2018 Mazda Cx-5 problems

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The Mazda CX-5 is a compact crossover SUV produced by Mazda since 2012. A successor to both the Tribute and the slightly larger CX-7, it is Mazda's first model to feature the "Kodo" design language and the first model to be fully developed with a range of technologies branded as Skyactiv, including a rigid, lightweight platform combined with a series of engines and transmissions to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

Since 2019, the CX-5 is positioned above the smaller CX-30. As of 2022, depending on the region, the CX-5 is positioned right below the larger CX-50, CX-60 or the CX-8 within Mazda's crossover SUV line-up.

The CX-5 has been the worldwide best-selling model offered by the brand every year since 2014, with record sales in 2019 when 444,262 units were sold globally. As of March 2022, cumulative sales of the CX-5 has reached around 3.5 million vehicles.

2018 Mazda Cx-5

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Common 2018 Mazda Cx-5 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5, several common problems have been reported:

  1. Engine Problems: Owners have reported issues such as excessive engine noise, engine stalling without warning, and acceleration hesitation. Some drivers experienced engine failure, where the engine did not shut off or revved when stopped, leading to potential safety concerns.
  2. Windows/Windshield Problems: Complaints include windshield cracking for no apparent reason, which could be linked to issues with the windshield bracket for the laser sensor. This problem could disable safety features like the Smart City Brake Support system.
  3. Brake Problems: Owners have reported premature brake wear, which can impact the vehicle's braking performance and safety. Dragging brakes and vibrations in cold temperatures have also been highlighted as common issues.
  4. Transmission Issues: Some drivers have complained about whining noises and clicking sounds while shifting, indicating problems with the transmission system. Faulty transmissions have led to costly repairs and replacements for affected owners.
  5. Electrical Problems: The CX-5 has faced complaints related to electrical systems, including faulty daytime LED running lights that required a recall. Issues with the infotainment system, such as ghost touch or screen malfunctions, have also been reported.

These problems can impact the overall performance, safety, and reliability of the 2018 Mazda CX-5. Owners have expressed concerns about the cost of repairs, safety implications, and the overall driving experience affected by these issues. It is essential for potential buyers to be aware of these common problems and consider them when evaluating the purchase of a used 2018 Mazda CX-5.

2018 Mazda Cx-5 engine

Are there any problems with the 2018 Mazda CX-5?

Common problems found on the 2018 Mazda CX-5 include some minor oil leaks, a cracked windshield, as well as premature brake wear. Overall, these problems are similar to some other compact SUVs on the market, with average repair costs to fix up the issues as it ages.

What is the most common problem with Mazda CX-5?

Quick Answer: Avoid Mazda CX-5 Year Models 2014 and 2016

These recorded more complaints compared to the 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years. The most common complaints cover electrical problems, engine problems, interior accessories, and issues with the lights.

How many miles will a 2018 Mazda CX-5 last?

between 200,000 and 250,000 miles

The Mazda CX-5 crossover is another popular model that is known for lasting a long time. With proper maintenance, the CX-5 can give you between 200,000 and 250,000 miles and a lifespan between 13 and 17 years. Mazda's flagship vehicle is the CX-9. This four-door SUV offers a stylish design and luxurious interior.

Do Mazda CX-5 have transmission problems?

Both Mazda CX-3 and Mazda CX-5 models have been noted for a string of transmission issues.

2018 Mazda Cx-5 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Mazda Cx-5.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2018 Mazda Cx-5 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2018 Mazda Cx-5.

2021-11-12
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
  • Summary: 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.
2019-06-27
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Components: ENGINE
  • Summary: 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.
2018-06-25
  • Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
  • Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
  • Summary: 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.

Negative 2018 Mazda Cx-5 car reviews

  1. Alexandre Kovacek 2024-09-04

    As a senior citizen, I purchased the Mazda CX-5 after my spouse passed away to ensure a worry-free driving experience. However, I have faced some challenges with the car's battery. Despite having it jump-started seven times in two years and replacing the battery twice, the issue persists. The car was even towed to the dealer, but they found nothing wrong. Despite these setbacks, I remain confident in my decision to choose the Mazda CX-5. While the current situation with the virus has limited my driving, I am optimistic that the car will perform well once I am able to use it again.

  2. Lonzo Thiel 2024-08-02

    As the title suggests, I own the 2.5L Turbo version Grand Touring Signature. Unfortunately, I have experienced some issues with the car's technology. The radar cruise has failed on a few occasions, causing me to have to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. The rain sensors in the windshield also seem to be unreliable, and the automatic high beams don't always work as they should. Additionally, I have had some trouble with the heat and the heated steering wheel, and the Android integration is not working properly. However, if you are looking for a car that will get you from A to B with decent mileage, this car is a good option. It may not have all the bells and whistles, but it gets the job done. I rented a RAV4 last weekend and found it to be a good alternative, even though it was less expensive. One year later, I had to replace the seat covers due to stitching issues, and the engine failed, but Mazda replaced the intake manifold. It seems that this is a known issue, and Mazda is taking steps to address it. Overall, while I have had some frustrations with the car, I still find it to be a reliable option for getting around.

  3. Andres Wintheiser 2024-04-29

    We have been experiencing intermittent AC and backup camera issues with our car since purchasing it in 2016. Despite visiting multiple dealerships, we have received the same response every time, whether the car is under warranty or not - they cannot find any problems or codes. Unfortunately, the dealership does not investigate further beyond checking codes or replicating the issue. It seems that Mazda's policy is such that if neither of these two conditions are met, then the customer must be lying about the problem. However, Mazda has never questioned the reliability of their diagnostic system to detect electrical problems.

  4. Alfonso O'Connell 2024-03-23

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with this car that I've leased for a little over 2 years. Unfortunately, I've had some issues with oil leaking from the gasket at around 9,000 miles and again at 40,000 miles. I was a bit disappointed when I found out that it wasn't covered by warranty, as I believe the gasket covers should last for at least 50,000 miles. I just wanted to give you a heads up in case you were considering this car. Additionally, I've noticed that Mazda charges for updates to the media system, which can also have some problems. Thanks for listening!

  5. Giles Boehm 2024-01-10

    My CX-5 is a decent car. While I haven't driven other SUVs to compare, I have decided not to buy this car when the lease is up. I leased it to test the safety technology, knowing that in three years, this tech will have advanced significantly. On the plus side, the headlights and visibility are great, and the blind spot monitor and pacing cruise control work well. However, the active braking is not very effective and the lane sensors can be an annoyance, especially on faded stripes. The infotainment system is disappointing, with the navigation lacking real-time traffic updates, making it useless for day-to-day driving. Stick to Waze or Google maps instead. The radio is also disappointing, with Sirius not displaying the full title of the song or album artwork. The engine is underpowered, and while Mazda has a sport mode button to help with acceleration, the shift points are too high. Even in sport mode, you're still in fourth gear at 65mph.

Positive 2018 Mazda Cx-5 car reviews

  1. Derick Schoen 2025-01-05

    The CX-5 is a stylish and performance-minded SUV that offers great support on longer rides and feels connected with the road. Purchasing this vehicle would be a great choice. However, there are some concerns that you should be aware of. Firstly, the key fob buttons are easily pressed, which can cause the rear liftgate to go up or the vehicle to unlock itself accidentally. Secondly, the built-in infotainment system feels outdated and can be difficult to use. Navigation does not take into account real-time traffic and it's hard to search for a place without entering all the details. Thirdly, the high-gloss plastic around the shifter, on the door armrests, and on the exterior of the vehicle is easily scratched. Fourthly, the center console armrest and the door armrests do not line up with each other, which can be awkward. Fifthly, the heater in my vehicle does not throw heat into the cabin until the engine is at standard temperature. Lastly, the adaptive cruise control is a little touchy and cannot predict when vehicles ahead are entering or leaving the lane. Therefore, it's not recommended to use it in dense traffic. #7 Hey there! Just wanted to let you know that depending on the combination of driver's seat height and steering wheel location, the frame of the steering wheel may partially block the speedometer, tachometer, and auxiliary readout screen. I've noticed that I can't read the tops of the readouts without adjusting my position. Hope this helps!

  2. Einar Parisian 2025-01-02

    I recently upgraded from a Nissan Juke to the fully-equipped Mazda CX-5 and I couldn't be happier! This car is perfect for our road trips, with its smooth ride, great gas mileage for an SUV, ample storage space, and the amazing Bose 10 speaker system that lets us jam out. It's truly a dream to drive, with all the bells and whistles, including heated seats in the front and back (which my daughter loves), lumbar support, adjustable driver and passenger seats, excellent cruise control, and all the latest safety features. And the best part? It's all at a reasonable price. Even my tall husband has plenty of leg and head room while driving this car.

  3. Lorenza Jones 2024-11-22

    I hope you're doing well! I was thinking about my car and I realized that I should have gone for the GT model. It has memory seats and a HUD, which would have been really nice. Unfortunately, I've been having some trouble with the shifting at low gears. It's been a bit lurchy, but I'm planning on taking it back to the dealership to see if they can reset the transmission. Hopefully that will fix the issue and I'll be able to enjoy my car to the fullest!

  4. Akeem Bednar 2024-11-12

    I love my CX-5! It's so easy to get in and out of, which is great for me since I have trouble with cars that sit low to the ground. The engine is impressively quiet, and even on a 1400 mile trip through rain and snow, the car never lost traction. The cruise control is also fantastic - it kept the car going smoothly without me having to touch the brake or gas pedal, even when we had to slow down or speed up. Overall, I'm really happy with my 2018 model.

  5. Bernie Kulas 2024-11-10

    The car has a very peppy engine and great gas mileage, averaging 28 mpg. However, there is a lack of cup holders in the rear, which can be inconvenient. The rear seatback slants too much for under-tall adults, making it uncomfortable to sit without a pillow. This may not be a great set up for child car seats. The car seems to hold the road well in rain and snow, although this has not yet been much of a challenge this winter. The glass can be a bit worrisome as there are some blind spots when pulling into traffic, so you have to angle at some intersections to make sure you have a good view of oncoming traffic. The headlights are adjustable so you can lower their height in traffic and raise it on a dark country road. The basic interior fabric is a serious lint collector, but the seats are pretty comfy for a basic bucket. The ride is smooth and the transmission shift is effortless, especially on acceleration. Lastly, the red color is simply awesome!

Leave your review of 2018 Mazda Cx-5

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2018 Mazda Cx-5 problems:

1st time Mazda owner 2018 CX5 Grand Touring 49k miles. Should I ...
1st time Mazda owner 2018 CX5 Grand Touring 49k miles. Should I ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/CX5/comments/16d9cg4/1st_time_mazda_owner_2018_cx5_grand_touring_49k/

Sep 8, 2023 ... Mazda's are quite reliable, I've owned two leases and never had anything fail. Consumer reports rates them well and you made a solid choice. The ...

2018 Mazda CX-5 Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
2018 Mazda CX-5 Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/mazda/cx-5/2018

Jan 11, 2023 ... Reliability 8/10 – There are no major problems on the 2018 Mazda CX-5. Shoppers should stay away from models from 2014 & 2016 since they have ...

Looking for CX-5 advice. Issues? Good/bad years? : r/CX5
Looking for CX-5 advice. Issues? Good/bad years? : r/CX5
https://www.reddit.com/r/CX5/comments/znxuip/looking_for_cx5_advice_issues_goodbad_years/

Dec 17, 2022 ... Also, many of the early turbo models (2020-2021) are having issues with oil consumption due to bad valve seals. IMO, this is the largest issue ...

Purchased a 2018 CX-5. Anything to look for while still have ...
Purchased a 2018 CX-5. Anything to look for while still have ...
https://mazdas247.com/forum/t/purchased-a-2018-cx-5-anything-to-look-for-while-still-have-warranty.123879140/

Apr 18, 2023 ... For 2018 CX-5, the major potential problem to me is the first-year cylinder deactivation on its 2.5L NA. The related issues are cracked cylinder ...

2018 Mazda CX-5 Reliability - Consumer Reports
2018 Mazda CX-5 Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/mazda/cx-5/2018/reliability/

What Owners Say ... "engine knock due to defective lifters/hydraulic lash adjusters. engine knock at 30,000 miles. manufacturer wouldn't fix at their expense ...

Other years of Mazda Cx-5

mazda cx-5 2019 photo
Cx-5 2019
Mazda

156

2

26

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-5 2020 photo
Cx-5 2020
Mazda

60

0

25

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-5 2021 photo
Cx-5 2021
Mazda

104

0

29

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-5 2022 photo
Cx-5 2022
Mazda

23

0

18

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-5 2023 photo
Cx-5 2023
Mazda

21

0

23

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda cx-5 2024 photo
Cx-5 2024
Mazda

10

0

25

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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2018 Mazda Cx-5 photo