Used Mazda CX-5 Buyer's Guide (2017–2024)
Check 2018 and 2019 head oil leaks, 2.5 turbo coolant and oil use programs, the stall and fuel pump recalls, and the P0126 thermostat program.
Photo: HJUdall, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0. A representative example, not a car we inspected.
The second generation CX-5 ran from 2017 to 2024 in the US. It is a compact SUV that buyers pick for its looks, its handling and a cabin that feels nicer than the price. Lots of them are for sale, so a careful buyer can be choosy.
Every CX-5 here uses a 2.5L four cylinder with a 6-speed automatic. A 2.5L turbo joined the lineup for 2019 on upper trims. Front and all wheel drive were both sold.
The CX-5 has few recalls, but the engine files matter. Many 2018 and 2019 owner complaints describe oil leaking from the cylinder head. Mazda extended coverage on 2.5 turbo cylinder head coolant leaks for 2019 and 2020, and on oil use for some 2021 turbos after a class action. A long thermostat warranty extension covers 2018 and newer cars, and an engine stall and a fuel pump recall hit 2018 and 2019.
- 2.5L 4-cyl (Skyactiv-G)
- 2.5L turbo 4-cyl (2019 on)
Second generation (KF), sold as model years 2017–2024.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 2017–2024 | 6-speed automatic | The most common engine. Most 2018 and 2019 engine complaints describe cylinder head cracks and oil leaks. |
| 2.5L turbo 4-cyl | 2019–2024 | 6-speed automatic | Upper trims. Check programs CSP11 on 2019 and 2020 cars and SSPD5 on 2021 cars. |
- Sport Base trim, front or all wheel drive.
- Touring The most common trim, with more comfort features.
- Grand Touring Top trim of the early years, with leather.
- Grand Touring Reserve Added for 2019 with the 2.5L turbo.
- Signature Added for 2019, the most loaded trim, with the turbo.
- Carbon Edition and Turbo trims Later special and turbo trims as the lineup was reshuffled.
- 2022 63 NHTSA owner complaints and no recalls in NHTSA's data for this year. Outside the 2.5 turbo programs CSP11 and SSPD5 and the infotainment program. Still in the SSPD8 thermostat program, and newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
- 2023 64 complaints and no recalls in NHTSA's data. Same thermostat program as 2022. Check the oil and the head for leaks like any non-turbo CX-5.
- 2019 The most NHTSA owner complaints of any year here (270, with 131 coded to the engine). Two recalls (engine stall and fuel pump), the first turbo year with programs CSP11 and the misfire bulletin, plus CSP12 and CSP13.
- 2018 96 of its 119 complaints are coded to the engine, most describing a cracked cylinder head or oil leaks. Three recalls: engine stall, fuel pump and side curtain air bags.
- 2021 147 complaints with 80 coded to the engine. Turbo cars from this year are in the SSPD5 oil use program. No recalls in NHTSA's data.
Picked from the recalls, bulletins and NHTSA complaint records below, not from a reliability rating. Any single car can be better or worse than its year.
Many of the 2018 and 2019 CX-5 owner complaints in NHTSA's file are coded to the engine (96 of 119 for 2018 and 131 of 270 for 2019). A large share describe engine oil leaking onto the exhaust, smoke from under the hood, and a dealer finding a cracked cylinder head. Mazda has not issued a recall or a warranty extension for this. Mazda did set up a new service cylinder head assembly for 2018 to 2023 CX-5s with the non-turbo 2.5L and cylinder deactivation, and its service alert lists oil leaks, coolant leaks, misfires and low compression among its search words.
WE CHECK We look for oil on the exhaust manifold and the back of the cylinder head, check for a burning oil smell and smoke after the road test, check the oil level, and scan for misfire codes.
SOURCE NHTSA owner complaints, 2018 Mazda CX-5 · NHTSA owner complaints, 2019 Mazda CX-5 · Mazda service alert SA-073/24a: new 2.5L cylinder head assembly for service (on NHTSA)
For certain 2019 and 2020 CX-5s with the 2.5L turbo, coolant can leak from cracks in the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold. Mazda's bulletin 01-002/23 says forces from the exhaust manifold and stress in the head material can cause the cracks, and it changed the gasket and head design. Under program CSP11, Mazda extended the powertrain warranty for this repair to 10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first. A dealer must confirm the leak matches the bulletin.
WE CHECK We check the coolant level, look around the exhaust manifold for coolant crust or wetness, watch the temperature on the road test, and work out how much of the 10 year or 120,000 mile coverage is left.
SOURCE Mazda dealer letter: program CSP11 coolant leak warranty extension (on NHTSA) · Mazda owner letter: program CSP11 (on NHTSA) · Mazda bulletin 01-002/23a: coolant leaks at cylinder head (2.5T) (on NHTSA)
Mazda bulletin 01-001/23 covers 2019 and 2020 CX-5s with the 2.5L turbo built before July 8, 2020. The variable valve in the exhaust manifold can seize, wear the exhaust valve seats and cause compression loss. Owners may notice poor acceleration, rough idle or a check engine light with misfire codes, though the light does not always come on. The fix is a new cylinder head and an updated exhaust manifold. This is a bulletin, not an extended warranty.
WE CHECK We scan for misfire codes, feel for rough idle and weak pull on the road test, and read the records for head or exhaust manifold work.
SOURCE Mazda bulletin 01-001/23a: 2.5T rough idle and misfire (on NHTSA)
Mazda bulletin 01-012/21 says some 2021 CX-5s with the 2.5L turbo show a low oil warning with no leak, because oil gets past the valve stem seals. After a class action settlement, program SSPD5 extended the powertrain warranty on certain 2021 CX-5 turbos built from October 6, 2020 to September 13, 2021 (US cars with the 10.25 inch screen). Mazda says that coverage is 7 years or 84,000 miles, whichever comes first, and that an extra 1 year of valve seal coverage has now expired.
WE CHECK We check the oil level and condition, ask how often oil is added, scan for code P250F, and read the records for valve stem seal work under SSPD5.
SOURCE Mazda program SSPD5 parts and warranty information (April 2026 update) (on NHTSA) · Mazda program SSPD5 dealer announcement (on NHTSA) · Mazda bulletin 01-012/21: low engine oil level, 2021 2.5T (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 19V-497 covers certain 2018 and 2019 CX-5s. A software error in the engine computer may cause the engine to stall, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers reprogram the engine computer for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall and road test for stalling, rough running or hesitation.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 19V-497
NHTSA recall 21V-875 covers certain 2018 and 2019 CX-5s. The impeller inside the low pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, so the pump can fail and stall the engine. Dealers replace the pump for free. After a class action settlement, program CSP12 covers fuel pump failure for 15 years or 150,000 miles on recalled cars and on more 2017 to 2019 CX-5s that were not in the recall.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for an open recall, road test for stumbling or stalling, and read the records for recall 21V-875 work.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 21V-875 · Mazda dealer letter: program CSP12 fuel pump warranty extension (on NHTSA)
NHTSA recall 18V-426 covers certain 2018 CX-5s whose side curtain air bags may not unfold properly in a side impact or rollover. Dealers replace the curtain air bags for free. Recall 17V-744 covers certain 2017 CX-5s with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness that can rub the muffler and stop the trailer lights working. Dealers reroute or replace the harness for free.
WE CHECK We check the VIN for open recalls, look at the air bag light, and if there is a hitch, check the trailer harness routing near the muffler.
SOURCE NHTSA recall 18V-426 · NHTSA recall 17V-744
Program SSPD8 covers certain 2018 to 2025 CX-5s. The fail-safe thermostat inside the coolant control valve can stick open and set code P0126. Owners may see slow warm up, a temperature gauge that moves around, the blue low coolant temperature light staying on, or weak heat at idle. Mazda extended coverage for this repair to 15 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date. Mazda's newer repair replaces the thermostat with a plug and updates the engine software.
WE CHECK We scan for code P0126, watch how fast the engine warms up, check the heater, and read the records for SSPD8 work.
SOURCE Mazda dealer letter: program SSPD8 repair and coverage update (December 2025) (on NHTSA) · Mazda owner letter: program SSPD8 (on NHTSA)
Mazda service alert SA-047/21 covers 2018 to 2021 CX-5s that show a check engine light with code P3400, a cylinder deactivation fault. Mazda says plastic from the oil filter wrapper can fall into the filter during oil changes and plug the cylinder deactivation oil control valve. The dealer removes and cleans the valves. Mazda says warranty does not apply when outside influence caused it.
WE CHECK We scan for code P3400 and read oil change records to see who did the work.
SOURCE Mazda service alert SA-047/21: P3400 cylinder deactivation (on NHTSA)
After a Mazda Connect infotainment class action settlement, Mazda started program CSP13 for certain 2017 to 2020 CX-5s. Dealers diagnose infotainment problems and do software updates under the program. Mazda says the screen itself (including cracks or ghost touch), the SD card and the rear camera are not covered items.
WE CHECK We test the screen, knob controls, navigation and phone pairing, and suggest asking a Mazda dealer whether the VIN shows CSP13.
SOURCE Mazda program CSP13 subject vehicle list (on NHTSA) · Mazda dealer letter: CSP13 coverage reminder (July 2025) (on NHTSA)
- Check the VIN for open recalls, especially on 2017 to 2019 cars.
- Look for oil on the exhaust manifold and the back of the cylinder head.
- Check the oil level and ask how often oil is added.
- On turbos, check coolant level and look around the exhaust manifold for leaks.
- Scan for codes, including misfire codes, P0126 and P3400.
- Road test for stalling, rough idle, weak pull and slow warm up.
- Check the heater and the temperature gauge.
- Test the infotainment screen, camera and phone pairing.
- Proof of recall work on 2018 and 2019 cars: 19V-497 engine software and 21V-875 fuel pump.
- Any cylinder head, head gasket or oil leak repairs, with the parts and dates.
- On 2019 and 2020 turbos, any coolant leak or cylinder head work under program CSP11.
- On 2021 turbos, valve stem seal work or oil top offs under program SSPD5.
- Thermostat or coolant control valve work under program SSPD8.
- Regular oil changes, ideally with the shop named.
Each year has its own guide. The engines, the transmission, and what changed that year.
A TSB is a note the maker sends to dealers about a known fix. They are not recalls. We check the bulletins so we know what to look for:
Cold-start noise, drivability, and idle issues for this vehicle. We test for each.
Shift quality and transmission fluid updates. We drive every gear.
Locks, wipers, infotainment, and trim items. Small, but good to know.
Bulletins stay with the maker, so we pull the current list for this exact vehicle during the inspection and tell you what applies.
Found a Mazda CX-5 you like? A pre purchase inspection checks every trouble spot above on the car you are buying.
Do 2018 and 2019 Mazda CX-5s have cylinder head problems?
What is Mazda program CSP11?
Does the 2021 CX-5 turbo burn oil?
What does code P0126 mean on a CX-5?
What is the CX-5 fuel pump recall?
Which used CX-5 years are best?
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