Mazda · Known Issues
2013-2025 Mazda CX-5 Problems: 30 Known Issues
2013-2025 model years · 15,310+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
All years · All trims · All engines
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2013-2025 model years · 15,310+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
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According to Au7o's analysis of 15,310+ owner reports, the 2013-2025 Mazda CX-5 has 30 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Defective Fuel Pump (Denso Recall), Excessive Engine Oil Consumption, Sticking Brake Calipers and Premature Wear, SKYACTIV-D 2.2 Intake Shutter Valve and EGR Carbon Deposit Buildup (Diesel Recall) ($0-$1,500 repair), SKYACTIV-G 2.5T Cracked Cylinder Head Coolant Leak ($2,300-$9,500 repair), SKYACTIV-D 2.2 Diesel Engine Oil Dilution from Interrupted DPF Regeneration ($120-$4,500 repair), Side Curtain Air Bag Silicone Coating Delamination / Gas Leak on Deployment (Recall 18V426) ($0-$0 repair) and Cylinder Deactivation Rocker Arm Dislodgement / Engine Stall (Recall 19V-497) ($0-$3,000 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Defective Fuel Pump (Denso Recall) with 3,200 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $9,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 15,310+ owner reports, the 2013-2025 Mazda CX-5 has 30 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Defective Fuel Pump (Denso Recall), Excessive Engine Oil Consumption, Sticking Brake Calipers and Premature Wear. Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2013-2025 Mazda CX-5 has 30 known issues documented across 15,310+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Defective Fuel Pump (Denso Recall) and Excessive Engine Oil Consumption and Sticking Brake Calipers and Premature Wear and SKYACTIV-D 2.2 Intake Shutter Valve and EGR Carbon Deposit Buildup (Diesel Recall) and SKYACTIV-G 2.5T Cracked Cylinder Head Coolant Leak and SKYACTIV-D 2.2 Diesel Engine Oil Dilution from Interrupted DPF Regeneration and Side Curtain Air Bag Silicone Coating Delamination / Gas Leak on Deployment (Recall 18V426) and Cylinder Deactivation Rocker Arm Dislodgement / Engine Stall (Recall 19V-497). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Mazda CX-5 issues range from $0 to $9,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Reliability varies across model years of the Mazda CX-5. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 2013-2025 Mazda CX-5 with 30 documented issues documented across 15,310+ owner reports.
Low-pressure fuel pump impellers can deform, causing pump failure and engine stalling without warning. Part of massive global recall affecting 19+ million vehicles across multiple manufacturers. Severity: high.
Defective valve stem seals allow oil to leak into combustion chambers, causing excessive oil consumption and potential catastrophic engine failure if oil levels drop critically low. Issue primarily affects 2013-2014 models with resurgence in 2021-2022. Severity: high.
Rear brake calipers and electronic parking brake (EPB) stick or seize due to moisture accumulation in caliper brackets. This causes uneven brake pad wear, overheating, and premature failure, often before 40,000 miles. Severity: high.
The 2.2 SKYACTIV-D runs two EGR valves and recirculates exhaust gas aggressively to meet emissions targets. Soot from that recirculated gas bakes onto the intake shutter valve, the intake manifold runners and the EGR passages; owners have found manifolds and EGR valves 80 percent… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: high.
The turbocharged 2.5T cylinder head can crack in the aluminum casting near the exhaust manifold flange / stud-bolt holes, where thermal load concentrates. This produces a slow external (and sometimes internal) coolant leak: the reservoir drops with no obvious puddle, a sweet cool… Repairs typically run $2,300-$9,500. Severity: high.
The 2.2 SKYACTIV-D uses post-injection of diesel into the cylinder to raise exhaust temperature for diesel particulate filter regeneration. Fuel that is not burned washes past the rings into the sump. If the engine is shut off mid-regeneration - the normal outcome of short urban… Repairs typically run $120-$4,500. Severity: high.
A production error on a small batch of 2018 KF CX-5 vehicles left the cement bonding the silicone coating to the curtain air bag base fabric improperly dried. The resulting poor adhesion allows inflation gas to leak through the fabric during deployment, so the curtain bag loses a… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
On the 2.5L NA engine equipped with cylinder deactivation, faulty PCM software could mismanage the oil-pressure transition of the switchable hydraulic lash adjusters (HLAs) when switching between 2-cylinder and 4-cylinder modes. This let an intake rocker arm slip off the valve ti… Repairs typically run $0-$3,000. Severity: high.
Direct-injection Skyactiv engines accumulate carbon deposits on intake valves due to oil vapors from the PCV system. Without port injection to clean valves, carbon can fuse to valve surfaces over time, typically appearing around 65,000+ miles. Severity: medium.
The Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) fails, causing the infotainment screen to go black, flicker, freeze, or loop repeatedly. Often caused by corrupted firmware, faulty Nav SD card contacts, or failing internal memory. Severity: medium.
Interior door panels rust due to improper drainage design allowing water accumulation. Some colors (Soul Red, Machine Grey) have thin paint causing premature rust bubbling on roof and body panels. Severity: medium.
Wheel bearings fail prematurely due to impact damage (potholes, curbs), contamination from water/salt/grit, or manufacturing defects. Common issue across all model years. Severity: medium.
MAF sensor becomes contaminated with dirt or suffers water damage, providing incorrect air intake readings. Causes vehicle to enter "limp mode" with severe performance degradation. Severity: medium.
AC compressor fails due to leaky seals, inadequate lubrication, or stress from system clogs/moisture. Common failure point for aging CX-5s, particularly in hot climates. Severity: medium.
LED daytime running lights flicker and fail due to sulfur corrosion from improper gasket material. Sulfur from gasket corrodes LED circuit, causing premature failure. Severity: medium.
Exhaust manifold gasket becomes deformed from impact (speed bumps, road debris), causing exhaust leaks. Can also develop manifold cracks over time from heat cycling. Severity: medium.
Naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G CX-5s from the 2018-2019 model years — the bulletin also covers the Mazda6 of the same period and explicitly excludes the Skyactiv-G 2.5T — store P061B:00 in two reproducible situations. The first is an interrupted crank: if the driver lets go of th… Repairs typically run $0-$180. Severity: medium.
Insufficient corrosion-protective coating was applied to the ends of the external cylinders of the rear hatch/liftgate gas stay dampers on first-generation KE CX-5 vehicles built December 15, 2011 through December 26, 2015. Water carrying road salt enters the exposed cylinder end… Repairs typically run $0-$180. Severity: medium.
The six-speed FW6A-EL automatic in the CX-5 locks its torque converter clutch very early and holds it locked across a wide range to chase fuel economy. That aggressive lock-up strategy wears the lock-up clutch lining, and the resulting iron powder contaminates the ATF. Owners rep… Repairs typically run $1,200-$3,200. Severity: medium.
CX-5 owners report a speed-dependent whine or hum that rises and falls with road speed but is unaffected by engine speed or gear - the classic signature of a failing gear-set bearing rather than a transmission or tire issue. Two separate sources exist. On the transaxle side, Mazd… Repairs typically run $150-$2,400. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.