10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,735 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2019 Mazda CX-5 engine problems

engine problem

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2019 Mazda CX-5 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #41

Aug 032023

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

problem #36

Feb 092024

CX-5

  • miles
As I was driving home one day in February 2024, my car felt like a strong gust of wind was getting up underneath the hood of my car, causing it to pull left and right slightly. When checking the weather, wind gusts were at 5 MPH and you could barely see trees/leaf movement. I pulled off the side of the road, checked underneath the car to see if anything was dragging/missing and all was fine. As I started driving again, I then noticed my RPM's vs MPH was very strange. When accelerating, the car randomly increased up to 4,500 RPM when trying to go 45 MPH, then shifted down to 2,000 RPM's once I reached 45 MPH. But, no matter if I left my foot on the gas pedal, lifted my foot off of the gas pedal or hit the breaks, the car would not move off of 2,000 RPM's until I pressed my foot on the break all the way down to the floorboard. No lights came on at all. I took it to the dealership that I purchased it from, expressing the scary feeling of the driving the car and showing video proof of what the car was doing in RPM's vs MPH. After further conclusion, they determined that a "sensor" had gone bad. The thought that a plastic, electronic sensor going back caused my car to feel that way and put my life at risk while driving is a scary thought. Fast-forward to April of 2024, similar symptoms have come back again. Wind feeling like it's getting under my hood, causing the car to pull left and right, RPM's not matching up and now a hot engine with no warning light coming on, is questioning if it's this particular sensor again. Not to mention, I had it inspected by the dealership two weeks ago and had an oil change done to it and the dealership said "everything looks great". You should have zero thought or worry when operating your personal vehicle, but in the past three months, I have taken my car to the dealership and or a mechanic 7 times with thoughts/worries about my car. This car has now turned into a "lemon" as one would call it and I'm terrified to even start the car.

- York, SC, USA

problem #35

Mar 232024

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine is ticking and shaking at idle more than normal Rest unknown

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #34

Mar 112024

CX-5

  • miles
Had a constant Valve tick on cold starts and sometimes while running long periods. Oil level top offs and changes did not remedy the issue. Mechanic says it's a bad valve lash adjuster.

- Portage , IN, USA

problem #33

Jan 232024

CX-5

  • miles
I developed a cracked cylinder head in my 2019 Mazda CX-5 that only had 33,000 miles on it. I lost approximately 50% of my oil in a 4 mile drive. I believed I had been leaking oil, checked the dipstick, drove 4 miles (max speed of 35 mph), smelled the burning oil, pulled over, saw smoke coming from the hood and checked the dipstick again. Losing this much oil is a safety risk with the possibility of a fire especially if driving at a faster speed and inability to have a safe place to pull over along with smoke from the burning oil causing visibility issues which at higher speeds such as on an interstate can cause a safety concern. No indicator lights/messages appeared, this was determined from seeing what I thought was oil on the ground and then checking the dipstick. Mazda is well aware of the issue. When picking up the car for the dealership after being fixed, I asked what kind of parts were used to ensure this does it happen again. The shop employee said they were -??revamped-?? parts due to the known issue with this model and pointed out 4 other Mazda cx5s currently in the shop with the same issue getting repaired.

- Moosic , PA, USA

problem #32

Jan 182024

CX-5

  • miles
Had the sudden onset of strong exhaust fumes in the cabin as others have described - especially when idling at a light. Returned to dealer after having it up on a rack to find oil dripping everywhere (shield underneath prevents from seeing drops when parked) - got word today it is indeed the cylinder head assembly. How is oil running on hot exhaust not a fire concern? I had to roll my windows down for fresh air in zero degree weather the fumes were so strong inside the vehicle. On top of that the P0126 (thermostat stuck open) diagnostic code is back for the second year in a row after having the -??fix-?? installed under warranty last year.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

problem #31

Jan 082024

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My engine started smoking while I was driving fast got out of car oil leaking everywhere there was a crack in the cylinder head, another few minutes of driving and the car could have burst into flames seems like it-??s a common issue with Mazda cx5 a quick google search has shown me I-??m not the only one with this issue, worst thing about it is Mazda refused to fix it.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #30

Sep 012023

CX-5

  • miles
Oil coming through cylinder head above exhaust manifold due to being porous, car leaking oil and need to put more oil in every other day. Mazda known issue tsb# sa-031/21

- Morongo Valley, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 152023

CX-5

  • miles
The 2019 CX-5 has approximately 31086 miles. It was discovered that the cylinder head is cracked and causing the car to leak oil.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #28

Nov 252023

CX-5

  • miles
My engine suddenly started smelling like burning oil. I was due for an oil change and needed it immediately so I went to a quick oil change shop. They told me oil was sprayed all over the engine and I should take it to the dealer. It's been at Napleton Auto Park in Urbana, Illinois for a week and they finally diagnosed a cracked cylinder head. They said it could take up to 2 months to repair and they're checking to see if it's covered by my warranty.

- Urbana, IL, USA

problem #27

Nov 232023

CX-5

  • miles
My 2019 Mazda CX-5 cylinder head cracked at only 60,000 miles. I noticed my breaks were smoking and stopped driving. I then noticed oil leaking from my engine which had blown into my breaks, causing the smoke. There was no check engine indicator on my dashboard, nor did it indicate that my engine had overheated. There was no indication that there was any issues with the vehicle until i noticed the smoke coming from my brakes. I towed the vehicle to the Captial Mazda Dealership in San Jose, CA. Per Mazda Dealership Repair Estimate: "cylinder head cracked by cylinders 2 and 3". When i asked the dealership service center why this happened, their only response was it was a engine failure and that "over time the cylinder can become warped and crack" and while it that doesn't happen often "it can happen" I asked if there was anything I did that caused this, their only response was "i can check with the technician again". Apparently I did not purchase the "extended warranty" so while the repairs are no fault of my own, I have to pay the $6,000 repair cost.

- Union City , CA, USA

problem #26

Nov 122023

CX-5

  • miles
Cracked cylinder head which caused engine to leak oil and smoke

- Somerset, MA, USA

problem #25

Nov 032023

CX-5

  • miles
Smoke coming out from hood, upon looking at it we found oil leak, took to nearest service shop and found cracks in engine head. Brought car to the dealer ship for further inspection and repairs.

- Manor, TX, USA

problem #24

Oct 262023

CX-5

  • miles
Noticed the smell of burning oil in the cab on 30 mile drive. No warning lamps or other symptoms; vehicle continued to operate normally. After parking and inspecting the engine for the burning smell, noticed oil dripping from underneath engine bay and a pool of motor oil was forming on the ground underneath the vehicle. The next day, vehicle was brought to local Mazda dealer for inspection. They diagnosed the cause and stated the engine needs a cylinder head replacement. Oil leakage was so prolific, if this were to occur during a long distance drive, the engine would have lost all of the oil and stranded motorist - safety concern. Cylinder head failure is a known issue (Mazda TSB [XXX] ) with this engine. This known safety issue should trigger a recall. At minimum, the repair should covered by manufacturer for life of vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Chaska, MN, USA

problem #23

Sep 262023

CX-5

  • miles
Cracked cylinder head with oil leaking. There were no warning from my car prior to a diagnostic test. The car has a very strong rubber burning smell and white smoke comes out from the engine part before I took my car back to the Mazda Dealer. From a quick search, the cracked cylinder problem seems widespread with the 2018-2021's Mazda Cx-5. Took the car back to the dealer and dealer replaced the head cylinder and gaskets. There were no warning from the car.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #22

Jul 312023

CX-5

  • miles
2 weeks ago I noticed an oil leak 2019 cx5. Riley Mazda of Stamford check and found a cracked on the cylinder head. The cylinder head needs to be replaced cost around $5000. luckily we noticed the leak while car was park. Imagine if the car was on the road. Dangerous things could have happened. Mazda is aware of this situation years ago. A technician Service Bulletin was released by Mazda in 2019/2021 to all dealerships technicians repair guideline and why the cylinder cracks. On the Mazda bulletin it clearly explained a design defect resulting cylinder head cracks. Also Mazda failed to warn cx5 owners about the dangerous situation. On top of everything Mazda refuse to pay the Defect cracked cylinder head that cost around $5000. I email mazda Numerous times and decline any goodwill repair. Reason is out of warranty. Most Cylinder heads past 200,000 mile mark. Not unless your engine overheats but it not. Mazda should reimburse us owner who paid the repair cost

- Stamford , CT, USA

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