YearToAvoid

2018 Mazda CX-5 Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 190 of 349 total complaints (54%) for the 2018 Mazda CX-5, the highest share among all model years listed. Median mileage at failure is 20,900 miles, and NHTSA lists no related recalls for this issue.

Engine complaints
190
54% of 349
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
20,900 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, with the brake pedal depressed, resulting in the vehicle jumping curbs or striking objects.
  • Some drivers describe the engine losing power unexpectedly while driving, in one case leading to a total loss of the vehicle.
  • Owners report the engine stalling or stopping mid-drive, sometimes restarting on its own, accompanied by an unusual smell traced by a dealer to a cylinder issue.
  • Early low-mileage owners describe loud noises and a burning smell from the engine after parking, with no warning indicator, that a dealer said would fade over time but persisted.
  • One complaint describes the check engine light activating shortly after purchase, requiring dealership repair that included replacing the oil pump strainer.

When 2018 Mazda CX-5 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 14, 2018, latest Sep 24, 2026.

2018 Mazda CX-5 engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter202018 Q22019 Q32020 Q42022 Q12023 Q22024 Q32025 Q4
190 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2018 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (20).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Mazda CX-5

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CX-5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20121 (100%)
  2. 201356 (29%)
  3. 201446 (12%)
  4. 201526 (20%)
  5. 201649 (10%)
  6. 201720 (14%)
  7. 2018190 (54%)
  8. 2019142 (53%)
  9. 202022 (21%)
  10. 202188 (60%)
  11. 202214 (22%)
  12. 202315 (24%)
  13. 202411 (25%)
  14. 20259 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine complaints on the 2018 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA lists 190 engine complaints for the 2018 CX-5, which is 54% of the 349 total complaints filed for that model year, the highest engine share of any CX-5 model year in the data.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Mazda CX-5 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no related recalls tied to the engine complaints reported for the 2018 CX-5.
At what mileage do 2018 CX-5 engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2018 CX-5 is 20,900 miles.
Did the 2018 CX-5 engine issues lead to crashes?
NHTSA data shows 8 crashes and 1 fire associated with complaints in the engine area for the 2018 CX-5, with no reported injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.