NHTSA — Engine Problems

2019 Mazda CX-5 (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,883 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2019 Mazda CX-5 engine problems

engine problem

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2019 Mazda CX-5 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Jan 232024

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I developed a cracked cylinder head in my 2019 Mazda CX-5 that only had 33,000 miles on it. I lost approximately 50% of my oil in a 4 mile drive. I believed I had been leaking oil, checked the dipstick, drove 4 miles (max speed of 35 mph), smelled the burning oil, pulled over, saw smoke coming from the hood and checked the dipstick again. Losing this much oil is a safety risk with the possibility of a fire especially if driving at a faster speed and inability to have a safe place to pull over along with smoke from the burning oil causing visibility issues which at higher speeds such as on an interstate can cause a safety concern. No indicator lights/messages appeared, this was determined from seeing what I thought was oil on the ground and then checking the dipstick. Mazda is well aware of the issue. When picking up the car for the dealership after being fixed, I asked what kind of parts were used to ensure this does it happen again. The shop employee said they were -??revamped-?? parts due to the known issue with this model and pointed out 4 other Mazda cx5s currently in the shop with the same issue getting repaired.

- Moosic , PA, USA

problem #32

Jan 182024

CX-5

  • miles
Had the sudden onset of strong exhaust fumes in the cabin as others have described - especially when idling at a light. Returned to dealer after having it up on a rack to find oil dripping everywhere (shield underneath prevents from seeing drops when parked) - got word today it is indeed the cylinder head assembly. How is oil running on hot exhaust not a fire concern? I had to roll my windows down for fresh air in zero degree weather the fumes were so strong inside the vehicle. On top of that the P0126 (thermostat stuck open) diagnostic code is back for the second year in a row after having the -??fix-?? installed under warranty last year.

- Morgantown, WV, USA

problem #31

Jan 082024

CX-5

  • miles
My engine started smoking while I was driving fast got out of car oil leaking everywhere there was a crack in the cylinder head, another few minutes of driving and the car could have burst into flames seems like it-??s a common issue with Mazda cx5 a quick google search has shown me I-??m not the only one with this issue, worst thing about it is Mazda refused to fix it.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #30

Sep 012023

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil coming through cylinder head above exhaust manifold due to being porous, car leaking oil and need to put more oil in every other day. Mazda known issue tsb# sa-031/21

- Morongo Valley, CA, USA

problem #29

Dec 152023

CX-5

  • miles
The 2019 CX-5 has approximately 31086 miles. It was discovered that the cylinder head is cracked and causing the car to leak oil.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #28

Nov 252023

CX-5

  • miles
My engine suddenly started smelling like burning oil. I was due for an oil change and needed it immediately so I went to a quick oil change shop. They told me oil was sprayed all over the engine and I should take it to the dealer. It's been at Napleton Auto Park in Urbana, Illinois for a week and they finally diagnosed a cracked cylinder head. They said it could take up to 2 months to repair and they're checking to see if it's covered by my warranty.

- Urbana, IL, USA

problem #27

Nov 232023

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2019 Mazda CX-5 cylinder head cracked at only 60,000 miles. I noticed my breaks were smoking and stopped driving. I then noticed oil leaking from my engine which had blown into my breaks, causing the smoke. There was no check engine indicator on my dashboard, nor did it indicate that my engine had overheated. There was no indication that there was any issues with the vehicle until i noticed the smoke coming from my brakes. I towed the vehicle to the Captial Mazda Dealership in San Jose, CA. Per Mazda Dealership Repair Estimate: "cylinder head cracked by cylinders 2 and 3". When i asked the dealership service center why this happened, their only response was it was a engine failure and that "over time the cylinder can become warped and crack" and while it that doesn't happen often "it can happen" I asked if there was anything I did that caused this, their only response was "i can check with the technician again". Apparently I did not purchase the "extended warranty" so while the repairs are no fault of my own, I have to pay the $6,000 repair cost.

- Union City , CA, USA

problem #26

Nov 122023

CX-5

  • miles
Cracked cylinder head which caused engine to leak oil and smoke

- Somerset, MA, USA

problem #25

Nov 032023

CX-5

  • miles
Smoke coming out from hood, upon looking at it we found oil leak, took to nearest service shop and found cracks in engine head. Brought car to the dealer ship for further inspection and repairs.

- Manor, TX, USA

problem #24

Oct 262023

CX-5

  • miles
Noticed the smell of burning oil in the cab on 30 mile drive. No warning lamps or other symptoms; vehicle continued to operate normally. After parking and inspecting the engine for the burning smell, noticed oil dripping from underneath engine bay and a pool of motor oil was forming on the ground underneath the vehicle. The next day, vehicle was brought to local Mazda dealer for inspection. They diagnosed the cause and stated the engine needs a cylinder head replacement. Oil leakage was so prolific, if this were to occur during a long distance drive, the engine would have lost all of the oil and stranded motorist - safety concern. Cylinder head failure is a known issue (Mazda TSB SA-031/21) with this engine. This known safety issue should trigger a recall. At minimum, the repair should covered by manufacturer for life of vehicle.

- Chaska, MN, USA

problem #23

Sep 262023

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Cracked cylinder head with oil leaking. There were no warning from my car prior to a diagnostic test. The car has a very strong rubber burning smell and white smoke comes out from the engine part before I took my car back to the Mazda Dealer. From a quick search, the cracked cylinder problem seems widespread with the 2018-2021's Mazda Cx-5. Took the car back to the dealer and dealer replaced the head cylinder and gaskets. There were no warning from the car.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #22

Jul 312023

CX-5

  • miles
2 weeks ago I noticed an oil leak 2019 cx5. Riley Mazda of Stamford check and found a cracked on the cylinder head. The cylinder head needs to be replaced cost around $5000. luckily we noticed the leak while car was park. Imagine if the car was on the road. Dangerous things could have happened. Mazda is aware of this situation years ago. A technician Service Bulletin was released by Mazda in 2019/2021 to all dealerships technicians repair guideline and why the cylinder cracks. On the Mazda bulletin it clearly explained a design defect resulting cylinder head cracks. Also Mazda failed to warn cx5 owners about the dangerous situation. On top of everything Mazda refuse to pay the Defect cracked cylinder head that cost around $5000. I email mazda Numerous times and decline any goodwill repair. Reason is out of warranty. Most Cylinder heads past 200,000 mile mark. Not unless your engine overheats but it not. Mazda should reimburse us owner who paid the repair cost

- Stamford , CT, USA

problem #21

Dec 122022

CX-5

  • miles
Smoke started coming from the front end of the car so I brought my car into the Boniface Heirs Mazda dealership for a diagnostic. I was informed by the mechanic that my car has a factory defect and the head of the engine was welded wrong. Apparently this is a known factory defect in the 2018-2019 Mazda CX-5s as I have seen other reports for the same issue. I reached out to Mazda corporate to see if they could help with -??after warranty assistance-?? since this was a manufacturers issue and I do everything to maintain my car properly. They denied any help and do not plan on recalling the part. I had no warning lights just smoke pouring from the font of my car. I do not understand how this is not considered a safety issue. I-??m lucky my car didn-??t catch on fire. I now have to decide between spending $5000 to fix the engine head or to sell my car and find a new one.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #20

Aug 062023

CX-5

  • miles
While driving down the road my Mazda CX-5 continues to just stall and the engine light turns on and the safety features turn off. I was driving down a road in town and the engine started stalling as I came to a red light and slowed the engine shut off and I was almost hit from behind. It took several attempts at starting before the car would start. This has now happened for the past 3 days and is happening more and more frequently. I do not have any other means of transportation and after attempting to get the dealership to check due to the recalls on the Mazda CX-5 for fuel pump failure and the mechanic saying it appears the fuel pump is bad the dealership refuses to attempt any repair because the VIN is not listed in the recall at this time. This is a severe safety problem because if it stalls in traffic I will be in an accident as I have no ability to maneuver the vehicle when it stalls to get out of the way of vehicles approaching. If this issue isn't resolved it is going to cause injury to myself or others. People have had to swerve into the path of other vehicles to keep from hitting me when it stalls, which is eventually going to result in harm to others and/or myself and family.

- Lake City, FL, USA

problem #19

Jul 312023

CX-5

  • miles
purchase a new 2019 cx5 at riley mazda stamford. after 3 years and with 88t miles, the head gasket cylinder gasket needs a replacement for $4500. while searching i read the same complaints from 2019 cx5 owners about head gasket blownout. a TSB Technician Service Bulletin was release by Mazda in 2019 regarding this issue and another one 2021 with affected vin numbers included, this car is un drivable, oil leaks like water falls and burning smells along w

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #18

Jun 302023

CX-5

  • miles
Crack in Cylinder Head at only 67,000 miles, leaking fuel into exhaust system, causing smoke while driving. Multiple shops consistently mentioned seeing this problem with this year, make and model. Due to 60k powertrain warranty, no fixes are being covered by Mazda

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #17

Jul 242023

CX-5

  • miles
After noticing a burning oil smell following an oil change, I brought my 2019 Mazda CX-5 Touring (42,000 miles) back to the Mazda dealership assuming an issue with the fuel filter. There were no warning lights/messages associated with the smell. The Mazda dealership inspected the vehicle and indicated the leaking oil was due to a cracked cylinder head, which was known issue covered under Mazda's warranty.

- Bourne, MA, USA

problem #16

Jul 042023

CX-5

  • miles
Vehicle warning system notified operator of engine overheating. Operator took vehicle to repair shop where mechanic identified a cracked cylinder head. Mechanic mentioned no reason crack should have occurred, potential manufacturer defect with forged aluminum casing.

- Carbondale, CO, USA

problem #15

Jun 192023

CX-5

  • miles
Oil light came on. Cracked cylinder head causing oil to leak in rear of engine onto exhaust system. This gives off burnt oil smell into vehicle passenger area. Concerned this could cause fire. Vehicle was taken back to dealer where it was found to be leaking. Dealer stated will order new cylinder head but does not know when it will be in. dealer stated drive vehicle until part comes in.

- Hannastown, PA, USA

problem #14

Apr 042023

CX-5

  • miles
The cylinder head is -??seeping-?? out oil Not a crack and not gasket failure Dealer service advises they could help us get it fixed IF ONLY we had receipts of oil changes. We do not because we change the oil ourself.

- Cedar Hill, TN, USA

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