2018 Mazda 5 Reliability Report

Owners report several issues with the 2018 Mazda 5's powertrain, most notably involving cracked cylinder heads leading to oil leaks and burning smells. These symptoms often appear around 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Complaints frequently mention oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold, creating smoke and potential fire hazards. Another common issue involves the vehicle stalling unexpectedly at low speeds, sometimes requiring unusual restart procedures, and is occasionally linked to high-pressure fuel pump failures. These problems can lead to safety risks, including loss of control and fire hazards, which are significant considerations for used car buyers.

Owners report frequent issues with the fuel system in the 2018 Mazda CX-5, particularly related to fuel pump failures. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as stalling, loss of motive power, and difficulty with acceleration, often occurring at various speeds. These issues are typically noted around 33,000 to 82,000 miles. Multiple owners describe receiving recall notifications but experiencing delays in obtaining the necessary parts for repair, sometimes resulting in prolonged unresolved issues. While no crashes or fires are reported, the loss of power poses potential safety risks, especially when occurring unexpectedly while driving.

Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 report recurring issues with the service brakes, particularly involving premature wear and malfunctioning electronic parking brakes. Complaints frequently mention rear brake pads wearing out faster than expected, sometimes as early as 13,200 miles, with signs of corrosion and sticking calipers. Several reports describe the Smart City Brake Support system engaging unexpectedly, causing sudden stops without driver input, which has led to near-miss situations and, in some cases, crashes. Additionally, incidents involving the electronic parking brake failing to engage properly have resulted in unintended vehicle movement and crashes. These issues are typically reported at low to moderate mileage and raise potential safety concerns due to loss of braking control and unexpected vehicle behavior.

Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 frequently report issues with the windshield wipers ceasing to function, often during rain, which poses a significant visibility risk. Complaints commonly describe wipers stopping unexpectedly, sometimes becoming stuck in the up position, or failing in all modes including automatic settings. Several reports suggest a potential link to the Body Control Module or Front Body Power Module, with some owners noting the problem persists despite attempts at repair. Mileage is not consistently mentioned, but failures are reported at various points during ownership. Safety implications include one reported crash with three injuries due to wiper failure in heavy rain, highlighting the potential danger of this issue.

Owners report issues with the vehicle speed control in the 2018 Mazda 5, with several complaints involving unintended acceleration, particularly at low speeds when parking, leading to crashes. Symptoms include sudden acceleration despite braking, as described by multiple owners who experienced their vehicles lurching forward unexpectedly. Additionally, some owners experience the vehicle entering limp mode, severe hesitation, or stalling, with warning lights illuminating and the vehicle failing to accelerate properly. These issues are reported at various mileage points, with some vehicles experiencing problems almost immediately after purchase. The safety implications are significant, as unintended acceleration has resulted in crashes and the inability to control vehicle speed poses a risk to drivers and others on the road.

Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 frequently report issues with the airbag system, including unexpected deployments and warning lights indicating faults. Complaints often describe the passenger side airbag sensor as faulty, with some reports of the SRS light activating and diagnostic codes pointing to errors in the restraint module. Several incidents involve airbag deployment during low-impact scenarios, such as minor collisions or even when the seat is unoccupied, and there are instances of airbags deploying after unintended acceleration crashes. Mileage at which these issues appear varies, but one report mentions a failure at approximately 54,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with four reported crashes and one injury, highlighting concerns about both premature airbag deployment and potential non-deployment during actual impacts.

Owners of the 2018 Mazda 5 report issues with steering control, particularly during driving at highway speeds or while navigating sharp turns. Complaints frequently mention a sudden loss of steering control, with descriptions of the vehicle veering sharply and the steering wheel not responding as expected. Notably, all complaints involve crashes, with one incident resulting in an injury and another describing a failure of both steering and brakes. These issues are reported at mileage around 35,000. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety implications, as multiple incidents involve complete loss of steering control.