Mazda CX-5 engine problems, 2016–2026
510 of the 1,743 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda CX-5 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2018 (181), 2019 (135), 2021 (82). Filed under the same heading across these years: 7 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Mazda CX-5 engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 7 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 6 | 22% | — | 46 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 7 | 16% | — | 63 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 12 | 19% | — | 85 TSBs | the year → |
| 2022 | 13 | 21% | — | 93 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 82 | 56% | — | 155 TSBs | the record → |
| 2020 | 18 | 17% | — | 132 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 in depth | 135 | 50% | 31k | 189 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 181 | 52% | 28k | 186 TSBs | the record → |
| 2017 | 16 | 11% | — | 88 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 40 | 8% | 28k | 121 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 4 · 2017: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2019: 9 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 31 · 2022: 59 · 2023: 72 · 2024: 116 · 2025: 110 · 2026: 90
Across the model years, half of the 85 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 8,000 and 76,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
2018 Mazda Cx-5 grand touring. Alternator/ac serpentine belt tensioner leaks oil (its hydraulic) and if fails could cause belt to come off without warning and leave you stranded. Dealership indicates this is not warranted
On may 9, 2020, our Mazda Cx-5 lost thrust, stalled and came to a complete stop while driving on a highway going 55 MPH on a straight 3 lane road. This occurred despite the PCM programming was re-calibrated due to a manufacturer recall in september 2019 (NHTSA recall no. 19v497000).
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated became aware of engine oil on his driveway. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, there was an abnormal oil burning odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated the check engine warning was illuminated.
I drove my wife to work and noticed that the car was stuttering and had weak acceleration. I parked in my garage and a couple of hours later returned to see a massive oil leak on my driveway, I had to tow the car to the nearest dealership where a cracked cylinder was diagnosed. There was also a terrible burning smell.
Excessive oil consumption. After 3,000 miles driving, need to add a quart of oil as ‘oil low’ light comes on. Vehicle is 1 year old, and this happened at 3,700 miles on the odometer. Has happened after every oil change at around 3,700-4,200 miles driven
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- 19V497000 HighJun 27, 2019 · 262,220 vehicles
- 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.
7 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Oct 1, 2026
- NOTE: This service information only applies to vehicles with PYUKD engine and EGR. DESCRIPTION DTC P0402 EGR malfunctions may be falsely detected due to an internal malfunction of the MAP sensor. REPAIR PROCEDURE 1. Using MDARS, verify DTC P0402 is set in current or past history.
- Sep 4, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote functions inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / U
- Aug 10, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2). This is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fitting during the manufacturing process. The accumulated coolant is solidified and plugs the gap in high
- Aug 6, 2026
- Some vehicle may exhibit the CHECK ENGINE light on with DTC P0524 (Engine oil pressure control system: Oil pressure decrease) and no abnormal engine noise. This may be caused by a malfunction of the oil pressure control valve (located at the rear of the engine block near the oil filter) due to machining contamination inside the electromagnet sleeve and the solenoid plunger remaining during manufac
- Jul 1, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-017/25 12/16/25, 09/08/25, 07/14/25, 05/15/25 and 03/21/25 DESCRIPTION Mazda Connect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting Started Dealer Processes Registration / Enrollment / Take-Over Customer Subscription Status WI-FI General I
- Jun 19, 2026
- This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the elec
- Apr 16, 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly, the replacement engine may f
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Mazda CX-5
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Mazda CX-5 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Mazda CX-5 years have the most engine complaints?
2018, 181; 2019, 135; 2021, 82. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (56%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Mazda CX-5?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 19V497000 (2019). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Mazda CX-5?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 31,673 miles across the model years; half of them between 8,000 and 76,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.