2018 Mazda CX-5: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2018 / mazda / cx-5
known issues	6 clusters (reviewed 2026-07-27)
complaints	117 on file (2023-04-25 → 2026-08-19)
recalls	3
investigations	0
fars	29 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Cracked cylinder head oil leakENGINE67 complaints2023-04 → 2026-07cx-5-2018-cracked-cylinder-head-oil-leak

11744932 Cylinder head suddenly cracked, causing heavy oil leakage onto hot exhaust manifold. Car started to smoke heavily. Vehicle turned off before potential engine fire.
11722628 Cracked cylinder head confirmed by Mazda Dealership. No warning lights or indicators. We noticed white smoke and a burnt plastic smell after a drive one night. Dealership confirmed oil was leaking onto the exhaust, a potential fire hazard.
11637065 Cylinder head cracked at 46,000 miles causing smoke and oil leakage. This was the root of an almost $6,000 repair, leaving me without a vehicle for 15 days. This issue could also lead to more extensive engine problems in the future.

Engine smoke and oil odor entering the cabinENGINE20 complaints2023-05 → 2026-07cx-5-2018-engine-smoke-in-cabin

11628969 The cylinder head cracked while waiting for a light to change at a busy intersection, causing heavy smoke to enter the vehicle through the air vents with the heater on. The smoke filled the car quickly, causing my wife and me to exit the vehicle at the very busy intersection…
11592566 Oil smell in cabin. Diagnosed by independent repair shop as hairline crack in back of cylinder head. Cylinder head replaced at 91000 miles.
11578031 My 2018 Mazda CX-5 had a rubber burning smell and smoke leaked into the cabin. I noticed the next morning, oil leaked onto my driveway. I brought the car to the dealership and they mentioned it was a cracked cylinder head…

Oil leak at head gasket, valve cover, or timing coverENGINE10 complaints2024-03 → 2026-07cx-5-2018-gasket-and-cover-oil-leak

11582466 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…
11644513 There is a cracked cylinder head cover and the oil leaks from the crack onto the manifold causing smoke and burning smell…
11592587 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…

Infotainment ghost touch and volume changesUNKNOWN OR OTHER5 complaints2025-09 → 2026-05cx-5-2018-infotainment-ghost-touch

11740394 Touch Screen and/or infotainment center causing ghost touch. Available for inspection. Ghost touch (known Mazda issue) with touch screen has been changing radio stations, increasing volume to max…
11708847 The infotainment system consistently changes stations and volume on its own. Knob will not allow you to make adjustments . Contacted dealer and infotainment Is not covered under warranty , or extended warranty. Now the collision notification is not working…

Engine failure and power loss while drivingENGINE3 complaints2025-10 → 2026-04cx-5-2018-engine-power-loss

11714123 While driving, my 2018 Mazda CX-5 experienced a sudden and complete loss of engine power without warning. The engine shut down while the vehicle was in motion; however, electrical systems such as the radio, heat, and electronics remained operational…
11693210 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…
11734878 My 2018 Mazda CX five experience catastrophic engine failure at approximately 119,000 miles despite proper maintenance. The failure resulted in a repair estimate exceeding $9500…

Unexpected automatic braking activationFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE2 complaints2024-04 → 2026-04cx-5-2018-unexpected-braking

11584189 Multiple instances of phantom braking, which resulted in two instances where we were just inches from being rear-ended. The circumstances of the phantom braking are similar, and has occured many times…
11730227 I am reporting a safety issue involving engine failure and fumes entering the vehicle cabin as well as unintended braking post major engine repair at 75,000 miles on my 2018 Mazda CX5…

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
117	2023-04-25	2026-08-19	1	0	ENGINE:95; POWER TRAIN:17; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:9; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:3; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE:3

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
18V426000	25/06/2018	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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."	If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.	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. Mazda's number for this recall is 2718F.
19V497000	27/06/2019	ENGINE	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.	An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.	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.
21V875000	12/11/2021	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.	Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.

Investigations all years →

none listed

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	29	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2018 Mazda CX-5 vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/mazda/cx-5

@misc{wrenchpro_2018_mazda_cx_5_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2018 Mazda CX-5},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2018/mazda/cx-5}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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