AI Damage2019 Mazda CX-5: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 filed 272 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 441 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 272
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 441
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 49% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 6% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 132 complaints (49% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 61.
- Electrical system: 46 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 108.
- Powertrain: 32 complaints (12% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 43.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 16 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Forward collision avoidance: 16 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 10 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 10 complaints
- 2.2 L · diesel · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 272 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 132 | 0 | 61 |
| Electrical system | 46 | 2 | 108 |
| Powertrain | 32 | 2 | 43 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 0 | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 16 | 0 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 10 | 0 | 15 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 34 |
| Air bags | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 30 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 88 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 9 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Infotainment Issue (Ghost Touch Issue). Mazda has been experiencing problems with the Infotainment Issue (all around the globe.. I am located in Mexico. Not sure if this channel is the right way to ask for help outside the USA); in different models such as Mazda 3, CX5, etc.
We were at a stop light and we were rear ended by a Lexus SUV. We're assuming she was going 45mph + but we're not too sure yet. I couldn't figure out why myself, the drive of the car that was hit, had such a horrendous neck ache after being hit.
I was about 5 minutes away when my tire separated. I heard my car make a big sound and drop to the ground on the front passenger side. I lost control and hit the side of the curb, but I was able to pull my car over to a side road safely.
My car lurched forward at such high speed that I was unable to remove my foot from the accelerator. I swerved to the right as the car went over a partition and hit another parked car on the other side of the partition. My airbag did not activate.
Applying the brakes, the car started to slow down but suddenly there was a jerk and the car accelerate while the brakes were still being applied. There was a frontal collision which indicates that the smart brakes system was also not working.
Rear of cylinder head has cracked causing an oil leak. Leaking engine oil dripping directly on the exhaust components creates an immediate, severe under hood fire risk and visibility hazard while driving.
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 where the oil was low enough, then I took it to another mechanic, they diagnosed it as some…
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 stated in TSB 05-004/23.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 226 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 11% most complained about).
On average one model year of the CX-5 has 126 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 272, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been…
- Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2)
This is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fitting during the manufacturing process. The accumulated coolant is solidified and plugs the gap in high temperature environment and the seepage is…
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a…
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not…
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly…
- Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair
A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor…
- Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill
The concern will likely occur if the fuel tank is overfilled (more fuel is added after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off automatically) or filled up normally in high ambient temperatures and the fuel expands. No repair is…
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto…
- TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update
INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00, 2018-2025 CX-5, 2019-2023 Mazda3, 2019-2022 CX-3, 2018-2021 Mazda6, 2020-2023 CX-30 Dear Mazda Dealer…
- There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very…
There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This Service Alert is to inform you about the water pump sealing mechanism…
- Some customers may experience a check engine light ON with DTC P0126
00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: Engine takes longer to warm up. Engine temperature gauge fluctuates. Low coolant temperature indicator (blue) light stays on longer or turns on…
- Some vehicles may display some (or all) of the following symptoms
• Check engine light on with DTC P061B • Light increase in engine rpms during acceleration • Transmission will not shift past 4th gear • Various U codes (U0401 ABS, U0401, U0415 FSC, U0301, U0316 SBS/MRCC, U0442 TCM)…
NHTSA lists 441 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Mazda CX-5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 272. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (28%), smoke, burning smell, fire (27%), infotainment or screen glitches (19%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA lists 441 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Mazda CX-5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.