Complaint volume
252 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2019 Mazda CX-5 Complaints
252 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Mazda CX-5, grouped by component category.
252 Total complaints
7 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
4 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are engine, unknown or other, electrical system. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 7 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 4 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 42 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 25,480 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to engine, unknown or other, electrical system?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2019 Mazda CX-5?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2019 Mazda CX-5
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Mazda CX-5 complaints?
7 Crash
2 Fire
4 Injury
0 Fatality
7 Towed
3 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Mazda CX-5 complaint categories?
ENGINE 87
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE 14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10
VISIBILITY/WIPER 7
POWER TRAIN 6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5
AIR BAGS 4
252 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The vehicle is experiencing a “ghost touch” malfunction within the infotainment system, wherein the touchscreen registers unintended inputs. As a result, the system intermittently initiates phone calls, changes radio stations, and alters other settings without driver interaction. This erratic behavior is highly distracting and presents a potential safety concern while the vehicle is in operation. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ENGINE | 1. What component failed, and is it available for inspection? Component: The Engine Cylinder Head. The Failure: The cylinder head failed due to a structural crack caused by overtightened bolts (manufacturing defect), resulting in an engine oil leak. Confirmation: The defect is confirmed and resolved. Wayne Mazda (NJ) acknowledged the failure and replaced the cylinder head under the CPO Warranty last month. The issue has not returned since the replacement, proving this was indeed a hardware defect. 2. How was your safety put at risk? Fire Hazard: Before the repair, for a duration of one year, the vehicle leaked engine oil onto the hot exhaust manifold, creating a persistent fire risk. Toxic Exposure: My family and I were forced to inhale burning oil fumes inside the cabin for months due to the dealer's delayed diagnosis. This posed a significant health hazard. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? Yes. The defect was initially identified by independent service centers (when the dealer failed to find it) and was ultimately verified and repaired by Wayne Mazda. The fact that the dealer performed the repair under warranty is an admission of the manufacturing defect. 4. Financial Damages & Request for Reimbursement: Since Mazda has admitted liability by fixing the vehicle, I request reimbursement for the losses incurred due to the delay in diagnosis: $2,000+ in Independent Repairs: Because Wayne Mazda initially failed to diagnose this warrantable defect, I was forced to pay independent shops to diagnose and attempt to fix the oil leak to keep the vehicle safe. These costs were a direct result of the dealer's inability to identify the manufacturing defect. $159.29 in Uber Fees: Mazda failed to provide a loaner vehicle during the major powertrain repair, forcing me to pay for my own transportation. Conclusion: I am filing this report to: Document this safety defect (Overtightened Cylinder Head Bolt / Oil Leak) for NHTSA records, as it poses a fire | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Drove 39 miles, around ~55 minutes. Parked the car, realized that I parked a little too far from the spot, car just stalled while rolling. Pressed accelerator, nothing. Turned off the car, tried to start again, it cranked but didn't start. Had to tow it to the nearest mechanic (total of ~2 hrs until my car got picked up and dropped off), mechanic calls me and tells me my car started fine. I'm thinking it could be 5321K recall but not sure as my VIN is not in the recall nor did I get any recall notice. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - No idea. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Got stranded for hours in the parking lot. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - No Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - Yes, fuel cap like icon and check engine light were on when trying to start the car after it stalled. The car would crank but not start. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | On 12/10/25, my 2019 CX5 NA had major oil leak after smelling a burning smell for a few days. Took it into local mechanic and he couldn’t find the leak, did an engine wash and additional testing before identifying a crack in the cylinder head; the leak was coming from the exhaust manifold. There was oil all over the engine and the underbelly of the vehicle; according to the mechanic, I was lucky the car didn’t start on fire with the amount of oil. I was informed that this is a common problem with the turbos and the NAs but the extended warranty only included the turbo engines. Contacted Mazda customer experience and set up an appointment. Vehicle went to the Mazda dealership on 12/15 and it was confirmed that there was a crack in the cylinder head and received an estimate of $11,000 needed for repairs. $7000 of that was for a new cylinder head. This was after an independent mechanic inspected my vehicle and stated everything looked good besides the main issue and needing new rear breaks in the next few months. 12/15-contacted Mazda customer experience and and case file was opened. 12/16-contacted customer experience back due to not receiving a call and received the name and extension of the assigned case manager. 12/17- still had not received a call back and left voicemail for case manager. Requested a call back to myself and the dealership; received a call back a few hours later and I was never asked what happened but was informed that Mazda corporate could not help me due to the warranty being expired. I am now required to pay over $250 to the dealership for an inspection of the vehicle I never requested. There were initially no warning signs but then the low oil light came on after 3 days of smelling something burning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The 2019 CX-5 AWD with the 2.5L NA engine (with Cylinder Deactivation) has an engine oil leak coming from the cylinder head area. The Mazda dealer confirmed the leak source and found burnt oil on the exhaust. The component is available for inspection. The leak location and symptoms are consistent with the known porous/cracked cylinder-head defect documented in this engine family. Full confirmation requires teardown. In early Dec 2025, a burning oil smell began, then thick white smoke came from under the hood while driving and after stopping. This created an immediate fire risk, and rapid oil loss could cause sudden engine failure or stall in traffic. The issue was inspected and confirmed by an independent mechanic, who noted the leak could only be traced after removing the exhaust manifold. The Mazda dealership then inspected it and confirmed the leak source at the cylinder-head area and the burnt oil residue. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by both the independent mechanic and the Mazda dealer. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the smoke. Mazda has an extended warranty program for the same cylinder-head defect on the Turbo engine, but no equivalent coverage exists for the NA engine, despite the identical safety risks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ENGINE | While driving a short distance, my engine overheated and there was a strong burning smell. The cylinder head was cracked, causing a significant oil leak. The car is currently at the dealership but is available for inspection upon request. The defective cylinder head is leaking engine oil directly onto hot exhaust components. This creates an immediate risk of engine fire and causes smoke to enter the vehicle cabin, impairing visibility and driver health. The vehicle was diagnosed by an authorized Mazda dealership. They confirmed the cylinder head is cracked and requires replacement. My mechanic advised this type of leak could lead to engine overheating, sudden power loss, or potential fire risk and should not be driven. Mazda has issued prior Technical Service Bulletins and warranty extensions for similar cylinder head/manifold cracking issues on the 2.5L turbo engine, but no program exists for the non-turbo engine, despite identical problems. Mazda should be held responsible for this safety issue. Mazda is aware of this manufacturing defect but has not recalled these engines to be repaired or replaced if they are outside of their warranty period, placing costly repairs and potentially life-threatening situations on their customers. The repair is replacement of the cylinder head/sleeve or replacement of the engine block, which has since been modified by Mazda to resolve this issue. Mazda’s refusal to extend reimbursement to non-turbo owners is unfair and leaves affected customers with no support for a known manufacturing flaw. I urge NHTSA to investigate this recurring engine defect in non-turbo 2019–2020 Mazda CX-5 models and encourage Mazda to offer equal reimbursement. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Summary of Issue: The infotainment system in my 2019 Mazda CX-5 has been malfunctioning for a long period of time, and the issue has now escalated to the point where the system is unsafe and distracting while driving. Details: The infotainment screen intermittently “ghosts” and activates functions on its own—clicking through menus, changing settings, and moving erratically without any driver input. The system has also frozen and rebooted while the vehicle is in motion. This creates a serious distraction and safety concern. I previously reported this issue to the dealership, where they attempted a reset and told me to come back if the problem returned. The issue persisted and worsened. I recently returned, and the dealership diagnosed a communication failure between the CMU and the infotainment screen. However, they cannot identify any cause, and the screen itself has no physical damage and has never been struck. Mazda has declined to cover this under warranty, even though this appears to be an internal failure of components that should not fail at this mileage. Additionally, infotainment failures in Mazda vehicles have been the subject of prior complaints and service bulletins. Safety Concern: The malfunction causes the screen to operate unpredictably while driving, which distracts from the road and creates a risk of an accident. Because the system controls access to vehicle settings, Bluetooth, audio, navigation, and backup camera interfaces, the failure presents a potential safety defect. Requested Action: I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this infotainment / CMU communication failure is a broader defect affecting 2019 Mazda CX-5 vehicles, as dealerships cannot identify the cause and the failure poses a clear distraction hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2025 | ENGINE | Question 1 - What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer 1 - The Engine Cylinder Head. The cylinder head developed a crack, causing a significant oil leak. The car is currently at the dealership but is available for inspection upon request. Question 2 - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer 2 - The defective cylinder head is leaking engine oil directly onto hot exhaust components. This creates an immediate risk of engine fire and causes smoke to enter the vehicle cabin, impairing visibility and driver health. Additionally, the loss of engine fluids creates a risk of sudden engine failure or stalling at highway speeds. Question 3 - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center Answer 3 - Yes. The vehicle was diagnosed by an authorized Mazda dealership. They confirmed the cylinder head is cracked and requires replacement. The dealership acknowledged the failure and offered a partial repair discount, confirming their diagnosis of the defect. Question 4 - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Answer 4 - Yes. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Mazda dealership technician acting as a representative for the manufacturer. I have also escalated the issue to Mazda Corporate (case number can be provided upon request), who reviewed the dealership's findings but refused to cover the full repair cost. Question 5 - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Answer 5 - I noticed an oil leak on my driveway. I noticed it and brought it in to be looked at the first week of November 2025. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | What component or system failed: The cylinder head failed due to cracking around the exhaust manifold, resulting in exhaust and coolant leakage. My independent mechanic and the Mazda dealer both confirmed this was the source of the burning smell and engine risk. The failed parts are currently in the possession of the Mazda dealership and available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The failure created a strong burning rubber smell inside and outside the vehicle while driving. My mechanic advised this type of leak could lead to engine overheating, sudden power loss, or potential fire risk if not caught early. I frequently transport children in the vehicle, and the unexpected engine damage posed a significant safety concern. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed: Yes. The issue was first diagnosed by an independent, certified mechanic and then confirmed by the Mazda dealership, who determined the cylinder head had to be replaced due to premature cracking and leakage. Has the vehicle/component been inspected: Yes. The vehicle has been fully inspected by an independent mechanic and the Mazda dealership service department. The dealership stated the failed cylinder head will be sent to Mazda for engineering review. Were there any warning lamps or symptoms before failure: There were no warning lights or error messages prior to the failure - which is alarming. The only initial symptom was a strong burning rubber smell that began shortly before the diagnosis. No overheating warnings appeared on the dash before the problem was confirmed. Additional context: The vehicle has 40,000 miles, has been fully maintained according to schedule, and is garage-kept. The Mazda service department acknowledged this failure is unusual and premature. Mazda has issued prior Technical Service Bulletins and warranty extensions for similar cylinder head/manifold cracking issues on the 2.5L turbo engine, but no program exists for the non-turbo engine, despite identical symptoms. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2025 | ENGINE | The Cyclinder Head cracked. This could cause the engine to fail, and leaving the driver on the highway or other unsafe locations of travel. The certified repair shop along with the insurance adjuster advised it was a manufacturing defect. The warning sign was an oil burning smell inside the vehicle while stationary and inside the garage. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | POWER TRAIN | Timing chain gasket leak, causing oil to go everywhere and smoking could cause a fire | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ENGINE | Confirmed cracked cylinder by dealership, led to dumping of oil while vehicle was in motion on the highway. Vehicle/engine could have caught fire at any moment. There were no engine warnings that appeared on the dash. This is consistent with other CX-5 complaints on NHTSA. Vehicle had 55,000 miles on it at time of incident, and needed $8,000 worth of repair. Please recall!! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2025 | ENGINE | In August 2025, we brought our Mazda CX-5 (non-turbo engine) to a Mazda service center and paid nearly $3,000 for repairs, including replacement of belts and other related service. Despite this, we continued to experience a burning smell from the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the problem escalated — the burning smell persisted and smoke began to appear. Mazda is now demanding an additional $4,500 to replace a cracked cylinder head. This defect must have been present when the car was serviced in August, and the initial repairs failed to identify or correct it. While there is an NHTSA Technical Service Bulletin for the turbo version of this engine, there are numerous complaints online about the same defect in the non-turbo model, which is what we own. This indicates that the problem is not isolated. Mazda should be held responsible for this safety issue. A cracked cylinder head that leads to burning smells and smoke is a serious hazard that could cause engine failure or even fire. Consumers should not be forced to spend thousands of dollars on repairs for what appears to be a widespread defect and when our vehicle has only $50k miles and it should last for the life of the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ENGINE | Cracked/Leaking Cylinder Head on my 2019 Mazda CX5. It is understood that Mazda has extended warranty for the Turbo Model (CSP11) of this car, but not the standard engine, even though they both are displaying the same issue in many 2019 CX5s. Quoted at $6000 for a vehicle under 90K Miles. Issue needs to be escalated. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH with a toddler occupying the rear seat, the contact noticed smoke and an abnormal burning rubber odor coming through the vents. The contact pulled into a gas station and then pulled into a nail salon parking lot. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence, where an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and found an oil leak, and the mechanic diagnosed that the cylinder head had cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under an unknown Extended Warranty because of the type of engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under Goodwill assistance because the oil changes had not been mainly performed by the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 83,000 |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE | Cracked Cylinder Head. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE | Dealership service department found a cracked cylinder head. This issue has been reported to NHTSA by Mazda. The car is being serviced and this issue was found. I’m attaching photos and also report from dealership l. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ENGINE | Timing cover oil leak. This is the same issue reported in technical bulletin #01-006/23 issued on 04/26/2023. There is oil leaking and the engine is smoking. No engine warning lights or other messages appeared. My car is a 2019 mazda CX-5 and has 31,954 miles. This problem has been confirmed by both an independent mechanic and the dealer service center. On 08/22/2025, I took my vehicle to dealer service for the repair. I also submitted a ticket to Mazda care for review of the case. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My vehicle was damaged by an as yet determined electrical fire seemingly having originated in the passenger door speaker components. | Crash: No Fire: Yes | Unknown |
| Aug 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | While operating the vehicle it will randomly start changing infotainment system settings. The radio station settings change, navigation maps will pop up and unprompted phone calls will be initiated. Each action is followed by a “beep.” Very distracting and requires actions that take focus away from operating the vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When accelerating, the transmission feels jerky/stutters. The check engine light and traction control light are illuminated and on the instrument cluster the messages: "Forward Smart City Brake Support Malfunction", "Smart Brake System Malfunction" and "Front Radar Sensor System Malfunction" appear. The vehicle acts like it doesn't know which gear it should be in, it'll buck pretty hard and then it refuses to accelerate...it feels like it's in a "limp mode". A previous driver of the vehicle complained and said that it actually stalled in traffic on the highway and was of course difficult to steer due to loss of power. I took it to a dealership and they came up with a laundry list of things to fix...most of which wouldn't have any bearing on this issue. I did have the serpentine belt replaced and the belt tensioner replaced due to wear on the belt and loose tension. On 7/16/25, I scanned the vehicle with a code reader, the codes P0301 and P0506 appeared. P0301 is a generic "Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected" message and P0506 is a generic "IAC system RPM Lower Than Expected. The vehicle was taken to a shop where the spark plugs and the cylinder 1 coil was replaces and the IAC cleaned. On 7/24/25 the same vehicle behaviors were observed and the same warning lights and messages were activated. I scanned the vehicle and got "p0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected and P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire detected. There was a recall on this particular vehicle make, model and year and my vehicle was out of the VIN# range. I firmly believe that the recall needs to be expanded to include a larger number of vehicles...you can google about this vehicle and see many others with similar issues. Usually, the cure is a PCM reflashing/software update that seems to take care of the issue. Please expand the recall before someone dies in an accident because of this problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | For the 3rd or 4th time since I have own this car I experienced a loss of acceleration when attempting to make quick acceleration while attempting to merge with traffic. Acceleration is fine around town where quick acceleration is not appropriate. But the first attempt to merge with flowing traffic the car will slowly accelerates to about 30 mph and no more regardless as to position of accelerator pedal. On all occasion this bad behavior has this first drive of the day - going to work in the a.m. There is often a warning message indicating the safety radar is not working due to limited visibility which is a very common warning in the a.m. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | There is a current lawsuit/settlement stating that there are known issues with the Mazda Connect Infotainment system having technical glitches. I own a 2019 Mazda CX5 and have been having issues with the Mazda Connect pressing random buttons, drastically increasing the volume, the carplay disconnecting while I'm following GPS directions, among other technical issues while I am driving. These are extremely dangerous issues while operating a vehicle and many Mazda owners are experiencing the same issues. With the limited extended warranty, I brought my vehicle into a Mazda service center to get the issue resolved. Although there are issues with the Mazda Connect Infotainment system, they claimed that the issue is not covered under the warranty and I need to purchase a new screen repair kit which would cost $608+tax. I believe they are trying to get out of repairing the issue and the repair kit they are recommending should be covered as well. A recall should be made to cover these issues. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2025 | ENGINE | I am the owner of a 2019 Mazda CX-5 (non-turbo) which experienced a cylinder head leak requiring full replacement. The repair was done by Riley Mazda of Stamford on July 28, 2023, at a personal cost of $4,074.34. Mazda has acknowledged this defect in turbocharged CX-5 models from the same year and issued a reimbursement program. However, Mazda has declined reimbursement for non-turbo models, even though the failure is the same, and the repair used identical part numbers and labor hours as listed in Mazda’s own TSB for the turbo reimbursement. This indicates a broader issue affecting both engine variants. Mazda’s refusal to extend reimbursement to non-turbo owners is unfair and leaves affected customers with no support for a known manufacturing flaw. I urge NHTSA to investigate this recurring engine defect in non-turbo 2019–2020 Mazda CX-5 models and encourage Mazda to offer equal reimbursement. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My infotainment system regularly ghost jumps between screens and adjusts the volume of music (both on CarPlay and regular radio) by itself. The car turns off CarPlay regularly, including the navigation, which is dangerous when you are not sure where you are going. The sound is the worst part of it, as it will change the volume to unhealthy levels without warning. Even turning it off does not stop the jumping, as it turns itself back on. While Mazada did provide an extended warranty for this exact problem, they will not cover the display which they allege is the problem in my car and told me it is a $600 replacement fee that I am fully responsible for, even though their screen does not work. This issue is all over the internet with Mazda refusing to fix it but it's an issue that can cause serious safety issues (with navigation failing and especially with unexpected volume changes). There is no rhyme or reason to when it happens and when it doesn't. It will be fine for a few days and then not work at all for a day. This has been ongoing for about a year. My car has about 55,000 miles on it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |