10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,962 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Aug 142023

CX-5

  • miles
The vehicle starting stalling, check engine light would come on, and the vehicle would slipped into -??limp mode-?? while traveling on the freeway. I was amount in two auto collisions because of the vehicle slowing down in the middle of the highway. The problem started in August 2023 and was towed to the dealer on one occasions and towed to my home on another occasion. The dealer ran a diagnostic and said it was the brand new battery I had installed and then the catalytic converter. After repairing both; the vehicle proceeded to not drive over 30 miles per hour. The dealer said it was the engine and then said it was something else. I-??ve expressed that the symptoms are those more aligned to the PCM issue recalled on 2019. A actual diagnostic report from Auto Zone supports this. The vehicle has also been inspected by another Mazda dealer and a stand alone mechanic.

- Katy , TX, USA

problem #55

Sep 302024

CX-5

  • miles
At 49k miles and 4 months out of warranty, the car began leaking oil and smelling like smoke. The dealer diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head and repaired it.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #54

Oct 032024

CX-5

  • miles
CX5 Cylinder head cracked at 53,500 miles. Was driving when received engine overheating and pull over immediately warning. The car smelled like maple syrup as it was engine coolant burning. Took it to the dealership and they informed me of the cylinder failure. It is currently awaiting parts and its not under warranty.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

problem #53

Oct 042024

CX-5

  • miles
Cracked cylinder head requiring replacement at 62,000 miles.

- Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, USA

problem #52

Sep 192024

CX-5

  • miles
While driving, I received a warning that the engine in my car was overheating. Upon arriving home and parking, I noticed pooling under the car. My car was due for an oil change so the next day I dropped off the car for the oil change and mentioned the overheating message and leak to the technician thinking the fix would be routine. To my surprise, I was told my vehicle had a serious coolant leak related to a cracked cylinder. I was advised to take the vehicle to a Mazda dealer. Morrie's Mazda in Minnetonka, MN confirmed the cracked cylinder head which required a full engine replacement despite the car being only ~5 years old and having ~63,000 miles. Mazda had issued a technical service bulletin on this issue but had not issued a recall. As a result, I was left with a large repair bill to replace the engine in a relatively new car. This is a serious issue and I feel Mazda put my life and others in jeopardy by not recalling vehicles and letting customers drive with the risk of the engine overheating.

- Saint Louis Park, MN, USA

problem #51

Sep 132024

CX-5

  • miles
Coolant leaks at cylinder head on 2019 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring Reserve. Mazda North American Operations released a technical service bulletin (01-013/21) regarding 2016-2020 Mazda CX-5, CX-9, and Mazda6 with SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engines. This issue can cause the engine to leak coolant, overheat, and stall, potentially leaving the driver and passengers stranded in an unsafe location. Mazda is aware of this manufacturing defect but has not recalled these engines to be repaired or replaced if they are outside of their manufacturers warranty period and placing costly repairs and potentially life-threatening situations as the responsibility to their customers. The diagnosis to repair this issue is a replacement of the cylinder head/sleeve or replacement of the engine block, which has since been modified by Mazda to resolve this issue. This is a costly repair for diagnostics, labor hours, and parts and Mazda is refusing to be held responsible for these defects outside of the power train warranty period. Mazda customer support advised this will only be potentially covered if diagnostics are completed at a Mazda dealership and does not provide any assistance if the customer uses a non-Mazda affiliated repair shop. Messaging on the dash console advised excessive heat and thermostat was nearing 260?F

- Cheektowaga, NY, USA

problem #50

Sep 112024

CX-5

  • miles
Started smelling smoke randomly and discovered an apparent oil leak in the engine. Mechanic inspected and noted that it appears to be an issue relating to the cylinder head/head gasket, which is in line with a technical services bulletin put out by Mazda several years ago for this make/model/year for a known design flaw that can result in catastrophic engine failure. I am just outside the five year warranty but well under the 60,000 miles, so expecting them to tell me they won't cover the repair even though this should have been a recall due to the potential outcome. I cannot drive the vehicle until this is repaired because it can cause engine fires (or worse).

- Linthicum, MD, USA

problem #49

Sep 052024

CX-5

  • miles
There is a coolant leak at the cylinder head. We have been told that the cylinder is cracked at the back of the cylinder head where the exhaust ports meet. The dealer's technician said there is a "redesign" in the cylinder head. This is a known issue that is a defect apparently due to Mazda's design of securing the turbo on exhaust studs that are not designed to hold the weight. Why has there not been a recall? There is a Mazda TSB - 01-013/21, issued 10/15/2021 Verbal estimate from dealer for repair - over $7,000

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #48

Sep 062024

CX-5

  • miles
My vehicle started smoking and I smelled a oil burning smell coming through the vents. I took it to the Mazda dealership and they diagnosed it with a cracked cylinder head. The repair estimate is $4,900. It is a 2019 with less than 60,000 miles, but it is a few months out of the powertrain warranty. However, this is a KNOWN issue to Mazda. As I have been researching online, many Mazda CX-5 owners have reported the same issue and I believe Mazda has traced it back to defective manufacturing in a batch of these parts. My local mechanic has also told us that he has seen this issue with 2019 Mazda CX-5s and recommended we report them. Mazda SHOULD issue a recall, but I understand that is expensive for them. At the very least, they should alerting drivers to this possibility and voluntarily repairing these cylinders without cost to unsuspecting drivers who could end up with an engine fire. I have submitted a complaint to Mazda customer service and I am awaiting a response.

- Allendale, NJ, USA

problem #47

Nov 232023

CX-5

  • miles
I am writing to express serious concerns regarding the recent service that occurred on November 14th, 2023. Due to the service's failure and negligence, Luther Brookdale Mazda has jeopardized the safety and well-being of my family members. On [XXX], my 2019 CX-5 was towed from Monticello, Minnesota, to the dealership in Brooklyn Center around 9 pm. While returning from [XXX] dinner in St. Cloud on [XXX], a sudden warning appeared on the dashboard: "Engine Coolant Temperature High. Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe place." Upon receiving this notification, we pulled over to the shoulder and observed smoke emanating from the engine bay. We promptly turned off the vehicle. Concerned for our safety, we contacted our family to pick us up and had the vehicle towed by AAA. As we awaited the tow truck's arrival, we noticed coolant had sprayed all over the engine under the hood, and the engine cover was missing. Furthermore, the coolant reservoir was below the minimum threshold. This particular issue is the reason I brought the vehicle in for service the week prior, regarding insufficient coolant temperature. It was evident from the state of the engine bay that the dealership failed to follow proper protocol. This lack of oversight likely resulted in damage to the engine and other essential vehicle components, leading to the total loss of the car. I am deeply disappointed by the lack of care and attention to detail in the service provided. This negligence also compromised my family's safety. Moreover, what was meant to be a festive holiday was marred due to the disregard for my property. I have been a loyal customer at Luther Mazda Brooklyn Park for several years, and I am shocked by the incident that has transpired. We have approached the dealer with the issue and they are continue to articulate that there is no engine damage, but with the ongoing class action lawsuit, I am extremely skeptical of their claims. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #46

Aug 222024

CX-5

  • miles
This report is for a 2019 Mazda CX-5 with the Naturally Aspirated/Non-Turbo engine. This vehicle only has 26,500 miles and has developed a major oil leak from a cracked Cylinder Head. The continued safety of the vehicle has been degraded. The engine could seize while driving making the vehicle inoperable while on roadways. The vehicle has been inspected and confirmed by both an independent service center and by an authorized dealer service center. The only warning lamp that appeared was a low oil light. I immediately pulled over for safety and inspected the oil levels of the engine. I determined the engine oil levels were just below the fill line on the dip stick. I then added approximately half a quart of recommended oil and the oil warning light turned off. I then contacted a local service center for diagnostics of the problem. They determined the cause of the oil leak which was a Cracked Cylinder Head on the Engine. I then drove the vehicle to an authorized Mazda service center at the dealership. They also diagnosed the problem as a Cracked Cylinder Head on the Engine. Both the independent service center and the authorized Mazda service center recommended a full Engine replacement.

- St George, UT, USA

problem #45

Aug 312022

CX-5

  • miles
I have a 2019 CX5 Mazda that consistently leaks oil and smokes. After taking it to a mechanic, I learned that this is a known Mazda issue, but because my car is under warranty, they won't help me. The Cylinder head is pours, and my mechanic said even if he replaces it, it will happen again due to the design. After I have checked online, it seems that MANY people have this issue from 2018-2021. Mazda even made TSB #SA-031-21 to cover some of this issue but no recall. As mentioned, my car leaks oil everyday, and I have to constantly put oil in just to keep it from burning up. It smokes really bad, but I cannot afford a new car or afford to pay over $3K to get this fixed, or don't understand why they won't fix it if they know it was poor design"?"

- Morongo Valley, CA, USA

problem #44

May 012024

CX-5

  • miles
UNKNOWN. Vehicle stalls and jumps when I step on the gas pedal or try to increase speed.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #43

Jun 012024

CX-5

  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle was smoking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that there was oil leaking from the main gasket and referred the contact to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 31,000.

- Cedar Knolls, NJ, USA

problem #42

Jul 242024

CX-5

  • miles
The 2019 Mazda CX5 GT started to make a clicking noise coming from the engine. After much investigation online, sharing multiple resources of videos and sound this seems to be the hydraulic lash adjusters for this specific year and model. Unfortunately this is outside the normal warranty and wasn't noticed until now. The car was inspected by local independent service center. This would pose risk to my family and others if the vehicle seized to work properly. There were no warnings given other than the clicking noise and inspected.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #41

Aug 032023

CX-5

  • miles
engine head crack causing antifreeze leak. caught problem at 65980 miles. Defect confirmed by dealer. I had no indication of problem, only a terrible smell/odor. Dealer indicated a $6000+ cost of repair.(out of warranty). Thank goodness for extended warranty I purchased. I feel Mazda should be held accountable.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #40

Jun 012024

CX-5

  • miles
Went to drive home from work one night, car had been normal until this event. Car suddenly began to state that it was overheating and throttled my speed down to 20 MPH. I was in the middle of traffic going 40-50 at this time. Turns out there is a VSB regarding a coolant leak that can occur and break. Nothing about how you are suddenly governed to 20 MPH

- East Corinth, VT, USA

problem #39

Apr 222024

CX-5

  • miles
I had just had my car serviced for 30k services and about 2 months later smoke was coming out of my engine after driving. Took it in and it turned out to be a cracked cylinder head. None of my lights were on indicating there was an issue either. I was told this is a known issue with Mazda and should be a recall but there still isn-??t one. TSB#SA-031-21

- Boise, ID, USA

problem #38

May 182024

CX-5

  • miles
Crack head leaking oil

- Pompton Plains, NJ, USA

problem #37

Apr 192024

CX-5

  • miles
The Cylinder head cracked and caused oil to spill out. This was inspected at Towne Mazda in Orchard Park, NY. I was driving ~50 miles when the issue occurred, and had driven approximately 40 of the 50 miles when me and my sister pulled over and noticed my engine smoking and the burning smell to be pungent. Had I not pulled over, It could have led to engine misfire and damage to other parts of my vehicle. The Dealer confirmed the need for a new cylinder head and parts, and is currently repairing the vehicle. The Component was not recently inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance. During the course of driving, after about ~35 miles, the oil pressure light turned on. I drove roughly 5 more miles before I pulled the car over to have it towed to my Mazda dealership.

- East Aurora, NY, USA

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