2019 MAZDA CX-5 Power Train Problems

The vehicle's cylinder head has developed a structural crack at on the casting, a known manufacturing defect identified by the manufacturer in Service Advisory SA-037/23. This failure is causing pressurized engine oil to leak directly onto the hot exhaust manifold while the vehicle is in operation. The leaking oil is pooling on high-temperature exhaust components, creating a significant risk of fire while driving. The leak generates heavy smoke and noxious burning oil fumes that are entering the passenger cabin through the HVAC system, causing respiratory issues

Oil is leaking from the front timing chain cover and the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The issue was caught early enough before it was an acute safety issue, however this issue can cause smoke while driving and cause the vehicle to lose function while driving, endangering those in and around the vehicle in motion. The vehicle only has 35,000 miles on it, has been confirmed and documented by an independent service center, and this is a widespread well-known issue - the service center has had three vehicles in this week with the same exact issue, and Mazda issued a technical service bulletin detailing the issue and stating the root cause is a lack of sufficient sealant applied during manufacturing. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives - only a service center. There were no warning lamps or messages of the...

On 12/10/25, my 2019 CX5 NA had major oil leak after smelling a burning smell for a few days. Took it into local mechanic and he couldn’t find the leak, did an engine wash and additional testing before identifying a crack in the cylinder head; the leak was coming from the exhaust manifold. There was oil all over the engine and the underbelly of the vehicle; according to the mechanic, I was lucky the car didn’t start on fire with the amount of oil. I was informed that this is a common problem with the turbos and the NAs but the extended warranty only included the turbo engines. Contacted Mazda customer experience and set up an appointment. Vehicle went to the Mazda dealership on 12/15 and it was confirmed that there was a crack in the cylinder head and received an estimate of $11,000 needed for repairs. $7000 of that...

The 2019 CX-5 AWD with the 2.5L NA engine (with Cylinder Deactivation) has an engine oil leak coming from the cylinder head area. The Mazda dealer confirmed the leak source and found burnt oil on the exhaust. The component is available for inspection. The leak location and symptoms are consistent with the known porous/cracked cylinder-head defect documented in this engine family. Full confirmation requires teardown. In early Dec 2025, a burning oil smell began, then thick white smoke came from under the hood while driving and after stopping. This created an immediate fire risk, and rapid oil loss could cause sudden engine failure or stall in traffic. The issue was inspected and confirmed by an independent mechanic, who noted the leak could only be traced after removing the exhaust manifold. The Mazda dealership then inspected it and confirmed the leak source at the cylinder-head area and the burnt oil residue....

What component or system failed: The cylinder head failed due to cracking around the exhaust manifold, resulting in exhaust and coolant leakage. My independent mechanic and the Mazda dealer both confirmed this was the source of the burning smell and engine risk. The failed parts are currently in the possession of the Mazda dealership and available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: The failure created a strong burning rubber smell inside and outside the vehicle while driving. My mechanic advised this type of leak could lead to engine overheating, sudden power loss, or potential fire risk if not caught early. I frequently transport children in the vehicle, and the unexpected engine damage posed a significant safety concern. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed: Yes. The issue was first diagnosed by an independent, certified mechanic and then confirmed by the Mazda dealership, who determined the cylinder head had to be...

Timing chain gasket leak, causing oil to go everywhere and smoking could cause a fire

One of the cylinder heads on the back portion of the motor cracked, leaking oil down into the engine compartment. I didn't realize this was an issue until I got a warning about low oil. I went and got an oil change and within 2 days I had the low oil warning again. I had no other warnings that this was going on. This creates a potentially dangerous situation with people leaking oil onto roads and highways unknowingly. It was inspected by Mazda and confirmed to be the issue. There is currently a TSB from Mazda about it. But my car wasn't included in it. TSB 01-002/23

Just got diagnosed with cracked cylinder head. After looking on social media, it appears this is a thing for the model years 2018 and 2019. Bad casting? Anyway I believe this should be a voluntary recall to correct such a flawed engine. I bought this new from a Mazda dealership and kept it up to date with service only through the dealer. The 60 month/60,000 mile drive train warranty ran out last July. However I only have 50,000 miles on the car...babied.

On [XXX], I was the operator of a 2019 Mazda CX-5 in Los Angeles, California. I parked the vehicle on an incline on or around [XXX] in Los Angeles, California, and then exited the vehicle. The vehicle remained stationary for some time, until it suddenly began rolling backwards at a speed that pushed me to the ground while I was getting my things from the passenger side door, causing me serious injuries. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I have a 2019 Mazda cx 5 with only 67,000 miles on it and the cylinder head is cracked and leaking oil everywhere. I have noticed TSBs released for this issue, but it seems to be a very common issue with most people not being covered for a very major repair. Mazda refuses to fix the issue created by the improper build of this component and may lock people's engines if not caught soon enough

The vehicle starting stalling, check engine light would come on, and the vehicle would slipped into “limp mode” while traveling on the freeway. I was amount in two auto collisions because of the vehicle slowing down in the middle of the highway. The problem started in August 2023 and was towed to the dealer on one occasions and towed to my home on another occasion. The dealer ran a diagnostic and said it was the brand new battery I had installed and then the catalytic converter. After repairing both; the vehicle proceeded to not drive over 30 miles per hour. The dealer said it was the engine and then said it was something else. I’ve expressed that the symptoms are those more aligned to the PCM issue recalled on 2019. A actual diagnostic report from Auto Zone supports this. The vehicle has also been inspected by another Mazda dealer and...

Car failed while on highway driving 60 mph with the engine and power steering turning off instantly. A day prior the dash was blinking warnings. Mazda of Lodi replaced the entire transmission plus other parts. Just made it under warrantee. Would have cost 5k once expired.was told half the fleet of 2019 were recalled but not the second half of production for some reason even though they both experience the same failure.. also had 22,000 miles at end of the. Something smells in Denmark

UNKNOWN. Vehicle stalls and jumps when I step on the gas pedal or try to increase speed.

I had just had my car serviced for 30k services and about 2 months later smoke was coming out of my engine after driving. Took it in and it turned out to be a cracked cylinder head. None of my lights were on indicating there was an issue either. I was told this is a known issue with Mazda and should be a recall but there still isn’t one. TSB#SA-031-21

Cylinder failure low oil pressure and check engine light. Mazda redid cyclinder and still getting the check engine light. Mazda working on issue and having issue resolving problem.

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.

Car will whine and jerk when accelerating. Car suddenly stopped engaging in gear after it was warm. Dealer states it has internal transmission malfunction at 64k miles. Prior to the car breaking down the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic on 12/27/23 and concerns with the whining and jerking when driving were expressed. Dealer reports that the transmission was “operating as designed”.

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

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...

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.

I drove my wife to work and noticed that the car was stuttering and had weak acceleration. I parked in my garage and a couple of hours later returned to see a massive oil leak on my driveway, I had to tow the car to the nearest dealership where a cracked cylinder was diagnosed. There was also a terrible burning smell. If the massive leak happened on an acceleration ramp or on the highway there could have been an accident.

After purchasing this vehicle I started noticing that as I accelerated from a stop the transmission would shift hard into 1st gear and 3rd gear. This is also occurring during deceleration as if the car brakes I'm stages due to the downshifting hard. The dealership has refused to look into the issue. They have refused to add the notes to my vehicle records in effort to avoid accountability.

My 2019 Mazda CX 5 with 25000 miles stopped moving on my way home. It was towed to John Kennedy Mazda in Conshohocken PA on 11/22/2021. It was diagnosed with a failed transmission and still awaiting replacement as of 1/3/22.

Driving on highway, cruise control ser to 82, no cars in front. The car suddenly jolted twice, engine light and battery light comes, lost of power. Pulled over to shoulder in the middle of nowhere in Nevada. Tried to start the car, engine won't turn on, starter just kept cycling. Veh temp was just below 210 with a 1/4 tank of gas. Called dealership and service person asked is to use key to turn on car, no change and provided no other solution other than to take to dealership with the closest one being over 300 miles away. We decided to unhook and rebook the positive side of battery. Car restarted and currently driving it home as I write this complaint. 600 miles overdue for maintenance (by date due on July 26, 2021) and was scheduled upon return from trip which at the time should be approx 1000 miles over...

BROUGHT IT IN NOV 2020 REGARDING SMELLS AND ENGINE ISSUES AS WELL AS ALIGNMENT. NEITHER WERE TAKEN CARE OF. THEN MARCH 2021,ENGINE WAS LEAKING FLUID AND SMOKING, AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 20K. DID NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL UNTIL LATER THAT WEEK. AFTER A MONTH, I GOT MY CAR BACK. AFTER LEAVING THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO SMOKE, BROUGHT IT BACK. GAVE NO RENTAL. DEALER SAID IT WAS LEFT OVER FLUID FROM WHEN THEY REPLACED IT. CAR IS STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE AND SMELLS. UNDER SHIELD FELL OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE.TIRE PRESSURE WAS GOING OFF AND BROUGHT IT IN TWICE FOR THEM TO SAY THEY CANT FIND WHERE THE SLOW LEAK IS OR WHY SO THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE MAZDA INSURANCE FOR TIRES.

IN JULY 2019 (APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AFTER DELIVERY) MY 2019 MAZDA CX-5 BEGAN TO DRIVE ROUGHLY AT SLOW SPEEDS- SPECIFICALLY SPEEDS 15 MPH OR BELOW. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COAST (EVEN DOWNHILL) AND WOULD SEEM TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR (THIS VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD BUCK AND LURCH ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT ENGAGING THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE. THIS WAS HAPPENING GOING UPHILL, DOWNHILL AND ON FLAT GRADE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND AT THEIR REQUEST TOOK AN EMPLOYEE FOR A DRIVE SO THEY COULD FEEL IT. THE EMPLOYEE DID FEEL IT, TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER, WHO THEN TOLD ME THAT, "THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DRIVE LIKE THAT." HE SAID HE DROVE AROUND ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE LOT THAT IS THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR, AND THAT IT PERFORMED THE SAME. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE SAME PERSON WHO WAS...

ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019, AS I WAS APPROACHING MY HOME, I ACTIVATED MY GARAGE DOOR OPENER AND THE GARAGE DOOR OPENED AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED THE CAR, A 2019 MAZDA CX-5, IN THE DRIVEWAY, PLACED IT IN PARK, GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE GARAGE. WHILE IN THE GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 2-3 MINUTES, I TURNED AROUND TO SEE MY 2019 MAZDA CX-5 ACCELERATING TOWARD ME. THE CAR ROLLED UNTIL IT HIT THE WASHING MACHINE AND DRYER. I MANAGED TO AVOID GETTING PINNED BUT NOT BEFORE THE CAR RAN OVER MY FOOT. I MANAGED TO SQUEEZE PAST AND ENTER THE VEHICLE PLACING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PUTTING THE CAR BACK IN PARK.