Mazda CX-5 Complaints (2018)

353 consumer complaints on file.

#11524649May 31, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I drive a 2018 Mazda CX5. My "infotainment system" which contains radio, phone, and GPS controls began making random unprompted selections while I would not touch it. This is an ongoing issue. The name for this issue is called "ghost touch" While the Mazda system "locks" the touch screen while the car is moving, the issue continues as soon as you come to a red traffic light. Without putting the car in park, the touch screen reactivates and the issue proceeds. This is a safety issue as it can cause distractions while driving such as sudden significant changes in music volume and it can call a random person if your phone is connected to Bluetooth. Regardless of if the car is moving or not, this causes a driver to take their focus away from the road. From a quick google search, this is a common issue. Mazda is aware of this common issue, and in fact extended a warranty to correct it in 2014-2016 Mazda 3's. However, I called Mazda USA today and they stated that it would have to be paid out of pocket for my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524541May 30, 2023
ENGINE
Driving down the freeway smoke started coming out of the hood of the car and into the cabin, no warnings or warning lights of any kind, got the car to the Mazda dealer to be inspected. The dealer told me it was 5 months out of warranty and would not be covered its a cracked cylinder head and oil had dripped/leaked onto the manifold causing the smoke. No smoke was coming from the exhaust so the crack only leaked oil to the outside of the cylinder head. There is no oil in my driveway so it happened that day on the road. This is a manufacturing error that Mazda won't take responsibility for.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520543May 5, 2023
AIR BAGS
Entire drivers side air bags deployed, with only the driver in the vehicle, after striking a curb, (after striking a coyote, then swerving). Front central air bag did not deploy-only the side, and then for the entire side of a four door SUV, Mazda CX-5. Air bag slammed into neck and chest of driver nearly striking jugular with sharp impact. There does not appear to be any reason for side air bag to deploy, without front center deploying.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11520530May 4, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES
Parking brake system malfunction. Flashing brake light and the parking exclamation point light on. When I try to release the emergency parking brake it continues to light up on the dashboard as well as yellow flashing light on the physical brake similar problem with 2016 model. Seen multiple people with similar problem but no solution Restarting the car multiple times makes the light go away eventually
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519930May 1, 2023
ENGINE
When driving I started to smell a burning oil or rubber smell inside the cabin of the car. When I stopped I could see smoke coming from under the hood. When I was able to park, I opened the hood and could see smoke coming from the engine. There were no warning lights displaying on the dash, no leaking fluid from under the car. I did not feel safe continuing to drive the car without having it seen, so I took it to the closest Mazda dealer service. After inspecting the issue I was told there is a cracked cylinder head that is leaking fluid into the engine and the exhaust and I would need a brand new engine. The service manager said this is a known issue with the 2018-2021 Mazda CX-5. Unfortunately, the warranty that would cover this expired in April 2023 (at the time of writing this, it's May 1, 2023). It should be noted that my CX-5 is only 5 years old with ~37,000 miles on it. I was told by the Mazda service manager that the car is not safe to be driven in this condition and would have to stay in their possession on their lot until I decide if I want to have it fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518839April 25, 2023
ENGINE
Crack in cylinder head at 25k caused oil to leak and engine to smoke while driving. No warning lights came on. Dealership replaced the part but how do I know it won't happen again? Mazda knows about this but has not issued a recall or extended the powertrain warranty to cover this known manufacturing defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518232April 21, 2023
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LOCK
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that after she drove her four-year-old grandson to school, she parked and turned off the vehicle; however, she left the key on the inside of the vehicle and exited the vehicle to remove her grandson from the rear seat however, the doors inadvertently locked while her grandson was inside. The contact stated that she was unable to unlock the doors as the vehicle was designed to remain unlocked while the key was inside of the vehicle. The Police Department was notified of the issue; however, while the Police Officers were approaching, her grandson was able to remove himself from the safety seat and unlock the door manually. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to schedule an appointment. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518281April 21, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Computer malfunction has been inspected by dealship
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517512April 17, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sunroof suddenly exploded on the highway for no reason
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514516March 29, 2023
ENGINE
Oil drained to warning level from full during a vacation. The oil leaked out around head gasket level onto every part of the engine below it and the movement of air caused oil droplets to fall on the exhaust and smoke and also coated entire underneath and most of rear hatch with oil droplets.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11514337March 28, 2023
ENGINE
2018 Mazda CX-5. While driving a burning smell was detected (oil). Oil leakage noticed when car parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a cracked cylinder head. There is a service bulletin stating defect in engine head. Mazda will not cover costs, as its outside 60,000 mile warranty. Quote given of $4085 to fix issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 85000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512300March 17, 2023
ENGINE
After driving when I got off my car, I could smell something burned. I took my car a dealer shop, and they found the Crack in a cylinder head. The cylinder head has been fixed, but I can still smell something is burning.. I am not sure it is totally fixed or not.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509698March 1, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2023 02 28, 36410 miles - Engine oil burning smell entering the cabin of the car, oil leaking from engine. No warning lights. Diagnosed by Mazda dealer as a cracked cylinder head, will be repaired under warranty. Discovered Service Alert #SA-013/22 that applies to this defect. 2023 02 23, 36,389 miles - Car in for an oil change under extended service program at Mazda dealer. Dealer discovered the timing chain cover leaking, repaired under warranty. Owner also reported that information screen has been malfunctioning intermittantly. Dealer remarked that the screen does have problems, but that it is not covered by the warranty, and would need to be replaced within the next two years and would cost about $2000. Upon vehicle pick-up, several warning lights went on, dealer reprogrammed the code system, test drove, pronounced the lights indicated nothing was wrong. 2022 08 17, 31,174 miles - Fuel pump replaced under recall while car in for regular oil change covered by service contract. 2021 02 04, 17,629 miles - Timing chain cover leaking, discovered by dealer while in for regular oil change, repaired under warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11509157February 26, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
When I drive 100 to 150 fest the front camera blocked warning light come on. The only way to reset is to stop turn of car and restart, only to have it happen again and again. The main thing is when and if I can get into cruise control and I am on a major highway and have the cruise set unannounced the warning comes on and turns off the cruise control. If there is someone close they run up on me. I have had it back to the dealer and have called Mazda, all they said was maybe the sun was setting it off, I guess I can only drive at night. The dealer had the car for over 2 weeks and did not fix it. I have recently discovered that if I keep the cruise control on it will not do it, it is very frustrating and now it is off warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11504873February 1, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
When driving at night or in diminished lighting, the headlights will turn on but the taillights do not. The taillights will only activate if the headlight switch is moved to the on position. When the headlights activate, it gives the driver the appearance of everything is operating as designed when in fact there are no taillights illuminated.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503964January 27, 2023
ENGINE
Mechanic stated engine cylinder head oil hole leak. Seems to be manufacturer defects
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11503560January 25, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We were driving down the highway in light to medium traffic. Weather was about 40 degrees, no rain. The moonroof suddenly exploded. It does not appear to have been hit by anything. Luckily the shade was drawn so glass didnt go inside the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11500221January 4, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The informational screen will just start going "haywire"--someone described it as a "ghost touch!" It will change screens without warning, going through my saved contacts and calling or deleting them. Changing channels etc..---it is more than a nuisance, it can be a hazard!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499627December 31, 2022
ENGINE
Cracked cylinder head, significant oil leaking, no engine lights. No past collisions in vehicles or indicator engine was running hot. Dealership reported they see no history of fault codes on vehicle computer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499444December 29, 2022
ENGINE
On 12/23 I was driving on the highway approaching exit 43 A-B on I-95 N and the engine oil light came on, I started monitoring the temperature of the car and it was holding steady, neither was it dropping nor was it overheating. I continued driving for a minute more, I am half mile away from home at this point and I smelled burning oil. I pulled the car over and opened up the hood, I turned on the flashlight on my phone and I could see oil on the engine floor. I called up Mazda dealership near me and they were closed for the holidays so I left voicemails. After a couple of days of no answers, I was able to get through to someone and they said they'll take the car in however they can't guarantee if they will be able to even look at it until after the holiday, I speak to the service manager and mention that I have an upcoming trip out of state for Christmas, they said they did not have any loaner cars available either. I got my car towed to the dealership anyways. Next day I get a phonecall from them stating that the oil pump and pressure was fine and they suspect it was the engine head that was causing the leak and that it would cost me 6000$ to fix it. Along with that I need to get my belt tensioner fixed which would be around 680$. The car's estimated value is about 12000$ and I am being asked to pay more than half its value after owning it for 4 years to fix something that was caused by wear and tear. I also did a little digging and I've found that my car falls under ones that have been identified by Mazda to probably have a defective engine head. I am attaching the reports that I have discovered in my research with this submission. I am imploring for assistance in this matter as I cannot afford this expense and I would not like to part ways with something that has been reliable for the last 4+ years. Dealership- Wellesley Mazda
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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