Most common 2018 Mazda CX-5 problems
Share of the 351 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda CX-5 complaints by model year
Best CX-5 years: 2015, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2016, 2014, 2018. Compare all years →
2018 Mazda CX-5 recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
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.
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.
Air bags › Side/window
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.
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.
What 2018 Mazda CX-5 owners say
Engine & cooling all 182 →
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 vehicle with a cracked cylinder head and recommended that the vehicle be taken to the dealer for additional diagnostic tests. …
While driving, my car has stopped two times. first time I crashed on the side of road causing all of my tires and rim busted and had to replace all of them. I had no idea what was going on. second time I was taking kids to school where can just stopped in the middle of road and restarted. Recently it was smelling so I took it to dealer where they said its one of the cylinder and its not safe to drive so they replaced it as its under warranty. While my car is been with Mazda dealer I have been using their loaner car. but then received this letter of Safety recall on similar issue i had in the past and i have been trying to contact Mazda but no success. no email, chat or phone call response. I do not feel safe to drive this car which i bought in 2018, its been having lot of engine related issues. and i do not feel safe to drive this car with my kids in it. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 42 →
While driving, my car has stopped two times. first time I crashed on the side of road causing all of my tires and rim busted and had to replace all of them. I had no idea what was going on. second time I was taking kids to school where can just stopped in the middle of road and restarted. Recently it was smelling so I took it to dealer where they said its one of the cylinder and its not safe to drive so they replaced it as its under warranty. While my car is been with Mazda dealer I have been using their loaner car. but then received this letter of Safety recall on similar issue i had in the past and i have been trying to contact Mazda but no success. no email, chat or phone call response. I do not feel safe to drive this car which i bought in 2018, its been having lot of engine related issues. and i do not feel safe to drive this car with my kids in it. …
My 2018 CX5 just hit 50,000 miles recently and I smelled something burning and saw smoke coming from the hood while I was stopped for a school bus. I immediately stopped driving due to fire concerns. The vehicle has a cracked cylinder which is a known issue for this vehicle. Mazda has no plans to correct this issue other than issuing a technical bulletin. I feel that Mazda should repair this at their cost because it is a defect and the vehicle only has 50,000 miles. Instead I have to pay nearly $5,000. This is hard to believe! Transcript from dealer: The technician reported an oil leak from the cylinder head, specifically indicating a crack in the number four lifter valley that is causing fluid to leak down the engine block. This issue is recognized as a known problem, and the technician will check if it is covered under warranty. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 39 →
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently decelerated and lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with fuel pump failure and fuel pump rail failure. The contact was informed that the fuel pump and the fuel rail needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal failed to respond when depressed, and the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The contact contacted an independent mechanic who informed her that the fuel pump had failed. The contact notified the local dealer of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact notified a second dealer; McDonald Mazda South (6100 S Broadway, Littleton, CO 80121) but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
2018 Mazda CX-5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 28 / 31 / 29 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 31 / 28 |
| 2.2L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 27 / 30 / 28 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 24 / 30 / 26 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 a good car?
Based on 351 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 CX-5 rates use caution: 2.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the CX-5 at the same age. It is one of the CX-5 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Mazda CX-5?
The engine & cooling — 182 complaints, 52% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (42) and fuel & propulsion system (39).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2018 Mazda CX-5, the most recent from November 12, 2021 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda CX-5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2014 and 2018. See the full Mazda CX-5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Mazda CX-5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 15,000 miles; 78% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.