Cx5 engine failure, avoid this model
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: TN
Sounds super unlucky as these are very reliable cars. 10k for a new motor seems high even for a dealer, if this is true and all you say is true(have my doubts) get a rebuilt, have it rebuilt, find a used motor.
Last edited by TNtrailrider; Aug 21, 2023 at 08:35 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
2018 cx5
Cracked cylinder at 60k (fixed under warranty) then I get to 88k and the whole engine needs to be replaced (fixed under warranty) this is so stupid. Very unreliable!
I also want to add that if you think they have fixed the cylinder problem think again. They still have yet to fix the battery and wire problems we had in the 2014 that we then experienced in the 2018. Wow how crazy but i won’t be buying one ever again.
I also want to add that if you think they have fixed the cylinder problem think again. They still have yet to fix the battery and wire problems we had in the 2014 that we then experienced in the 2018. Wow how crazy but i won’t be buying one ever again.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: London
Cracked cylinder at 60k (fixed under warranty) then I get to 88k and the whole engine needs to be replaced (fixed under warranty) this is so stupid. Very unreliable!
I also want to add that if you think they have fixed the cylinder problem think again. They still have yet to fix the battery and wire problems we had in the 2014 that we then experienced in the 2018. Wow how crazy but i won’t be buying one ever again.
I also want to add that if you think they have fixed the cylinder problem think again. They still have yet to fix the battery and wire problems we had in the 2014 that we then experienced in the 2018. Wow how crazy but i won’t be buying one ever again.
I'm currently running a 10 year comparison of top of the range CX5 with top of the range CR-V.
Properly serviced the CX5 has been totally reliable. The only faults have been both Bose speakers delaminating (simply re-gluing resolution).
UK Mazda dealers can be very poor (hopeless at applying TSBs) & very expensive.
Properly serviced means an occasional ester flush, oil changes by schedule plus whenever DPF interruptions require it.
The Swindon, UK built Honda CR-V's reliability has been hit badly by UK or Europeans parts that do not meet their Japanese counterparts such as tank seals.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 10,515
Likes: 216
From: Northern California
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: London
4k oil changes: How would that have come about? A generous play on the scheduled 6750 mile oil service (2.2 diesel) schedule would still suggest 6750*.75= over 5k oil changes. Your statement seems implausible.
Its easy to understand a falling out with a Mazda dealer.
Mazda make the most reliable advanced cars. Not coincidentally related to their early investment in CNC technology in order to test trail blazing engineering.
Exemplified by Ford buying in. Wankel engines outsmarting F1 etc.
Its easy to understand a falling out with a Mazda dealer.
Mazda make the most reliable advanced cars. Not coincidentally related to their early investment in CNC technology in order to test trail blazing engineering.
Exemplified by Ford buying in. Wankel engines outsmarting F1 etc.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 28
Likes: 2
I partially agree with your statement.
The older CX-5 cylinder head defect is a design/manufacture problem and leaves CX-5 owners playing a game of musical chairs to see who gets stuck with it. And imo, it is unacceptable for engines to blow under 100 k miles. Luckily mine failed and was replaced under warranty.
As it sounds as you are not in USA, is there any governmental agency you can file complaint with? Have you tried to see if they(mazda) would provide an new engine at cost and seen if dealer will cut break on labor? Try again! Have you got labor estimates from some other local mechanics(not dealers) to compare engine installation charges? Normally I'd say get a junkyard engine but the vehicle is only 5 years old and the salvage yards engines will likely have the same defect. So you definitely need a new engine install.
In the future, for any New vehicles you purchase, either
1. buy New,
2. buy CPO used with extended warranty or
3. buy used 10 year old clunkers and save your money up.
also, usually there is a warning to stop driving before the engine is completely damaged. Low engine oil warnings, Smoke, noise, low coolant warnings, etc. Are you sure the engine was completely damaged? Did she continues to drive it while low on oil? Maybe have another mechanic check and see if it just needs the head versus a New engine.
It is disappointing mazda hasn't stepped up to fix the cylinder head / engine failures once they occur, even though outside the warranty.
they really should extend the powertrain warranty to 100 k miles for older CX-5. But at this point, doubt that will happen.
but, I disagree that one shouldn't consider a newer CX5. The engine defects were supposedly fixed and it is one of the safest SUVs on the market with great acceleration and handling. Imo, Anyone looking for a CX5 should get a 2021 or newer models.
The older CX-5 cylinder head defect is a design/manufacture problem and leaves CX-5 owners playing a game of musical chairs to see who gets stuck with it. And imo, it is unacceptable for engines to blow under 100 k miles. Luckily mine failed and was replaced under warranty.
As it sounds as you are not in USA, is there any governmental agency you can file complaint with? Have you tried to see if they(mazda) would provide an new engine at cost and seen if dealer will cut break on labor? Try again! Have you got labor estimates from some other local mechanics(not dealers) to compare engine installation charges? Normally I'd say get a junkyard engine but the vehicle is only 5 years old and the salvage yards engines will likely have the same defect. So you definitely need a new engine install.
In the future, for any New vehicles you purchase, either
1. buy New,
2. buy CPO used with extended warranty or
3. buy used 10 year old clunkers and save your money up.
also, usually there is a warning to stop driving before the engine is completely damaged. Low engine oil warnings, Smoke, noise, low coolant warnings, etc. Are you sure the engine was completely damaged? Did she continues to drive it while low on oil? Maybe have another mechanic check and see if it just needs the head versus a New engine.
It is disappointing mazda hasn't stepped up to fix the cylinder head / engine failures once they occur, even though outside the warranty.
they really should extend the powertrain warranty to 100 k miles for older CX-5. But at this point, doubt that will happen.
but, I disagree that one shouldn't consider a newer CX5. The engine defects were supposedly fixed and it is one of the safest SUVs on the market with great acceleration and handling. Imo, Anyone looking for a CX5 should get a 2021 or newer models.
OP, you should really try escalating it w/ Mazda. There was a post in here not too long ago about someone essentially in the same situation, that was initially denied assistance, but when they escalated, Mazda stepped up.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 25
From: Maine
Cracked cylinder at 60k (fixed under warranty) then I get to 88k and the whole engine needs to be replaced (fixed under warranty) this is so stupid. Very unreliable!
I also want to add that if you think they have fixed the cylinder problem think again. They still have yet to fix the battery and wire problems we had in the 2014 that we then experienced in the 2018. Wow how crazy but i won’t be buying one ever again.
I also want to add that if you think they have fixed the cylinder problem think again. They still have yet to fix the battery and wire problems we had in the 2014 that we then experienced in the 2018. Wow how crazy but i won’t be buying one ever again.
If you are seeking support therapy, you will not find it in a Mazda CX-5 enthusiast forum.
You need look for a Mazda CX-5 bashing forum for that.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 142
Likes: 4
From: Michigan
I always look for service records/receipts on failure claims. It is super quick and easy to redact personal info then scan or take pictures then post. I want to read what the write up indicates. No record doesn't mean automatically untrue but no record means not much attention for me.
I also notice people here aren't detailing turbo or non-turbo. The head cracking thing was a long time ago and isolated and most reports I see are the turbo for which there were bulletins. Still - forums. You read a dozen or two reports against hundreds of thousands on the road that never have an issue.
I also notice people here aren't detailing turbo or non-turbo. The head cracking thing was a long time ago and isolated and most reports I see are the turbo for which there were bulletins. Still - forums. You read a dozen or two reports against hundreds of thousands on the road that never have an issue.
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