VehicleVerdict

2018 Mazda CX-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 469 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median CX-5 year — the 2018 model ranks #3 of 15 CX-5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 176 reports (38% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

469

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other CX-5 years?

CX-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted624 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 292 complaints2014: 492 complaints2015: 167 complaints2016: 624 complaints2017: 195 complaints2018: 469 complaints2019: 353 complaints2020: 152 complaints2021: 189 complaints2022: 83 complaints2023: 82 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 45 complaints2026: 16 complaints
CX-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Mazda CX-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine17638%
Other5812%
Transmission409%
Fuel System388%
Electrical System347%
Brakes337%
Driver Assistance286%
Speed Control133%
Body & Structure123%
Airbags92%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Lighting51%
Suspension41%
Seat Belts31%
Steering31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Latches & Locks20%
Seats10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V875000Fuel SystemNovember 12, 2021 · 121,038 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

19V497000EngineJune 27, 2019 · 262,220 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V426000AirbagsJune 25, 2018 · 682 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“My wife was pulling into a parking place today with her foot on the brake when the car suddenly accelerated, causing it to jump a curb and come to a stop over two large shrubs, which saved her from entering a busy highway and colliding with another car. This caused damage to the front end of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 28, 2022 · crash

“I WAS ENTERING THE PARKING GARAGE OF MY APARTMENT BUILDING. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AS I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS I WAS WAITING FOR THE GARAGE DOOR TO OPEN. THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BEFORE THE GARAGE DOOR WAS FULLY UP. MY CAR WENT STRAIGHT AHEAD AND HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 7, 2019 · crash

“While driving, my car has stopped two times. first time I crashed on the side of road causing all of my tires and rim busted and had to replace all of them. I had no idea what was going on. second time I was taking kids to school where can just stopped in the middle of road and restarted. Recently…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 31, 2021 · crash

“ON MAY 9, 2020, OUR MAZDA CX5 LOST THRUST, STALLED AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH ON A STRAIGHT 3 LANE ROAD. THIS OCCURRED DESPITE THE PCM PROGRAMMING WAS RE-CALIBRATED DUE TO A MANUFACTURER RECALL IN SEPTEMBER 2019 (NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V497000). THE CAR IS TOWED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 9, 2020

“Approximately 9:15am 5/16/21 I was driving on the road when my engine stalled and went out. Was stuck in the middle of the road for a couple of minutes while I tried to restart the car. My vehicle was recalled for this very purpose but 13 days prior I went into the dealership to fix the issue and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 16, 2021

2018 Mazda CX-5 — common questions

Is the 2018 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 469 complaints put the 2018 model at #3 of 15 CX-5 years. It is one of the CX-5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 CX-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (176 complaints), other (58 complaints), transmission (40 complaints).

Does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Mazda CX-5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda CX-5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-5 years to avoid are 2016, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2013. The cleanest record among CX-5 years belongs to 2012.

How safe is the 2018 Mazda CX-5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Mazda CX-5 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.