2018 Mazda Cx-5 Safety Report
2018 MAZDA CX-5 Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Mazda Cx-5
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Mazda Cx-5. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (84) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
2018 Mazda Cx-5 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Mazda Cx-5, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
68 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Mazda onlyPower Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Mazda onlyPower Train,Engine
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Mazda onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Mazda onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Mazda onlyLane Departure,Back Over Prevention
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Lane Departure,Back Over Prevention issues Mazda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Mazda Cx-5
Reliability Score
The 2018 Mazda Cx-5 receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Mazda Cx-5
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Mazda Cx-5
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Mazda Cx-5:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cracked Cylinder Head A known manufacturing defect causing cracked cylinder heads in 2018-2021 Mazdas with 2.5L engines, leading to oil leaks and engine failure. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine And Engine Cooling Issues with engine and cooling systems, including oil leaks and burning smells, have been reported in multiple vehicles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Forward collision avoidance systems are generally reliable, with no major issues reported. |
Low | Occasional | All miles |
| Lane Departure And Back Over Prevention Lane departure and back over prevention systems have not shown significant issues in reported cases. |
Low | Occasional | All miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Mazda Cx-5:
Engine issues, including cracked cylinder heads and oil leaks, are the most common problems.
Electrical system issues, such as infotainment system malfunctions, have been reported.
Power train issues, including engine misfires and check engine light flashes, have been reported.
Air bag issues, though rare, have been reported in some models.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Mazda Cx-5
Has the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 have?
The 2018 MAZDA CX-5 has 84 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
The 2018 MAZDA CX-5 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 involve engine (68 complaints), power train (5 complaints), power train,engine (5 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other,engine,forward collision avoidance, engine and engine cooling, lane departure,back over prevention.
How many crash reports does the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 MAZDA CX-5.
Should I buy a 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 is acceptable with caveats. It has 84 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 are: 1. ENGINE (68 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (5 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints), 5. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (1 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 68 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
Be cautious of the known manufacturing defect causing cracked cylinder heads, which can lead to engine failure. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2018 MAZDA CX-5 has 84 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
The 2018 MAZDA CX-5 receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 84 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Cracked Cylinder Head and Engine and Engine Cooling.
What are the known issues with the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
Known issues with the 2018 MAZDA CX-5 include: Cracked Cylinder Head, Engine and Engine Cooling, Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Departure and Back Over Prevention. These are based on patterns found across 84 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 MAZDA CX-5?
The most common issues are engine and engine cooling problems, including cracked cylinder heads and oil leaks.
Are the forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems reliable?
Yes, these systems are generally reliable with no major issues reported.
What should I do if I notice a burning smell from the engine?
Take the vehicle to a mechanic immediately to check for oil leaks or other issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the known manufacturing defect causing cracked cylinder heads, which can lead to engine failure. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Mazda Cx-5
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Mazda Cx-5. The data includes 84 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Mazda Cx-5 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16