The Lemon Index

All cars · Mazda CX-5 · 2018

2018 Mazda CX-5. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index55100 = average car
Complaints84NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold150,622U.S. model year
Per 100K sold56complaints
Year rank#6 of 10#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.2L 4-cyl turbo dieselAuto (S6)FWD28 / 31 / 29Diesel$3,250
2.2L 4-cyl turbo dieselAuto (S6)4WD27 / 30 / 28Diesel$3,350
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD25 / 31 / 28Regular$2,200
2.5L 4-cylAuto (S6)4WD24 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,000 and 40,000 miles. Median 14,700, from 83 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine20,9002,800–65,80026
Transmission & drivetrain2,2001,200–5,60010
Brakes2,700700–13,50016
Fuel system, gasoline37,00025,000–57,5009
Speed control9,6007,000–16,0007

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine29%
Brakes25%
Body structure14%
Transmission & drivetrain14%
Speed control10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
3511916016

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 21V875000 Nov 2021 Fuel System, Gasoline / Delivery / Fuel Pump

    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.

    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.

  • 19V497000 Jun 2019 Engine

    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.

    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.

  • 18V426000 Jun 2018 Air Bags / Side/Window

    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."

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 634

Mazda filed 634 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Some customers may complain about one or more warning lights ON when they start the vehicle…
  • Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0171 (Fuel Trim too Lean) and possibly DTCs
  • Check engine light on and/or failsafe with DTC P061B:00 stored in the PCM

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Later Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Later Release★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Early Release★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Early Release★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20157986111,450Body structure
2016273306112,235Lights
20173547127,563Brakes
20185584150,622Engine
20193962154,545Electrical
20203143146,420Electrical
202167109168,448Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data