Mazda CX-5 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 283 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Mazda CX-5 across 14 model years. The 2016 model year has the most (51). The words owners use most often: “cylinder head” (11% of reports).
- 283power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 13mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $5,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 29%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Cylinder head: mentioned in 30 of 283 complaints (11%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Mazda CX-5 at $5,000, and half of them between $3,750 and $5,800.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2014–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 155 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 283 complaints, 13 mention a crash, 7 an injury.
Mazda CX-5 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 CX-5 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2025 CX-5 | 3 | 11% | — |
| 2024 CX-5 | 3 | 7% | 39,381 |
| 2023 CX-5 | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2022 CX-5 | 5 | 8% | 2,032 |
| 2021 CX-5 | 17 | 11% | — |
| 2020 CX-5 | 8 | 7% | 96,000 |
| 2019 CX-5 | 32 | 12% | 9,500 |
| 2018 CX-5 | 42 | 12% | 2,173 |
| 2017 CX-5 | 11 | 7% | 11,700 |
| 2016 CX-5 | 51 | 10% | 5,411 |
| 2015 CX-5 | 19 | 14% | 60,074 |
| 2014 CX-5 | 50 | 13% | 49,750 |
| 2013 CX-5 | 38 | 20% | 34,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); engine
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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 diff. The dealer will not cover the repair since itâs as is purchase Mazda should take this as a…
Differential went and generated a cascading chain reaction destroying the coupler and breather and axles. Car is undrivable. This. Defect has a TSB
I purchased a used 2019 Mazda CX-5 in 2024, with 25,000 miles on it. In June of 2026 I started to have an oil leak. Took it to a mechanic's shop who diagnosed it as a valve cover gasket, ran the car for another 2 months, oil leak did not stop, got worse, to the point where my oil light came on…
1. January 2025 Diagnosis (Inside Powertrain Warranty): I presented the vehicle (2019 Mazda CX5, 36K miles) with severe transmission jerking and shift lurching at a local Mazda dealership. Technicians diagnosed teh issue as described in TSB 05-004/23 and applied a software flash to the PCM/TCM…
1.January 2025 Diagnosis (Inside Powertrain Warranty): I presented the vehicle with severe transmission jerking and shift lurching. Your technicians applied a software flash to the PCM/TCM per TSB 05-004/23. Mazdaâs official text states the root cause of this symptom is torque fluctuation and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Mazda CX-5s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 283 owner complaints about power train for the Mazda CX-5. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Mazda CX-5 power train?
Yes: 1 safety recall list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Mazda CX-5?
Owners report a typical cost of $5,000 (half paid between $3,750 and $5,800), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Mazda CX-5?
The most frequent phrase is “cylinder head”, in 30 of 283 complaints.
Other Mazda CX-5 problems
See all Mazda CX-5 problems.