373 of the 862 complaints about the Mazda CX-5 (43.3%) concern Engine, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.9× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
373Complaints · Engine
43.3%Share of complaints
1.94×vs. all vehicles
103Last 12 months
1.3%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
103 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 95 in the 12 months before — up 8%.
5 of these reports (1.3%) 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
Cracked cylinder head- factory defect, causing oil to leak onto exhaust manifold. Smoke fills engine bay and cab through air vents, very high concern of engine bay fire. 2018 Mazda cx5 non turbo 2.5 sky active engine.
Engine · 2026-10-08 · ODI 11769986
2025 Mazda CX-5. The vehicle experienced a severe, dynamic charging system failure that creates an active safety hazard on public roads.
Engine · 2026-10-02 · ODI 11768443
2018 Mazda CX-5 2.5L NA Engine Cracked cylinder head and blown head gasket with leaking oil onto exhaust manifold resulting in white smoke & burning oil smell. No engine light. Issue confirmed by dealer and independent shop.
Engine · 2026-09-24 · ODI 11766802
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where an OBDII scanner discovered a misfire in cylinder#1.
Engine · 2026-09-24 · ODI 11766753
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 revealDesign choices linked to oil consumption in recent engines, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models currently have the highest engine share in their complaints.
