2021 MAZDA CX-5 Engine Problems

71 NHTSA complaints on file

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Engine Issues in the 2021 MAZDA CX-5

71 engine complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 MAZDA CX-5. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 1 resulted in injury.

71
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

All Engine Complaints

#11700495 |
LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on about 1000 miles from last oil changed. Dealer fixed the Mazda recall code: P250F on July 30, 2025. Now is same issue of LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL light on again on November 19, 2025.
#11696729 |
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the Front Brake System Malfunction, Forward Brake Malfunction, and Check Engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking and hesitating as if the wheels would lock up. The steering wheel vibrated while turning to the left or the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was able to retrieve a diagnostic code; however, the DTC number was unknown. The dealer was unable to identify the exact cause of the code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.
#11676813 | Crash
..... ON AT LEAST 5 SEPERATE OCCASIONS OUR 2021 MAZDA CX5 SUV ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (ON IT'S OWN). IT HAS DONE IT TO MY WIFE AND I BOTH. I CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT MAZDA SERVICE CENTERS AND WAS ADVISED THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS AND THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS OR TSB's AND AS INTERMITTENT AS IT IS IT WOULD BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DUPLICATE. ON JULY 18TH THE CAR ACCELERATED (ON ITS OWN) AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT DROVE MY WIFE INTO A TREE AT APROX. 35/40 MPH BREAKING HER RIBS. THE BODY SHOP INFORMED ME THIS MORNING THAT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. MAZDA NEEDS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE ASAP. THIS TIME IT WAS A TREE, THE NEXT TIME IT MAY BE AT A CROSSWALK OR AT AN INTERSECTION. IT'S JUST A MATER OF TIME...
#11653373 |
No codes, dealer unable to duplicate. I have been hearing a lifter tick come and go for months (since February ) with my oil level up to par. The ticking gets louder and then quieter.
#11634704 |
Car engine shut down and slowly came to a full stop on the highway on 1/4/25, putting myself and my daughter of being rear ended at full speed on a highway where the speed limit is 65mph. The steering wheel locked and I was unable to move the car to any shoulder. I put the car in park and pressed the start ignition button to start the car and was able to drive again. An appointment is scheduled for 1/17/25 for diagnostics at a Mazda dealership. There were no warning messages prior to this event.. My battery was replaced 2 weeks prior to this incident.
#11628165 |
Check engine oil light came on after only 2K miles from last oil change. Upon inspection there was practically no oil in my engine!!! I see there is an ongoing issue since 10/21 with 2021 Mazda CX-5 turbo engines. Despite Mazda’s awareness of the problem, they have yet to issue a recall to fix this issue!!!
#11627683 |
Engine developed a major oil leak at 70,000 miles, with multiple seals leaking. This appears to be a known defect with these vehicles and owners should not be bearing the cost for repairs.
#11624523 |
The vehicle is low mileage (11,500 miles) and is burning an excessive amount of oil (up to a quart every 1,000 miles) The dealership is aware of this and just keeps saying to add oil.
#11610442 |
Oil has been leaking multiple times, with warranty repair for a faulty timing cover and gasket. This is now leaking again after being repaired twice already. This most recent time causing error messages regarding oil while driving. Significant burning smell coming from engine area.
#11605820 |
For the third time in 3 years we have had to had the timing cover and gasket replaced due to major oil leakage. This appears to be a very common issue with this car, and even after getting it “fixed” the first time it is leaking again.
#11597650 |
Low engine oil light 3600 miles before next oil change
#11592447 |
Excessive combustible gasoline vapors in engine compartment and in passenger compartment. Engine, available for inspection. Risk of fire/explosion because of high concentration of combustible vapors/gasoline. Yes -- confirmed by dealer (Safford Brown Mazda of Fairfax (Virginia)). No -- Notwithstanding being apprised of the problem Manufacturer has not inspected No warning signs. Manufacturer has acknowledge gasoline leaking into engine oil. Vapors were exacerbated because of a failed oil enging filler cap (probably cracked), and replacement of the same.
#11588667 |
I got this suv in 2023 and I kept up with oil changes and I take it in for a oil change and not even 2 days later the oil light came on so I topped it off and I go in for another oil change not even 2 days later I'm running hot so I take it back to the dealer to find out I have either a cracked head or a blown gasket??!!! There is coolant visible and mazda told me they are aware of this problem but why aren't they doing something about it bc ppl are barely making ends meet and they continue to sell these cars with these engine problems without fixing the issue...
#11587094 |
There is a ticking sound coming from the engine, it seems like there are many issues with faulty hydraulic lash adjusters after a search online.
#11584015 |
Oil light has come on indicating low oil. I have serviced this car through the dealership on schedule since I purchased it new. I don't believe modern cars should "lose oil" at less than 30,000 miles.
#11583091 |
Cylinder head crack. Oil leak.
#11581151 |
Ever since the vehicle was bought brand new. It had oil consumption issues. I always had to top off engine oil every 3 to 4 thousand miles or so.
#11570883 |
I thought this was for a mechanical issue (not a safety issue). Check engine light came on not blinking. Was code p0126 covered in bulletin 01-005/23 - Coolant Control Valve. I'm on the Facebook CX-5 page and I see that many people have had this issue. One person had the same problem twice on the same car. I would like very much to have the correct NHTSA link to report this problem so that others may report it as well. In my case check engine light came on far from home. A local dealer said it would be safe to drive home which I did (about 180 miles). But a problem that occurs many times on a given car model perhaps should be a recall. The only charge was about $75 from the garage who read the code and diagnosed the problem. It was covered under warranty so there was...
#11570461 |
I had driven about 10 miles when the Check Engine light came on when I was far from home. Not blinking. It was not on when I first turned the car on. No symptoms other than check engine light. Got to a garage who got a code p0126 that is covered under TSB 01-005/23 coolant control valve. Called dealer who said it would be safe to drive home 180 miles. I did that. Awaiting appointment tomorrow to get it fixed. I belong to a Mazda Facebook group where lots of others are reporting this same problem - some for a second time!
#11555499 |
Excessive oil leak after 11,000 miles/car purchased new from dealer. There is currently a class action suit regarding this issue. Dealer denies problem, offering to top off oil only.
#11547613 |
I have an oil consumption on my cx-5 turbo. Have to add 1/2-3/4 quart 4k after service interval oil change.
#11545023 |
On 8/7/2023 I noticed that there had been intermittent engine oil level alarms on my phone's Mazda app over the previous several weeks starting on 7/14/2023. In none of the instances did the low oil level light on the instrument cluster light up. I checked the oil level and it was at the bottom of the indicating range on the dipstick. I added 1 quart of oil to bring the level to the top of the indicating range. The oil had last been changed by a Mazda dealer on 10/31/2022 at a vehicle mileage of 13,699. On 8/18/2023 when I took the vehicle in to the Mazda dealer to check this issue the mileage was 20,432, a difference of 6,733 miles. That mileage was well within the owner's manual prescribed service interval mileage. There is no oil on the floor of the garage under where the car is parked leading...
#11539195 |
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated he stopped at a local gas station and purchased a quart of oil and topped off the oil level. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The contact stated that after servicing the vehicle, the dealer informed him that the manufacturer had denied the repair because the check engine light was not illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
#11533808 |
The car is burning oil and has been since brand new, to the extent that I must drive around with spare oil in the back. First time it came on I didn’t believe it to be real.. A new modern vehicles shouldn’t be losing or burning oil. Mazda has released a TSB (01-11/22) regarding this issue but has yet to issue a repair or recall. It infuriates me as I love everything the else about the car but this will affect my Mazdas longevity, including emissions equipment, and Mazda is not standing by the reliability of its product. Makes me lose trust in the manufacturer, and I can’t see myself ever buying a Mazda again so long as Mazda refuses to to Stan by it’s product and disregard their own reliability reputation.
#11528543 |
My car have barely 10k miles and every 3k miles the oil engine light turn on. I thought was a leak but there is no leak or spilled oil anywhere. I find out that lots of 2021 mazda engine have the same issue and that BURN oil for a valve fail that Mazda still didnt recall. To confirm i had a mechanic check for it and they state that engine is burning oil and is not supposed to, expecially because the car barely have 10k miles in almost 3 years driving and that many other customers with same year and vehicle have the same issue .
#11527084 |
Vehicle drives very "rough" at low speeds less than 30 mph. The car feels like it is jumping and can't tell at what year it should be driving in. This is very noticeable when driving around residential areas. This is a common issue with the Mazdas with the Skyactive engines. Dealership in Raleigh knew about this problem and said that there is nothing they can do except possibly provide an update to the computer software. I have written to Mazda corporation regarding this and of course, no response was received. Mazda needs to acknowledge this problem with their special transmission/engines and FIX this. I shouldn't be having these kinds of issues with a vehicle that has less than 13,000 miles
#11524864 |
Just before taking the vehicle for a second oil change at a total of 11,664 miles or approximately 7,000 miles between changes, I noticed that the oil level was at least 1 quart below normal. I added oil to make sure that it was above the add point on the dipstick. I researched and found several other complaints about other 2021 Mazda turbo engines with the same complaint. I'm concerned that this excessive use of oil will damage the internal parts of the engine.
#11522346 |
I was on vacation and returning home when I got a message on my Mazada App that there was an issue detected. It was time for an oil change which I intended doing when I returned home. The message stated that I had Low oil level and to add 1 qt. of engine oil. The "oil" light illuminated on the dashboard and I immediately pulled over and turned the vehicle off for 5 minutes as stated in the owners manual. When I restarted the car the "oil" light was off but I was very fearful of driving the car as I had 6 hours of driving left to get home. I found an instant oil change facility and immediately had the oil changed and refilled to full. I contacted the dealer to record this incident. The car has 25,000 miles on it and I religiously take the vehicle to the...
#11515647 |
The low oil light has come on a total of 3 times already for me and I'm only at 18k miles. I have gotten 4 oil changes already. The 2021 models burn oil like crazy and Mazda has not put out an official recall yet. There's a TSB (01-012/21) and a class action lawsuit (8:22-cv-01055 )
#11514876 |
I have only 20k miles on my car and my engine's oil consumption has suddenly jumped. Despite checking my oil frequently, my oil becomes low and the oil warning light comes on. The oil warning light last came on while I was traveling on a snowy 2 lane canyon road while leaving a ski resort in Utah. I had to immediately stop my car on a busy, icy road to add more oil. I almost got hit by a sliding car and killed. I went to the dealer with this problem and they told me they could not help me unless my oil light was on. Driving with a oil light on in the winter is dangerous. The engine could seize and leave me stranded on the side of the road. The dealership said to run the car low on oil with the oil light on and them come in.
#11510871 |
The engine low oil light comes on every ~3000 miles when Mazda recommends an oil change at every 7,500 miles. For some reason this engine eats oil and has consistently reproduced the check engine light every 3k miles. Mazda hasn't issued an official recall but has published a technical service bulletin.
#11510068 |
Engine burns excess oil and must be topped off before service is due. The dealership acknowledges this is a problem on all 2021 Mazda turbo engines. Mazda has no fix. The first time occurred when I was driving in the country in July 2022 and the check oil light came on. Today, March 3, my check oil light lit up. I am not due for service for another 1800 miles. I have read it is a valve stem problem which causes oil to leak into the engine which can cause the car to stall among other issues such as unnecessary wear and tear. A class action suit has been filed in California (Heinz vs Mazda) November 15, 2022.
#11509129 |
The car is consuming excessive engine oil. Between 3000-4000 miles the low engine oil light comes on. I was on the highway and had to pull over. I was told we don’t need oil change until 5000 miles. Not feeling safe to drive long distance. Dealership acknowledged seal is causing the leaks, but said Mazda won’t cover the cost unless check engine light is on. Also the break pads are moving slightly when breaking, dealership said it’s normal due to break pads are moving back and forth when breaking. However, I can hear the breaks clicking.
#11506283 |
My car is a 2021 CX-5, Turboed AWD vehicle. It keeps consuming oil. I took it to the dealership, Sandy Sansing Mazda in Pensacola, where I purchased the car. The technicians informed me that these models are known to consume oil. They did not tell me that when I bought it in September of 2022! They had a technical service bulletin, which works as a policy for the company, with a range of VIN numbers that indicated the vehicles with those VIN numbers are likely to have a manufacturing defect that allows oil to leak into the combustion chamber. My car's VIN number falls within that range. While I purchased this vehicle to drive long distances, including to see and care for my mother in NC, who was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and to Alaska from FL, my newish (pre-certified) car runs out of oil quickly. It must...
#11501770 |
Low engine oil light appeared despite standard maintenance service and oil change at Mazda dealer the prior month. Service technician confirmed oil was low by 1 and 3/4 quarts and added oil. Mazda dealership advised there is a service bulletin for my vehicle with this problem dating back to 2021, and that the problem is likely due to a faulty valve, but that they have no planned fix available. I am concerned about the long-term damage of engine oil continually leaking into the combustion chamber. Mazda should be asked to fix this for car owners, not simply top off our oil each time that it leaks.
#11500032 |
oil consumption on a 2021 Turbo CX-5. problem has been reproduced and confirmed by dealer. warning lights twice. first time told it was normal. happened twice. only on my third maintenance oil change was it acknowledged. had to do a lot of research on my own. caused enormous stress to existing mental health issues. would not have even been addressed had i not stated the issue.
#11498888 |
Engine is either burning or leaking oil. The low oil light flashed after a 2hr highway trip (traveling to my parent's house for Christmas with my wife), low oil was confirmed the following day via dipstick. Oil was changed at the dealership about 4 months ago, mileage is under 24k miles. Looks to be related to this service bulletin, which still does not appear to have a fix or recall associated with it. Mazda Oil Consumption TSB Turbo Engines Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, TIRES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM NHTSA ID Number: 10202685 Manufacturer Communication Number: 01-012-21-3832 5 Affected Products Vehicles MAKE MODEL YEAR MAZDA CX-30 2021 MAZDA CX-5 2021 MAZDA CX-9 2021 MAZDA MAZDA3 2021 MAZDA MAZDA6 2021 Summary Some vehicles may have a LOW ENGINE OIL LEVEL warning message and a CHECK ENGINE light illuminated in the instrument cluster, along with DTC P250F:00 stored in memory. DTC P250F:00 - Engine...
#11497124 |
When I reached 7000 miles on my car the low oil light came one. I immediately drove it to the dealership - ending a vacation early as I thought something was seriously wrong with the car. I got to dealership and they blamed me for getting an oil change at a competitor and not putting in enough oil. They then changed the oil and again at 12000 the low oil light came on. There seems to be an oil consumption issue that Mazda is NOT admitting to or fixing. Every time I drive more than 4500 miles the car is 1/2 a quart low and it warns me. Now the dealership wants me to spend HUNDREDS of dollars on a vehicle in warranty for oil consumption testing....though there is no leak and no soot in the tail pipe.
#11494067 |
New vehicle at approximately 6,000 miles and again at 9,500 turned on low oil light dashboard. Added one quart oil each time (twice) to restore oil level. Vehicle currently has approximately 10,500 miles. McDonald Mazda West slow to respond to performing warranty service related to TSB 01-012/21. Thank you.
#11494068 |
New vehicle at approximately 5,500 miles turned on low oil light dashboard. Added one quart oil each time to restore oil level. Vehicle currently has approximately 7,000 miles. McDonald Mazda West slow to respond to performing warranty service related to TSB 01-012/21. Thank you.
#11491071 |
At 16,550 miles (5675 miles since the last oil change), my oil pressure light came on. Per owner's manual, I turned the car off & let the oil drain into the pan for 5 minutes. I checked the oil but due to it being so hot it was hard to get an accurate reading. I turned the car back on & the oil light was off. I proceeded to drive into town and 25 miles later the light came on again. I checked the oil & it appeared to be very low. I added a quart of oil and the light went off. I checked the oil level later when the car was cool & the oil level on the dipstick was now halfway between the 2 dots on the dipstick. I drove about 300 miles home from our trip and the light never came back on. I took it...
#11490284 |
Car is consuming oil since new and requiring additional oil to be added before oil changes. There was a TSB created by Mazda a year ago (TSB # 01-012/21) however there is no fix. I am concerned with the potential for damage to other engine systems aside from the reported issue with the valve stem seals resulting in undrivability and premature engine problems due to oil leaking past the valve stem seals.
#11489931 |
Excessive oil consumption. Confirmed by the dealer.
#11489086 |
My car appears to consuming oil excessively. I bought this car new in March of 2021 at I have had to top off my oil between oil changes at almost every single oil change since I have owned it. The car only has 33900 miles on it and usually about two months in from my oil change the check oil light comes on and the dipstick shows the oil at the lower end of the dipstick. I have purchased oil on my own and have had to have the dealer top it off. After topped off it will usually make it fine until my next oil change but a brand new car should not be burning oil like this and I was told they have known about a valve stem defect since September of 2021 but still have not done a recall or have a fix for it.
#11488856 |
I am having 2021 cx5 signature turbo 3400 mile and the engine light can me on upon checking the oil level was to low mark burnt out . I am concern that Mazda have not came up. With a recall yet.
#11488433 |
At approximately 5,612 miles, the low oil pressure light came on. After changing the oil, it happened again at 7,760 miles. Both times the light came on, the oil level was low.
#11488026 |
Car has 13000 miles and is consuming oil
#11485117 |
Detected slight odor of burning oil while highway driving, mileage approximately 8,650. Three days later “low oil level” warning light lit up, mileage 8928. Allowed car to rest and checked oil level manually. Oil level was slightly above the minimum required. No signs of oil on garage floor.
#11483862 |
Low oil light came on 4500 miles after oil change. Engine used nearly 2 quarts of oil quarl in that distance. Engine burning excessive amount of oil. No oil leaks. Burning oil internally. Reported to dealer.
#11482253 |
Engine oil light indicated low oil level at 6000 miles. Dealer states there is a TSB on this issue but no repair process is available.
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