2019 Mazda CX-5 problems
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 has 261 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 has 261 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 100 complaints, typically surfacing around 61,290 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 CX-5 | 507 | 5 |
| 2017 CX-5 | 148 | 1 |
| 2018 CX-5 | 115 | 1 |
| 2019 CX-5 (this page) | 261 | 0 |
| 2020 CX-5 | 105 | 0 |
| 2021 CX-5 | 138 | 0 |
| 2022 CX-5 | 62 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Powertrain: 29 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2019 Mazda CX-5? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 100 owner reports · tends to show around 61,290 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 41 owner reports · tends to show around 16,040 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 29 owner reports · tends to show around 9,500 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- visibility — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 35,500 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 9,500 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2019 Mazda CX-5
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Oil coming through cylinder head above exhaust manifold due to being porous, car leaking oil and need to put more oil in every other day. Mazda known issue tsb# sa-031/21
This car has less than 37,000 miles on it it has significant oil leaks from the valve cover gasket, it’s timing cover gasket and now it had been determined it has a cracked cylinder head. This was covered by 3 Service alerts with the cracked cylinder head being SA-031/21. None…
There is a known “ghost touch” issue with this vehicle. I did not realize that until recently but the infotainment screen will randomly activate when at low speeds and/or stopped. This has caused distractions while driving as sometimes it will actually initiate phone calls on…
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 261 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Mazda CX-5 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2019 Mazda CX-5?
The 2019 Mazda CX-5 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 29 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 Mazda CX-5?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 100 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 61,290 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 261 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 61,290 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 Mazda CX-5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 100 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 61,290 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 61,290 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda CX-5 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 Mazda CX-5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 261 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.