots and maps on the system inadvertently counts stops plus changes volume at loudspeaker telling me “this is the level “ and is on highest volume. Which you can’t turn down. All are dangerously interfering with driving. Please put pressure on Mazda to fix and not just update software when the problem has been fixed called CMU

Sep 04, 2025

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

The cylinder head on my 2018 Mazda CX-5 developed cracks on the exhaust side, leading to significant oil leakage onto the exhaust manifold. This has caused engine damage and safety concerns. The vehicle is currently at a Mazda dealership, where the issue has been inspected and documented. The component is available for further inspection upon request. The oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold creates a serious fire hazard due to the high heat generated in this area. Additionally, the vehicle experienced burning smells and visible smoke coming through the air vents, which could impair visibility or cause distraction while driving. These conditions place the safety of myself, my passengers, and others on the road at risk. The issue has been confirmed by a Mazda dealership. They provided a video showing oil actively dripping from the cracked cylinder head and stated that the engine requires a full replacement. Mazda dealership video: [XXX] This video contains the engine inspection findings conducted at the dealership during my recent visit. It clearly shows the damage and highlights the issues identified. The vehicle has been inspected by the Mazda dealership service team, who identified the cracks in the cylinder head and documented the oil leakage and related engine damage. There were no warning lamps or messages on the dashboard prior to the failure. The symptoms began with a noticeable burning smell inside the cabin, followed by a slight mist coming out of the air vents and smoke from under the hood. Oil leakage was later observed on the ground, and the coolant level appeared empty. I’ve received a video inspection of my vehicle from the service center on March 7, 2024 with no concerns at that time, which you can view here: [XXX] . This link leads to TruVideo, a platform that many dealerships use to share service videos with customers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Dec 17, 2024

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

The cylinder head cracked and broke resulting in a massive oil leak that covered all the parts under my car and under the hood and engine which in result started to smoke. This is not only a major issue of extremely costly repairs but more importantly also serves as a major safety issue. This could had caused fire to the vehicle and also engine misfire resulting in engine failure while in drive and potentially lead to critical injury or death for me and my family. Mazda was aware of their poorly designed engineering for this critical and extremely important component and it is known Mazda recognized the issue by issuing a TSB. After further research there are numerous TSB issued for multiple engine failures with Mazda. It is also known that certain VIN number vehicles manufactured with this defect are commonly reported and have experienced this exact same issue within only a few years and or very low mileage. This is a major mechanical failure to happen to vehicles within a short time span of purchase and results in loss of customer trust and loyalty. As a first time car buyer I am deeply dissatisfied and disappointed with Mazda. I would not had purchased a brand new car if I would had known I would experience this only at 5 years and 71 thousand miles. My vehicle was inspected and diagnosed by a certified Mazda dealership. I was advised and informed that this is a huge issue that has happened with all customers. Mazda knowingly neglected the proper manufacturing and engineering for the cylinder head and other engine parts, which is the most critical component to any vehicle to function and operate. Lastly what is more concerning was that there was no warning signs such as lights or sensors that were triggered as warning of the issue and vehicle failure posing as another safety concern for drivers.

Apr 25, 2024

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

The cylinder head and timing cover are leaking oil and need to be replaced. It is at the dealer and available for inspection. The car started smoking and lost oil obscuring my vision. The problem appears to be well known by the dealer and they were able to diagnose the issue. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealer where I purchased it. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. This vehicle has had regular maintenance per the manufacturers specifications since it was purchased new.

Apr 11, 2024

⭐

4.5/5.0

64 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 have?

The 2018 MAZDA CX-5 currently has 74 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2018 MAZDA CX-5?

The most common problems reported for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2018 MAZDA CX-5 problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.