Mazda CX-5 Fuel System Problems

Owners have filed 142 complaints about fuel & propulsion system problems with the Mazda CX-5 — 6% of all CX-5 complaints. The worst model years are 2018 (39), 2019 (21) and 2016 (20). Problems typically start around 39,000 miles. 2 related recalls have been issued.

142complaints
2018worst year
39ktypical miles
2related recalls
6crashes
4fires

Fuel System complaints by model year

20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026107720163921484213
Fuel System complaints per model year, Mazda CX-5.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2025311%—
202412%—
202323%—
202246%3,000 miles
202185%2,000 miles
202044%6,000 miles
2019218%24,000 miles
20183911%35,000 miles
20171611%40,000 miles
2016204%35,000 miles
201575%75,000 miles
201472%16,000 miles
2013105%75,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Delivery › Fuel pump
    2

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    2145%
  • 25k–50k
    1123%
  • 50k–75k
    715%
  • 75k–100k
    613%
  • 100k–150k
    24%
  • 150k+
    00%

What owners report

The vehicle exhibits a repeatable low-speed driveline-related problem consisting of pronounced clicking or clunking from the driver-front area, fore-and-aft jerking, and harsh engagement during deceleration and light on/off-throttle transitions, particularly around 15-17 mph; the behavior can become significantly worse over rough or uneven terrain. The exact failed component or system has not yet been identified. The vehicle is still essentially new, with fewer than 5,000 miles, and has not yet reached its first scheduled service interval, so it has not yet been formally inspected for this condition. No warning lamp or diagnostic message has appeared. …

2025 CX-5 · Aug 2026

At stop signs, in a row of 3 or 4 cars, on the 3rd or 4th stop, I apply the brake but it accelerates as i am braking, moving forward 8 or 10 feet. Over the course of 1800 miles, this has occurred 3 or 4 times, narrowly avoiding collisions.

2025 CX-5 · Nov 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that moments after the vehicle stalled, the vehicle independently accelerated. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal fuel and burning odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,314.

2022 CX-5 · 3,000 miles · Aug 2022

The vehicle unexpectedly caught fire and the results could have been catastrophic. Almost new car under warranty. All details are in the uploaded PDF letter and photos. I have contacted Mazda and they claim they do not investigate, only insurance company will investigate. My insurance company will pay me for the total loss but does not plan to investigate. I think this is dangerous and unconscionable. Thank you for any help or guidance.

2022 CX-5 · Dec 2023 · fire

On April 16, 2022, around 6:45PM, I drove my new Mazda CX5 (@ 3500 miles) into our church parking lot and turned right down the first row of cars. It was light out and the weather was pleasant. I turned right into a parking space with my foot on the brake. The car was facing and perpendicular to a sidewalk that was about 10 feet away. It was separated by a grassy median. When I depressed the brake further to shift from drive into park, the car surged forward and accelerated. There was a pedestrian on the sidewalk in front of the car. I turned the wheel to the right at a 90 degree angle to avoid hitting her. I kept pressing the brake but the car kept accelerating until it crashed into a large tree. The airbag deployed. Both the pedestrian and I were transported to the hospital. …

2021 CX-5 · Apr 2022 · crash · 2 injuries

The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that the fuel gauge was not operating properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer reprogrammed the Transmission Control Unit (TCU). However, the failure recurred. After taking the vehicle back from the dealer, the contact was driving at an undisclosed speed, when the windshield wiper inadvertently engaged, and several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the headlights inadvertently turned off and the steering wheel pulled the contact's arm down and the vehicle went to the median, running over a metal pole. The cruise control would not deactivate, and the brakes would not engage immediately. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Hiley Mazda of Huntsville (6934 Hwy 72 W, Huntsville, AL 35806). …

2021 CX-5 · 2,000 miles · Nov 2021

Car "died" while idling at a traffic light. It started but would not start several hours later and car was towed to mechanic. Diagnostics "determined "after several days that car needed an ECM. ECM was ordered and replaced, along with the battery. This took several weeks, in the meantime, I had to rent a vehicle. Vehicle picked up on May 29th and driven 250 miles and car sputtered, hesitated, slowing down in heavy traffic at high speeds on highway, putting other drivers and myself in a very unsafe situation. Several days later this happened again while traveling back home, again, at highway speed putting other drivers and myself in high risk situation. (This happened several times during both trips.) As I was focused on the road, I did not see if any messages were displayed. After returning home, the mechanic was informed via voice mail and again via telephone. …

2020 CX-5 · May 2025

The car has signs of current recall in other Cx-5 Models. Hesitation with acceleration or driving at high speed, reduced power, not responding appropriately when accelerating or would accelerate on its own, strong smell of gas after the car has been driven and is parked. I know there is currently a recall for a gas pump failure. There is no engine light on.

2020 CX-5 · Feb 2023

Related recalls (2)

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 21V-875 · Nov 12, 2021 · 121,038 vehicles

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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap

NHTSA recall 16V-064 · Feb 3, 2016 · 268,799 vehicles

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda CX-5 vehicles manufactured June 27, 2013, to February 2, 2016. The affected vehicles have a fuel filler pipe that may rupture in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will alter the attachment between the fuel filler pipe and the left rear side of the bracket of the fuel filler pipe, free of charge. The recall began on February 25, 2016.

Frequently asked questions

Which Mazda CX-5 years have fuel system problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (39), 2019 (21), 2016 (20), 2017 (16) and 2013 (10) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2018.

Is there a recall for Mazda CX-5 fuel system problems?

Yes — 2 recalls, including 21V-875 (fuel pump, Nov 12, 2021); 16V-064 (filler pipe and cap, Feb 3, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Mazda CX-5 fuel system problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles; 68% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (2 mentions).

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.