Verdict
2018 Mazda CX-5: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Mazda CX-5 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.
Owners filed 113 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 58% of 2018 SUVs. Engine leads the reports (73%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
113
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
28
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 58% of 2018 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Engine issues lead owner complaints (73% of 113 reports), followed by power train (15%).
Share of all 113 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11747961, ODI 11744861, ODI 11738764, ODI 11734839, ODI 11734878.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Fuel SystemDec 2021 · 21V875000Details +Close −
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.
Air Bags · 18V426000Details +Close −
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.
Engine · 19V497000Details +Close −
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Early Release NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Early Release NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD Later Release NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2018 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD Later Release NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 2WD | 2.2L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 28 | 31 | 29 |
| CX-5 4WD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 | 30 | 28 |
| CX-5 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 | 31 | 28 |
| CX-5 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 | 30 | 26 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Mazda CX-5: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Mazda CX-5?
Owners filed 113 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Mazda CX-5 — more complaints than 58% of comparable 2018 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Mazda CX-5?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine (73% of complaints) and power train (15%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Mazda CX-5, covering components such as fuel system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mazda CX-5 get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Mazda CX-5 between 26 and 29 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.