The 2018 Mazda CX-5 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 383,940 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 470 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 TRAIN19V4970002019-06-27262,220 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
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. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
AIR BAGS18V4260002018-06-25682 affected
Defect
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)…
Consequence
If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
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. Mazda's number for this recall is 2718F.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
174
4crashes1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
58
4crashes1injuries
POWER TRAIN
41
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES
32
7crashes1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
29
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
19
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
18
STRUCTURE:BODY
12
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
11
4crashes
AIR BAGS
9
4crashes1injuries
Total complaints470
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I am submitting this complaint regarding a cylinder head failure on my mazda cx-5. The vehicle has approximately 53,000 miles and has been properly maintained throughout its service life. The vehicle developed a crack in the cylinder head, which was subsequently confirmed by an authorized mazda…”
“Cylinder head suddenly cracked, causing heavy oil leakage onto hot exhaust manifold. Car started to smoke heavily. Vehicle turned off before potential engine fire.”
“We purchased this vehicle used from mazda of orange in july 2025 with 52,399 miles on it. After 6 months of ownership and approximately 3,000 miles there was a burning smell. We took it to our local mechanic and the following repairs were required: replacement of cracked belts, replacement of…”
“We purchased this vehicle used from mazda of orange in july 2025 with 52,399 miles on it. After 6 months of ownership and approximately 3,000 miles there was a burning smell. We took it to our local mechanic and the following repairs were required: replacement of cracked belts, replacement of…”
“Like many other complaints. My 2018 mazda cx5 gt is having the same issue with the cracked cylinder head. I only have about 36-38k mileage on it ( I forgot the exact). Mazda dealership will not cover the cost. Never had an accident to the front and only one accident to the back when I got rear…”
“Like many other complaints. My 2018 mazda cx5 gt is having the same issue with the cracked cylinder head. I only have about 36-38k mileage on it ( I forgot the exact). Mazda dealership will not cover the cost. Never had an accident to the front and only one accident to the back when I got rear…”
“Sunroof blew out while driving down interstate highway. There was no impact that we are aware of, just a complete failure of the sunroof glass. The sunroof was closed, with the shade also closed, so no glass fell down into the vehicle. The glass blew out with a very loud explosion that startled…”
“2018 mazda cx-5 awd with 2.5 l engine, non turbo. Car has 98,914 miles. Rear differential started leaking oil. Dealer stated that the differential needs to be replaced, for $5,003.33. Manual does not provide for oil change intervals. Lifetime oil. 98k must be the life expectancy. Has not been…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Mazda CX-5 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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