2018 Mazda CX-5

What owners report most often

1. Engine96
2. Power train18
3. Other or unspecified9
4. Engine and engine cooling3
5. Forward collision avoidance3
6. Electrical system2
7. Fuel/propulsion system2
8. Back over prevention1

Recalls and investigations

1. Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 12, 2021

   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.

   Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

   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.

   Campaign 21V875000 on NHTSA.gov

2. EngineJun 27, 2019

   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.

   An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

   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.

   Campaign 19V497000 on NHTSA.gov

3. Air bags, side/windowJun 25, 2018

   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) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

   If the air bags do not deploy properly in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

   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.

   Campaign 18V426000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: forward collision avoidance

3 reports, newest first. Show all

1. Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 9, 2026

   I am reporting a safety issue involving engine failure and fumes entering the vehicle cabin as well as unintended braking post major engine repair at 75,000 miles on my 2018 Mazda CX5. My vehicle developed engine problems consistent with a cylinder head/coolant defect and began allowing fumes/smoke to enter the cabin while driving. This created a health and safety concern for occupants. I reported this to the dealership and was told the vehicle was safe to drive despite the presence of fumes in the cabin. A major engine repair was later performed. A few days following the repair, additional warning lights and system malfunctions appeared, including brake system warnings, and the vehicle later braked unexpectedly while driving nearly causing me to be rear-ended. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, but the root cause of the fumes and subsequent safety issues has not been clearly explained. This situation created a safety risk due to exposure to fumes inside the cabin and unexpected vehicle behavior while driving. Smoke/fumes video and any additional documentation can be provided upon request. Attaching the costly invoice as well.

2. Other or unspecified, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 5, 2026

   The infotainment system consistently changes stations and volume on its own. Knob will not allow you to make adjustments . Contacted dealer and infotainment Is not covered under warranty , or extended warranty. Now the collision notification is not working. Warnings from system that it has failed and causes system to not Register any movement . This has been going on recently. Now have to drive it as it doesn’t have the system. And have to use my Apple play for radio as infotainment keeps failing to include radio and navigation Told by dealer that the infotainment system is not Mounted into the dash and sticks up , so the heat from sun and summer has fried th system. Has been ongoing for over a year just found site to report it . Will not buy another vehicle with infotainment system sticking up out of dashboard

3. Forward collision avoidance, Apr 20, 2024

   Multiple instances of phantom braking, which resulted in two instances where we were just inches from being rear-ended. The circumstances of the phantom braking are similar, and has occured many times. CIRCUMSTANCES OF PHANTOM BRAKING are as follows: vehicle in front in lane makes right hand turn from lane (with or without turn signal or braking). The vehicle in front typically has exited the lane, and the Mazda emergency brakes hard! Variable vehicle acceleration/deceleration dynamics factors: the Mazda could be coasting, decelerating with brake litely applied, accelerating in lane (because vehicle has fully exited lane), accelerating and exiting lane (go around turning vehicle). Variable turning vehicle rear lights (signals, brake lights) factors: the turning vehicles can be braking or not, turning with or without signaling- it does not matter. The Mazda will brake hard regardless. This may be an extension of the same: when traveling on an Interstate Highway, nominally at the posted speed. When a faster vehicle safely accelerates into the Mazda’s lane, the Mazda will brake hard. The Mazda does not recognize that the vehicle entering the Mazda lane is accelerating, nor does the Mazda seem to understand (anthropomorphism) the context (dynamics) of the situation (accelerating merging traffic). Hard braking in these circumstances has resulted in several near misses being rear-ended. The request for DATE below should be “NA”, because the phantom braking has happened many times.