2021 Mazda CX-5
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 147 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 14 CX-5 model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 9 involved a crash. 7 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: engine
82 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Oct 26, 2022
At 16,550 miles (5675 miles since the last oil change), my oil pressure light came on. Per owner's manual, I turned the car off & let the oil drain into the pan for 5 minutes. I checked the oil but due to it being so hot it was hard to get an accurate reading. I turned the car back on & the oil light was off. I proceeded to drive into town and 25 miles later the light came on again. I checked the oil & it appeared to be very low. I added a quart of oil and the light went off. I checked the oil level later when the car was cool & the oil level on the dipstick was now halfway between the 2 dots on the dipstick. I drove about 300 miles home from our trip and the light never came back on. I took it to the dealership the next day & the technician said no codes showed that my oil level was low and they said my oil level was now 2 Qts too high. I only added 1 and they changed it last. Even though I was told there was a known issue involving a valve stem seal, they told me Mazda will not authorize the repair unless the engine code error is present (P205F?) & the low oil light is on. They were unable to explain why my low oil light came on. I was told that I need to change my oil every 5k miles even though the owner's manual says I can go up 7500 miles. They also told me that I should wait 10-15 minutes to let the oil drain after shutting the car off and not the 5 minutes that it states in my owner's manual. They told me if this issue happens again, to have my car towed to the nearest Mazda dealership. However, again the repair would only be done if both conditions were present. A bulletin had been produced on this issue but not provided to the owners of the vehicles. This is a safety risk since I was on a trip and would never imagine having this issue with a new car 1year old. Had I known this was an issue, I could have been more prepared. Potentially letting oil continue to seep into the combustion chamber of my engine is not ok.
Engine, Oct 21, 2022
Car is consuming oil since new and requiring additional oil to be added before oil changes. There was a TSB created by Mazda a year ago (TSB # 01-012/21) however there is no fix. I am concerned with the potential for damage to other engine systems aside from the reported issue with the valve stem seals resulting in undrivability and premature engine problems due to oil leaking past the valve stem seals.
Engine, Oct 19, 2022
Excessive oil consumption. Confirmed by the dealer.
Engine, Oct 13, 2022
My car appears to consuming oil excessively. I bought this car new in March of 2021 at I have had to top off my oil between oil changes at almost every single oil change since I have owned it. The car only has 33900 miles on it and usually about two months in from my oil change the check oil light comes on and the dipstick shows the oil at the lower end of the dipstick. I have purchased oil on my own and have had to have the dealer top it off. After topped off it will usually make it fine until my next oil change but a brand new car should not be burning oil like this and I was told they have known about a valve stem defect since September of 2021 but still have not done a recall or have a fix for it.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 11, 2022
I am having 2021 cx5 signature turbo 3400 mile and the engine light can me on upon checking the oil level was to low mark burnt out . I am concern that Mazda have not came up. With a recall yet.
Engine, Oct 7, 2022
At approximately 5,612 miles, the low oil pressure light came on. After changing the oil, it happened again at 7,760 miles. Both times the light came on, the oil level was low.
Engine, Oct 5, 2022
Car has 13000 miles and is consuming oil
Power train, Engine, Sep 18, 2022
Detected slight odor of burning oil while highway driving, mileage approximately 8,650. Three days later “low oil level” warning light lit up, mileage 8928. Allowed car to rest and checked oil level manually. Oil level was slightly above the minimum required. No signs of oil on garage floor.
Engine, Sep 11, 2022
Low oil light came on 4500 miles after oil change. Engine used nearly 2 quarts of oil quarl in that distance. Engine burning excessive amount of oil. No oil leaks. Burning oil internally. Reported to dealer.
Engine, Aug 31, 2022
Engine oil light indicated low oil level at 6000 miles. Dealer states there is a TSB on this issue but no repair process is available.
Engine, Aug 29, 2022
Engine oil consumption - around 2000 miles after oil change.
Engine, Aug 29, 2022
Car purchased new in 2021. Uses 1quart oil every 3,000 miles. Checked at dealer and assured of no leaks. Service bulletin issued by Mazda acknowledges problem probably due to faulty valve stem seals, but no resolution offerree for clients except “stop by for a quart of oil whenever light comes on!”
Engine, Aug 28, 2022
Motor using excessive amount of oil. Vehicle has just turned 20,000 miles. Uses a quart of oil ever 1500 miles or so.
Engine, Aug 26, 2022
Low oil light keeps coming on before it’s due. Went to dealer and they gave me a notice of a bulletin. 01-012/21. It states there is an issue where the engine leaks oil faster and could eventually cause engineer damage. They are asking us to come in more frequently for oil changes or to top off. Unknown what the fix is and it’s been on multiple new Mazda vehicle types.
Engine, Aug 21, 2022
Engine burns about 1 quart of oil ever 5000 miles since new.
Engine, Aug 18, 2022
Excessive oil consumption on brand new vehicle 1qt after 3800 miles
Engine, Aug 11, 2022
Excess oil consumption. Manufacturer recommended oil change interval is 7,500 miles. At 3500 miles a low oil warning light came on and I had to add oil. I changed my oil as recommended at 7500 miles. At 11,000 miles the warning light came on and I had to add oil once again. I am currently just shy of 15,000 miles and I'm getting my oil changed tomorrow. I've read that there is a known valve stem seal issue with these 2021 turbo engines that is causing this. I'm worried that there may be a catastrophic engine failure that could cause me to crash.
Engine, Aug 6, 2022
My check oil light has come on 3 times in between my first and 2nd oil changes. Added a total of 1 1/2 quarts between the 3 oil changes. Made the dealership aware of this last week at 2nd oil change. They’ve begun to monitor my mileage with my oil consumption and I’ll go in every 500 miles so they can document.
Engine, Aug 4, 2022
Oil burning and leaking as well after only 14,500 miles. I see there is a Class Action lawsuit filed against Mazda in late May of 2022 regarding faulty oil stem seals that cause oil to leak into the combustion chamber which will eventually cause O2 sensors to fail, catalytic convertors and engine valve failure. Dealer acted like they never knew about this issue and initially told me it was "normal" while the engine breaks in to burn oil. They attributed the "leak" to a faulty oil filter they put on during my recent oil change on July 8. Ridiculous that a brand-new car burns and leaks oil. Massive cover up by Mazda and a recall should be demanded. Apparently, they either do not want to spend 1000's of dollars in recalls or they do not have a fix. Either way, not owning up to this is a travesty and injustice!
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that after driving for 1,000 miles the vehicle needed an oil change. The oil level warning light would be illuminated. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to the dealer the contact was informed that the engine was a quart low on engine oil. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.
Engine, Aug 1, 2022
Excessive oil consumption. After 3,000 miles driving, need to add a quart of oil as ‘oil low’ light comes on. Vehicle is 1 year old, and this happened at 3,700 miles on the odometer. Has happened after every oil change at around 3,700-4,200 miles driven.
Engine, Jul 25, 2022
Excessive oil consumption NEW 2021 MAZDA CX-5 CARBON ADDITION TURBO - At approximately 7000 miles the low oil light came on, I added oil and got an oil change 2/11/22. At 11000 miles got low engine oil light had to add a full quart on 7/20/22. There are no oil leaks or obvious damage anywhere. I contacted the dealer who stated that they recommend oil changes at 5000 miles though the manual states 7500. If oil is being blown through a gasket or seal it will potentially foul the o2 and emissions sensor, the cylinders, etc. and ruin the engine or cause catastrophic failure.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 24, 2022
While beginning to turn into an interstate exit lane, all dashboard lights lit up, the engine died, and the car stopped. Power brakes & steering were inactivated. My husband was able to coast the car to the shoulder. My Mazda app said nothing wrong with car. Waited 3 hours for tow as we were out of state. The Mazda dealership found the high pressure fuel pump to have a malfunction. Two different technicians at the dealership related that Mazda was aware of the issue & had not yet issued a recalled.
Engine, Jul 11, 2022
July 6, 2021 Low oil light came on and I stopped to check oil and it was down 1quart. Then added oil. Miles on car 28,734. I always have oil changed every 5k miles and this was between oil changes. Happened 3200 miles into my next oil change. Mazda has a TSB out in reference to these engines and the TSB is TSB NO 01-012/21 Dated October 4, 2021. It states that Mazda is aware of the problem and as soon as they identify the root cause a complete repair will be made. I will be bringing vehicle into dealer for an oil comsumption test in the next 1500 miles when my oil change is due. The dealer does know there problems with these engines stated in the TSB. My safety and all others are good. On the Mazda Forum there are many complaints and I mean many complaints on this exact same issue I'm experiencing with this vehicle. People are extremely frustrated and getting excuses that this is just normal for these engines to use a quart of oil every 3 or 4 k miles. I don't agree and this is not normal.
Engine, Jul 8, 2022
On July 4th when car had only 10,300 miles driven on it, oil light came on. Oil level was down over 1.5 quarts. Car was not due for an oil change for another 1800 miles.