2018 Mazda CX-5

On XXX, I was driving my 2018 Mazda CX-5 (SKYACTIV-G 2.5 non-turbo with cylinder deactivation, 67,000 miles) on [XXX] in [XXX], on the way to a work conference. Shortly after I got off the highway, smoke suddenly started filling the cabin. I could smell burning oil, and I honestly thought the vehicle was about to burst into flames with me inside it. I did not know what to do, and could barely breathe and see out the windows, i turned the fans on and lowered my windows to try and see out. I was still in traffic trying to find a safe place to stop, and I debated going through red lights just to get off the road. Sitting at a light in a car filling with smoke felt more dangerous than the intersection. No driver should ever have to make that choice. When I pulled over and opened the hood, smoke was pouring from the back of the engine near the firewall, and oil was seen seeping from the back of the engine onto the ground. There was no warning light or other warning before this happened. [XXX] Mazda diagnosed a cracked cylinder head a few hours after I had the vehicle towed from a parking lot next to the highway with leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle has been maintained mostly at Mazda dealers, and this was not wear or neglect. The repair cost was estimated at $5,200. Oil leaking onto a hot exhaust is a fire hazard, and in my case it filled the passenger cabin with smoke while I was driving. Mazda has issued a service alert establishing a replacement cylinder head for this engine, with oil leaks listed as a symptom. Mazda also extended coverage to 10 years or 120,000 miles for cracked cylinder heads on the turbo version of this engine (CSP11). There is no recall or extension for the non-turbo engine, even though this failure creates a smoke and fire risk while driving. I am asking NHTSA to investigate cylinder head cracking on 2018 and newer Mazda vehicles with the SKYACTIV-G 2.5 engine with cylinder deactivation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The display touch screen has delaminated and ghost clicks on various items while driving. The volume will go up, songs change, various messages will announce, all without touching the screen or any other controls. This is surprises my daughter and is dangerous - she has nearly crashed because of this malfunction. I called Mazda and I was told that it was the subject of a class action lawsuit and that the fix period has expired. I was never notified of this fix period. The company told me to go to the dealership and get it diagnosed and contact their legal firm (just two weeks ago), then ask for an exception. The service writer actually showed me a flow chart of how they are supposed to talk about the issue and told me that they cannot talk about it unless a customer brings it up AND says that it is causing a problem. I called today and the legal number was not accepting calls and Mazda corporate told me there was nothing that they could do. I also have another 2018 Mazda that has the exact same issue so I will submit a separate incident under that VIN number. Mazda is covering this up and this should absolutely be a safety recall. I have a video of the malfunction if you would like it.

My Mazda dealership in Lodi recommended service on a timing cover seal. They could see oil leaking but failed to check if the oil was coming from the timing cover or cylinder head, which is a known issue according to a service bulletin. I left the dealership with a “ticking time bomb” in which my car was still smoking and becoming unsafe to drive. The dealership is unjustly stating that I need to also pay for this service when the initial service never fixed the problem.

My 2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring (2.5L non-turbo engine with cylinder deactivation) developed a burning oil smell that steadily worsened over several days. On XXX, at about 61,300 miles, I saw smoke coming from the engine compartment after driving. The engine had not overheated, and the car was regularly maintained. On XXX, an independent repair shop (A&M Auto Repair, [XXX] a large active oil leak. After steam cleaning the engine and removing the exhaust manifold, they found engine oil leaking from a hairline crack in the cylinder head, directly onto the hot exhaust manifold. The engine was also about one quart low on oil. The shop recommended replacing the cylinder head assembly, at a cost of about $5,700 before tax. Oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold is a fire hazard, and the smoke could reduce visibility for other drivers. Many other owners of 2018–2020 CX-5s with this engine have reported the same cracked cylinder head failure. I contacted Mazda Customer Experience (case number XXX) to request assistance. Mazda declined because the repair was diagnosed and performed by an independent shop rather than a Mazda dealer. I'm submitting this complaint so NHTSA can evaluate whether this cylinder head failure is a safety defect that warrants a recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2.5L Skyactive engine - burning smell accompanied by blue smoke from engine compartment. Yes, available for review on request. Unknown source of smoke and burning smell may be a potential complete engine damage risk. Yes, Mazda dealer confirmed leaking engine oil. No watling lamps / lights / telltales on cluster.

Cracked cylinder head- factory defect, causing oil to leak onto exhaust manifold. Smoke fills engine bay and cab through air vents, very high concern of engine bay fire. 2018 Mazda cx5 non turbo 2.5 sky active engine. Mazda knows of this defect and will not proved remedy.

There has been numerous report of the Mazda CX 5 having failure rear differential. I just purchased a 2018 Mazda CX five for my daughter in September 2026 I now am experiencing this issue on the rear diff. The dealer will not cover the repair since it’s as is purchase Mazda should take this as a recall and fix the vehicle for the safety of the consumer.

2018 Mazda CX-5 2.5L NA Engine Cracked cylinder head and blown head gasket with leaking oil onto exhaust manifold resulting in white smoke & burning oil smell. No engine light. Issue confirmed by dealer and independent shop. Commonly reported issue amongst 2018-2021 Mazda CX-5 owners either naturally aspirated engines.