NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, which can cause the fuel pump to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
This page covers 5 recalls, 336 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Mazda CX-5.
26–28 mpg combined
8.4–9 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2017 to 2018 Mazda CX-5 received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. In frontal crash testing, the vehicle earned five stars. Side crash protection also received five stars, while the side pole test resulted in five stars. Rollover resistance was rated at four stars. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this assessment covers the entire 2017 to 2018 range.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2018 CX-5 complaint set, with owners frequently describing burning smells and smoke coming from under the hood, often noticed while the vehicle was stopped or idling. Many of these reports involve relatively low mileage, commonly in the 50,000-mile range, and owners note the issue appearing without any prior warning signs. Some describe discovering related problems like valve cover gasket leaks or belt deterioration alongside the burning smell. The powertrain category adds a smaller but consistent thread of reports around axle and drivetrain wear. A handful of complaints in the fuel system category round out the picture. The burning smell and smoke pattern is the clearest recurring theme, with owners across multiple reports describing the same sequence: an unexpected odor, visible smoke from the hood, and an abrupt decision to stop driving.
336
Total Complaints
19
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Mazda CX-5 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a PCM software error that can cause the engine to lose power or stall while driving, leaving the vehicle unable to restart.
The engine stall risk is covered by two related recalls addressing the same underlying PCM software problem, where the valve clearance adjuster fails to function correctly, leading to misfires, power loss, and in the worst case, a complete stall with no ability to restart at speed. On the fuel system side, the low-pressure fuel pump contains an impeller that can crack and deform over time, eventually causing the pump to stop delivering fuel to the engine and triggering another potential stall while driving. Two recalls cover the side curtain airbags, which may fail to unfold correctly during a side impact or rollover, meaning the bags deploy but do not spread into their intended shape to help keep occupants inside the cabin during a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, which can cause the fuel pump to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the engine control module prevents the valve clearance adjuster from operating correctly, potentially causing internal engine damage, misfiring, power loss, stalling without restart capability, and warning light activation.
What the fix does
Mazda will mail owners instructions to visit a dealer, who will update the engine control module software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the powertrain control module may cause the engine to stall unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software at no charge to correct the error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In a side impact or rollover crash, the side curtain air bags may not unfold properly during deployment.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the curtain air bags at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The side curtain airbags may not unfold fully during deployment in a side-impact or rollover crash, which could increase injury risk to occupants.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side curtain airbags.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
