2018 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
474 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2018 Mazda CX-5, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 64/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 29,837 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2018 Mazda CX-5 sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2022.
Avoid
Where 2018 sits among all CX-5 years
What owners report
“Cracked cylinder head at 75000 miles causing oil to leak, Mazda dealership called it a fire risk”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 CX-5
“Infotainment system randomly changes without user input. Distracting when randomly changes channels, brightness. Dangerous when randomly increases volume to maximum settings during driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 CX-5
“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”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 CX-5
“2018 mazda cx-5. Consumer writes regarding fuel pump recall on vehicle. The consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time finding a remedy for the fuel pump recall.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 CX-5
“Car burst into flames while driving on highway, unknown cause, suspect electrical or fuel system related”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 CX-5
“I had my brakes replaced and when they reactivated the parking brake, it's only working on one side of the car. The mechanic informed me that the car has a faulty actuator and this is a very common problem with my car.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2018 CX-5
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 109 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 11,700 miles. Half of those reports fall between 3,250 and 33,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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 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…
Fix: 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.…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 drew 474 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 64/100, scored against the model's worst year (2016).
What are the most common 2018 Mazda CX-5 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2018 Mazda CX-5 are engine (179 complaints), other (64), and transmission & drivetrain (41).
At what mileage do 2018 Mazda CX-5 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2018 Mazda CX-5 problems around 11,700 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 3,250 and 33,000 miles.
Does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2018 Mazda CX-5. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.