Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Mazda CX-5 - part 2

The contact owns a 2019 Mazda Cx-5. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered an abnormal odor coming from the engine compartment. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a cracked cylinder head and that the cylinder head needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.

See all problems of the 2019 Mazda CX-5 🔎.

The issue began when I started to smell burning oil. As time went on smoke began to slowly come from the hood. I took my car to the Mazda dealership and said that there was a cracked cylinder head in the engine. After doing research online this has been a major issue with the 2018-2020 model.

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Cracked cylinder head. Major oil leak. Oil light came on but then turned off. No other warning light. No engine light came on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis.

The engine cylinder head cracked before the vehicle hit 50,000 miles. This caused oil to leak and burn in the engine compartment, leading to a burning smell coming into the cabin. Once enough oil had been lost, I got a low oil pressure light. I immediately pulled over and noticed white smoke was coming out from under my hood, and the smell of burning oil was quite strong. The problem has been confirmed by my Mazda dealer. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance. Just the dealer. The vehicle is currently at the dealer, and the cylinder head would need to be removed for inspection if requested. The smell of burning oil was the only early symptom, though I did not recognize it at the time.

I had my vehicle looked at and found a cracked cylinder head on #3 and did some research of people having the same issues. I was driving when the vehicle started smoking it turns out the oil coming out of cylinder #3 flows down the driver and passenger side behind the exhaust manifold which can lead to a fire. My car only has a little over 80,000 miles and this should not happen around that low of a mile vehicle. I believe this is an issue that needs attention.

I am submitting this report to document a persistent ticking noise in my 2022 Mazda Cx-5, which appears to be the same issue outlined in Mazda service bulletin 01-002/21 for previous model years. This issue is commonly associated with hydraulic lash adjusters (hlas), which maintain proper valve clearance. The noise occurs most prominently during cold starts and resembles the previously reported hla ticking sound. Owners of earlier Cx-5 models have attributed this issue to air bubbles or insufficient oil supply within the hlas, with cold weather exacerbating the problem due to restricted oil circulation. Despite Mazda's claim that revisions to the engine components have resolved this issue in newer models, my experience suggests it remains unresolved in the 2022 model year. I am concerned about the long-term reliability of these engine components and the potential repair costs if the issue leads to premature wear or failure. While Mazda has not issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) for the 2022 Cx-5, multiple owners have reported similar ticking noises online, indicating that the problem may persist. I have a video recording of the noise but am unable to attach it to this submission. If further investigation is warranted, I would be happy to provide the footage upon request. Additionally, similar reports and video evidence from other owners can be found on online forums, including the Cx-5 subreddit, where searching for “clicking” will yield multiple examples. I urge the NHTSA to review this issue, as it may indicate an unresolved mechanical defect affecting the reliability of the 2022 Mazda Cx-5’s engine. Please advise on any potential investigations or next steps regarding this matter.

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I own a cx5 2018 Mazda with around 31,000 miles on it. Two days ago I experienced a smoke/fume event in my car while driving. The cabin filled with burnt oil fumes and a pungent smell. I happened to be near a Mazda dealership and was able to reach it with windows down and slow driving. The dealership inspected my car and confirmed a large oil leak caused by a cracked cylinder head. I was told this is a known issue with Mazda cx5/cx9 series and that it would be covered under warranty. Today I was informed by the same dealership that my standard powertrain warranty will not cover it, as it is 60,000 miles or 5 years. My car only has 31,000 miles on it, but it’s over the 5 years by little over a year. I am looking at paying around $6,500 out of pocket to fix my vehicle. I asked if there is an extended warranty from Mazda specifically regarding cylinder heads, due to this being a known defect, however the service person said there isn’t for my car. After some online research I did come across an extended powertrain warranty applying to 2019-2020 cx5 models due to the cylinder head cracking issues. I ask that this is being looked into and that the warranty needs to be extended to the 2018 model as well.

The contact owns a 2019 Mazda Cx-5. The contact stated that while driving up on incline at 45 mph, the engine shut off with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to pull the vehicle off to the shoulder of the road. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. The following day the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs and the ignition coil. The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for additional assistance. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer with an abnormal rumbling sound coming from the vehicle. While at the dealer, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was provided an estimate for repairs unrelated to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was a 129,000.

My 2018 Mazda Cx-5 with just over 45,000 miles is showing the dreaded cracked cylinder head symptoms. Coolant is leaking causing a very noticeable burning smell in the cabin and faint smoke emanating from under the hood. My Cx-5 has followed the maintenance schedule at the dealership that the vehicle was purchased. At this point the dealership has not been helpful at all. Mazda must start including 2018 Cx-5s to csp11 (covers 2019 Cx-5s).

The cylinder head on my 2019 Mazda Cx-5 failed prematurely due to a known defect. The vehicle is currently at fred beans Mazda in mechanicsburg, PA, where the issue has been diagnosed and confirmed. The defective component is available for inspection upon request. This failure created a serious safety risk due to an oil leak, which led to smoking from the engine bay and a potential fire hazard. If the oil had ignited, this could have caused severe vehicle damage or injury. Additionally, the failure could lead to a sudden loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership, and Mazda has been contacted regarding assistance. They have acknowledged the issue but have not provided full coverage for the repair. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lights or messages. The only symptom was an oil leak, which led to smoke coming from the engine. This issue appears to be a common problem with this model, and Mazda should take responsibility for addressing it properly before it causes serious harm.

This concerns a 2019 Mazda cx5 with approximately 52,000 miles - the engine of this vehicle is the 2. 5l naturally aspirated version. Driving the vehicle with the hvac system on resulted in a burning oil smell coming through to the cabin. Upon owner inspection, engine oil was seen as coating the underside of the vehicle in various areas. The oil pan drain plug and oil filter were both found to be tight and not leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to a nearby Mazda dealership for inspection on 2/26/2025. On 2/27/2025, Mazda technicians state that the cylinder head on the vehicle engine requires replacement. Replacement is quoted to be in excess of $5000. Reviewing the issue online shows numerous similar cases of engine cylinder head failure. This vehicle comes equipped with cylinder deactivation which seems to have a higher rate of failure regarding cylinder heads and a potential design flaw with cylinder heads manufactured in a time frame of 2018-2020. Leaking oil could potentially start a fire as the oil drips onto the exhaust manifold when the car is at operating temperature.

The cylinder head in the engine cracked while I was driving. The vehicle was leaking oil profusely and was down a quart after the oil had been changed the week prior. There were no warning lights or indication and I had just had the vehicle in the dealership the week before. I'm a disabled driver that requires hand controls so if I needed to exit the vehicle and move away from it it would not be possible. It's been at the dealership since 2/24/25. I have found numerous other people that have experienced the same issue online.

I noticed a burning smell coming from engine. I took it to a Mazda dealership where they found a cracked cylinder head that needed complete replacing. There was no warning light or other symptoms before I noticed the smell. Vehicle has only been inspected by the dealership. Vehicle is out of warranty but only has 37000 miles on it.

Valve cover develops crack causing significant loss of oil resulting in seizing of engine with the potential of serious accident and potential loss of life.

While driving the vehicle, I started smelling a burning smell about 10 days ago (2/17). I also felt a slightly reduced engine performance and could see the car emitting smoke from the engine bay. I had no warning lights on my dash. For all I know, the engine could've blown while I was driving on the road. Upon taking the vehicle to the dealership 2 days ago (2/25), they informed that my car has a cracked cylinder head, and there was no apparent reason why this would happen. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealership thus far and I was quoted $5,700 to fix the issue. Upon looking up the problem, I see this is a common issue, with many having experienced it before, but no tsbs issued for this. There is a csp issued for vehicles of the same year, but limited to the turbo version on the engine. Unfortunately, I do not have any warranty on the car currently.

Car has a ticking sound when in idle mode. My mechanic sent me a few videos to reference and a bulletin from Mazda that attributes the clicking to the hydraulic lash adjuster.

Forward braking safety sensor was on transmission after braking check engine light . Was driving car from work it lost all power . And those warning ?? light indicators where on . Car wouldn't go over 15mph . Took vehicle to Mazda and dropped it off as my husband requested information do so . Mazda called say diagnostic saying it needed plugs ,coil packs serpentine belt and adjuster pulleys replacement. I called my husband he's a mechanical engineer he said no way it needs a tune up that early. He requested information go get the car as he flew home from working outta town. We took it to scooter's place certified mechanic in indian head MD . Scooter's place diagnostic scan said completely the opposite. Say it was the cars brain aka cpu send false signals causing misfire to all components of vehicle . He change one spark plug and car ran normal. He told us it wasn't a fix it was cpu and no matter tune up or not . The computer was the issue. I went back to passport Mazda in suitland maryland to give them second opinion issues the gm wouldn't give my money back for false diagnostic readings and refused to listen or hear what I had to say I was to upset to continue and decided to leave . He kept saying he wasn't a technician so he doesn't know but was explaining technician issues that were incorrect I have both diagnostic detail paperwork which I will attach with report.

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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.

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There is a cracked cylinder head cover and the oil leaks from the crack onto the manifold causing smoke and burning smell. I have read several examples on Mazda forums [xxx] ; [xxx] ) of this happening with the Mazda Cx-5. A former Mazda mechanic posted he would see a couple vehicles a week at his dealership that experienced this problem. The odor of the burning oil onto the manifold is overpowering when sitting in the car. Some people with the same problem have posted they actually had small fires / burning under the car. In may, 2021, Mazda issued a technical service bulletin TSB # sa-031-21 with a cylinder head redesign for 2018/2019 cx5 models. This is telling of their awareness of the problem. There were no dashboard warnings to indicate the problem - just the burning smell from oil and oil stains in the driveway which caused me to bring the car in. There is substantial evidence that this is a common problem with these model years and it is not related to the mileage of the vehicle - mine has only 37k miles on it. It should be noted that the cylinder head is aluminum and only 2mm thick vs 5-7mm on most vehicles. Mazda should be held accountable and issue a recall and/or extended warranty to address this problem. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

We were driving and noticed some white smoke when we parked, so we took it to a mechanic and he diagnosed: “found that only when engine gets up to operating temp that it begins to leak through hairline cracks in cylinder head. Oil leak is severe and recommend not driving and bringing to dealer for possible warranty verification. ” he told us the issue is specifically on the driver side where there are hairline cracks on the backside, left quarter of the cylinder head.

Replacement of cracked head cylinder diagnosis completed by Mazda dealer fred beans in willow grove pennsylvania Mazda is claiming they cannot cover the repair cost due to carfax not reporting all my maintenance services. After speaking to Mazda customer service they confirmed that it is illegal to use carfax as documented proof. I provided proof of the maintenance aka oil change that was not eeported directly through carfax and have not heard anyrhing back. My car is under 60,000 miles and I have maintain my car and this should not be my fault this should not be my fault. Please help if possible I dont know who else to go to.

During cold starts there is a loud ticking sound coming from the top side of the engine. It appears to be one or more hla.

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [xxx] , and I am the owner of a 2019 Mazda Cx-5 purchased as part of the certified pre-owned (cpo) program. I am writing to formally address two concerning issues related to my vehicle’s warranty coverage and its safety. 1. Warranty coverage for drive belt tensioner: during a recent visit to your dealership, I was informed that the drive belt tensioner on my vehicle is not covered under the warranty. This contradicts the coverage listed on your official Mazda cpo warranty, which specifies that the limited powertrain warranty includes the engine, timing chain, tensioner, and associated components. The drive belt tensioner is clearly referenced in this section, yet I was told it falls under wear and tear and is not covered. I kindly request a detailed explanation regarding this discrepancy. I believe the information I was given does not align with the warranty’s stated coverage, and I am concerned that the dealership is not honoring the terms of the warranty as outlined on your website. 2. Ongoing noise issue: additionally, my vehicle has been making an unusual noise, which I reported during my visits to two separate Mazda dealerships. Unfortunately, despite multiple attempts to diagnose the issue, neither dealership has been able to identify the source of the noise. This situation has left me feeling unsafe while operating the vehicle, as I am unsure of its origin or potential impact on my vehicle’s performance or safety. I would appreciate it if you could escalate this matter and offer assistance in determining the cause of the noise, as well as ensure that all components of the vehicle are functioning properly. The lack of resolution is not only inconvenient but also concerning from a safety perspective. Request for resolution: I trust that Mazda values its customers and will make every effort to resolve these issues in a timely manner. I respectfully request that the drive belt tensioner be covered und information redacted pursuant to the freedom of informa.

Oil started leaking while car was idling causing smoke to enter the cabin as well as all under the hood. Car was undriveable at this point. She was lucky there was no traffic. Car had to be towed and cylinder head was cracked. Mazda has a known faulty cylinder head problem they have refused to fix and this caused a safety issue. Vehicle will not be able to be inspected as we had it towed to get fixed immediately. The service center did confirm this is the issue and there were no prior issues before this.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - engine cylinder head was broken and caused oil leakage how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? oil leakage resulted in a smoky smell while driving and could have led to cars on the road or my own car could have skid leading to a fatal accident has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? yes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? dealer has inspected. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear - no warning lamps but there was a smoky smell while driving & visible oil leak under the front hood.

Defective engine. Cracked cylinder head. Engine oil leaked overnight because of known Mazda 2. 5 liter skyactive engine defect.

Engine light came on. Immediately brought to dealer. Always serviced at dealership. One previous occurance of illuminated light reading major engine malfunction. Pulled car to side of road, called dealership who advised turn off and back on. Didn't tell me about all the problems that Mazda was aware of. Now I'm told my new car with 22k miles has a blown engine. No notification from Mazda about a known problem. Asked when buying the car if there were any major problems with this car. Mazda apparently lies.

See all problems of the 2023 Mazda CX-5 🔎.

I own a 2019 Mazda cx 5 and it has 78,000 miles. I noticed smoke coming from the engine and a lot of oil leaking on the ground. I brought the car into my independent service center and they confirmed that there was a crack in the engine cylinder head. There is a tsa # sa-031-21 on this problem. I feel that my safety was at risk, since the engine could have seized while driving. This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. No warning lamps or messages were displayed, however there was a strong odor of burning oil. This problem occurred on 1/9/25 and it has been in the service center since.

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.

The low oil warning light comes on between oil changes. I think this is the 3-4th time. I will have to add 1 quart of oil to the car after 3000-4000 miles. I only have about 33,000 miles on this vehichle and do the oil changes myself. I checked for leaks at the oil filter and oil drain plug. No indication of oil leaking or I would see it on the floor of my garage. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? engine using excessive amounts of oil. It could be available for inspection how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I plan to take it into the dealer for next oil change and report it. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? no were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? the low oil warning comes on.

Cylinder head cracked at 46,000 miles causing smoke and oil leakage. This was the root of an almost $6,000 repair, leaving me without a vehicle for 15 days. This issue could also lead to more extensive engine problems in the future.

Cracked cylinder head.

My 2019 Mazda Cx-5 suddenly developed a major oil leak within the last 7 days. My car has only 44,350 miles and I have had all scheduled and required maintenance completed timely, including oil/filter changes, coolant level checking and maintenance, etc. I took the car to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the problem as a cracked cylinder head. I then took the car to a local Mazda dealer who confirmed the diagnosis and informed me that there would be no warranty coverage as my 60,000 mile/60 month powertrain warranty had expired 60 days earlier. Some two years earlier my car's check engine light came on and overheated. I took it to the same local dealer, who replaced the coolant control valve & related components. In November 2024 I received a "warranty extension program" letter from Mazda about the same fail-safe thermostat problem. I believe this is relevant and related to the cracked cylinder head since almost all instances of a cracked cylinder head are due to engine overheating. This issue put me at risk as I was close to driving the car with no oil and oil leaking heavily onto very hot engine components that could have resulted in a fire. I am now facing repairs to this car between $4,800 and $6,000 and given the faulty/defective cylinder head from Mazda, I could face this safety issue again, as it will be replaced with a similar cylinder head from Mazda!.

As I was driving, a burning smell emanated from the car. There were no check engine lights on. When I pulled over, I saw a lot of smoke coming from the engine. I checked the oil level and it was above the minimum line bit just barely, even though my husband had just done an oil change on it. I refilled the oil and continued on my trip. The problem repeated for several dqays until I got home and took it to the Mazda dealership. They reported the following: "cylinder head assembly: oil leaking out of back of head, recommend replacing cylinder head and related gaskets. The cylinder head sits above the cylinders on top of the cylinder block. It closes in the top of the cylinder, forming the combustion chamber. This joint is sealed by a head gasket. In most engines, the head also provides space for the passages that feed air and fuel to the cylinder, and that allow the exhaust to escape. " this service is $5600! my car only has 80k miles on it. This is a safety issue because there was no warning. No check engine light appeared and there was no warning.

I was driving on a city street and slowed to turn right onto a driveway at at a private residence. As my car entered the driveway and near the end of the right turn, my car had a sudden unintended uncontrolled acceleration, continued the turn, went over a low hedge of shrubs on the right side of the driveway, continued down a short rocky incline, and landed on a large rock where the car stopped.

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