365 of the 826 complaints about the Mazda CX-5 (44.2%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
365Complaints · Engine
44.2%Share of complaints
1.99×vs. all vehicles
104Last 12 months
1.4%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (133, 50% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (6). 104 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 98 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “cylinder head”, “oil”, “cracked cylinder”, “leak” and “engine”. 5 of these reports (1.4%) describe a crash or fire, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 19V497000 (2019-06-27, model years 2018 and 2019).
My car caught on fire on [CCC] and it's completely burned down, a total loss. Following is information about my car and some summary of what happened.
Engine · 2026-05-24 · ODI 11739827 · Fire
While accelerating from a light that had just turned green, after passing through an intersection the vehicle seized up and came to a complete stop. There were no warning lights or any indication of a malfunction.
Engine · 2026-04-11 · ODI 11730510
2019 Mazda CX-5 developed P0192-00 fuel-pressure-related fault and significant loss of acceleration/limp mode. Mazda dealership diagnosed fuel rail/injector-seal issue and performed approximately $2,836 in repairs. The condition was not corrected.
Engine · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760472
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH and turning into a driveway, smoke emerged from the engine compartment. The vehicle was turned off and inspected.
Engine · 2026-08-26 · ODI 11759696
The vehicle exhibits a repeatable low-speed driveline-related problem consisting of pronounced clicking or clunking from the driver-front area, fore-and-aft jerking, and harsh engagement during deceleration and light on/off-throttle transitions, particularly…
Engine · 2026-08-23 · ODI 11758883
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was leaking engine oil, and there was white smoke coming from underneath the hood.
Engine · 2026-08-19 · ODI 11758021
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
ENGINE Campaign 19V497000 · 2019-06-27 · Model years: 2018, 2019
Summary: 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.
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.
Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Mazda CX-5?
365 of the 826 complaints about the Mazda CX-5 (44.2%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Mazda CX-5 model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2019 model (133, 50% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (6).
Is there a recall for Mazda CX-5 Engine problems?
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 19V497000 (2019-06-27, model years 2018 and 2019).