YearToAvoid

2019 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

85/100

#3 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2019 Mazda CX-5 has 270 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 85 out of 100 — #3 highest of 14 CX-5 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is engine (142 complaints, 53% of the total). Complaints report 7 crashes, 2 fires, and 5 injuries.

Complaints
270
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
7 / 2
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
24.5 city / 30 hwy

Top 2019 Mazda CX-5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine142 (53%)
  2. Other51 (19%)
  3. Electrical System49 (18%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain32 (12%)
  5. Fuel System21 (8%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras17 (6%)
  7. Structure & Body10 (4%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers10 (4%)
  9. Airbags7 (3%)
  10. Brakes7 (3%)
2019 Mazda CX-5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter302019 Q32020 Q32021 Q32022 Q32023 Q32024 Q32025 Q32026 Q3
354 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q1 (30).

2019 Mazda CX-5 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V875000Nov 12, 2021Fuel System121,038 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

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

    Remedy: 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.

  2. NHTSA 19V497000Jun 27, 2019Transmission & Powertrain262,220 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    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.

    Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

    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.

2019 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24.5 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other CX-5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Best15148126.5
2018Avoid92349328
2019Avoid85270227
2020Caution62106026
2021Caution69146025.5

All Mazda CX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 ranks #3 of 14 among CX-5 model years (Complaint Index 85/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 270 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Mazda CX-5?
The most reported problem areas are engine (142 complaints), electrical system (49 complaints), and transmission & powertrain (32 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 17,000 miles.
Does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2019 Mazda CX-5, most recently reported 2021, covering fuel system and transmission & powertrain.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Mazda CX-5?
EPA rates the 2019 Mazda CX-5 at 27 MPG combined (24.5 city / 30 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.