2018 Mazda CX-5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2018 Mazda CX-5, and owners have filed 350 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2018 Mazda CX-5
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
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.
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.
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Power train: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and engine
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.
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…
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Air bags: side/window
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…
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…
350 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Mazda CX-5 have filed 350 complaints with NHTSA; 19 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 27,999 miles. Complaints peaked in 2024 with 73 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“There has been numerous report of the Mazda CX 5 having failure rear differential. I just purchased a 2018 Mazda CX five for my daughter in September 2026 I now am experiencing this issue on the rear”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 25, 2026 · Power train
“2018 Mazda CX-5 2.5L NA Engine Cracked cylinder head and blown head gasket with leaking oil onto exhaust manifold resulting in white smoke & burning oil smell. No engine light. Issue confirmed by deal”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 24, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 Mazda CX-5 (CX-5 2WD, CX-5 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 26–29 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 24–28 / 30–31 |
| Fuel | Diesel, Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2.2/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
Compare Mazda CX-5 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Mazda CX-5 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 Mazda CX-5 | 1 | 194 |
| 2014 Mazda CX-5 | 3 | 377 |
| 2015 Mazda CX-5 | 3 | 133 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | 4 | 510 |
| 2017 Mazda CX-5 | 1 | 148 |
| 2018 Mazda CX-5 | 3 | 350 |
| 2019 Mazda CX-5 | 2 | 270 |
| 2020 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 107 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 147 |
| 2022 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 63 |
| 2023 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 64 |
| 2024 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 44 |
| 2025 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 28 |
| 2026 Mazda CX-5 | 0 | 15 |
Checking a specific 2018 Mazda CX-5
How do I know if my 2018 Mazda CX-5 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2018 Mazda CX-5; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mazda dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V426000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Mazda models
- 6263,130 complaints
- MAZDA32,987 complaints
- MAZDA62,234 complaints
- Tribute2,102 complaints
- CX-91,438 complaints
- CX-71,132 complaints
- Protege1,076 complaints
- Mpv938 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.