2020 Mazda CX-5 Engine Problems

Cylinder Head has failed at 53,000 miles. Mazda has a technical service bulletin acknowledging that this is a common occurrence with this part. They have an extended warranty for the turbo engine but not for the standard engine. Looking through online forums, there are hundreds of not thousands of these issues for this model year and engine. Mazda has clearly acknowledged there is an issue and should repair these manufacturing defects that are not normal wear and tear items.

NHTSA ID

11745274

Incident

May 22, 2026

The car has signs of current recall in other Cx-5 Models. Hesitation with acceleration or driving at high speed, reduced power, not responding appropriately when accelerating or would accelerate on its own, strong smell of gas after the car has been driven and is parked. I know there is currently a recall for a gas pump failure. There is no engine light on.

NHTSA ID

11730088

Incident

Feb 25, 2023

The Smart Brake Support system malfunctioned while driving. The vehicle began shaking and lost power, requiring excessive throttle to move. The car hesitates and may not accelerate normally, creating a dangerous situation in traffic. Warning lights appeared on the dashboard and the vehicle became unsafe to operate. The issue occurred shortly after purchase and was reproduced multiple times. The dealer inspected the vehicle but refused to provide a written diagnosis or repair timeline. The vehicle is unreliable and poses a risk of sudden loss of control or rear-end collision.

NHTSA ID

11720015

Incident

Feb 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the cruise control was activated and driving 65 MPH in the middle lane of a busy six-lane highway, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle was suddenly stalled and coasted to a complete stop in the middle of the highway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure and was unable to confirm that the failure had occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11689633

Incident

Sep 20, 2025

Mileage

32,000 mi

I noticed an oil leak. I had it diagnosed and its a crack in the cylinder head, right above the exhaust manifold. This is known issue for Mazda's online. There is oil spilling everywhere. The oil burns off as it is driving. Smoke fills my car.

NHTSA ID

11677045

Incident

Jul 24, 2025

Engine developed multiple oil leaks from oil seal and timing cover. The leaks could result in engine failure and endanger driver and/or passengers. No warning lights activated, was found at routine oil change. Defect was reported to manufacturer, but warranty had expired, and they refused accept responsibility. Research revealed this vehicle is known to have this defect.

NHTSA ID

11674729

Incident

Jun 23, 2025

Car “died” while idling at a traffic light. It started but would not start several hours later and car was towed to mechanic. Diagnostics “determined “after several days that car needed an ECM. ECM was ordered and replaced, along with the battery. This took several weeks, in the meantime, I had to rent a vehicle. Vehicle picked up on May 29th and driven 250 miles and car sputtered, hesitated, slowing down in heavy traffic at high speeds on highway, putting other drivers and myself in a very unsafe situation. Several days later this happened again while traveling back home, again, at highway speed putting other drivers and myself in high risk situation. (This happened several times during both trips.) As I was focused on the road, I did not see if any messages were displayed. After returning home, the mechanic was informed via voice mail and again via telephone. The following morning (June 2), the car sputtered, hesitated to accelerate at low speeds and died while driving to repair shop (battery indicator illuminated as I was pulling over). Car has been towed again to repair shop.

NHTSA ID

11664532

Incident

May 29, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11642604

Incident

Feb 13, 2025

Low oil light came on at 52,764 miles, 300 miles before the next oil change on the manufacturer-recommended 7500 mile schedule. I've switched to a 5000 mile oil change schedule and will be monitoring oil level going forward for excessive oil consumption. I have always done oil changes every 7500 miles and have followed all other maintenance prescribed in the manual.

NHTSA ID

11619876

Incident

Aug 26, 2024

Low oil level indicator came on at roughly 55,000 miles only about 3000 miles after last oil change. Car was immediately stopped and towed to the nearest Mazda dealer. Dealership confirmed oil level was low. Car appears to me consuming excess oil. Oil consumption test pending.

NHTSA ID

11574372

Incident

Feb 26, 2024

The engine of this vehicle has been leaking from different areas consistently. The first leak was the timing cover gasket not properly sealing from manufacture. The dealership covered this under warranty without push back. I then identified a weep from the oil pan gasket during a normal oil change interval. This gasket leak was again from manufacture. I had watched this leak and it seemed to be getting worse over changes and evolved beyond a weep. I also found oil leaking onto one of the spark plugs when changed around 56K miles. I brought it to the dealership and received much push back, conducted oil consumption test for a visible leak, and then placed dye in the oil. It was identified as the oil pan gasket leaking. After much hesitation I eventually was able to get this "repaired" by the dealership at 57K miles. We are now nearly crossing 65K miles and a new leak has presented, enough to cause the low oil light to illuminate and pooling of oil on the access cover. I have yet to identify the source but I am again bringing this to the dealer. Safety concern is that my wife and toddler were an hour away from home on the side of the highway when this light illuminated and had to stop on the side of the road in the cold weather and turn the car off. They could be pulled over in unsafe areas or even be stranded in the cold - or risk seizing the engine to stay warm.

NHTSA ID

11509979

Incident

Feb 26, 2023

Faulty engine coolant thermostat causing cooler than normal range engine. Engine light code P0126

NHTSA ID

11506306

Incident

Jan 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the brake pedal was depressed stopped at a light, he noticed that the vehicle moved forward and the RPM was fluctuating from 600-1,000. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was duplicated; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

NHTSA ID

11487862

Incident

Oct 1, 2022

Mileage

9,000 mi

For some reason this vehicle will make a whoop sound after driving it for a little then idle, either at a stop light or sitting in a parking lot. The first time we heard it we thought that there was a police vehicle in the area. We took it to Mazda dealership, and they didn't what why it was making that sound. The vehicle has less than 25K miles. We are not sure if it could be a big safety issue or not but would like Mazda to look into this. There are no warning lights or signs to know when it's coming. The Mazda dealership in our area has no clue and it is annoying hearing this whoop sound.

NHTSA ID

11469991

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

At mileage of 24,993 and on April 24, 2022 my oil light came on, creating a very unsafe situation for myself and my young son, nearly stranding us on a very isolated road after dark. My vehicle has regular maintenance at the dealer and was not due for an oil change until 25,378 miles or June 13, 2022. About 30 miles prior to the engine oil light coming on, my car indicated that an Oil Change was due (prematurely). I added oil to be able to drive it to the dealer who has not verified any issues.

NHTSA ID

11466201

Incident

Apr 24, 2022

Currently own a 2020 Mazda CX 5 Touring, after coming from work I parked in my driveway and proceeded to turn off the car. When i was walking away i could hear the engine still Running. I went back and turned on the car and turned it back off, again i could still hear the engine still running. I went back and got inside and took the car for a 5 minute drive, then came back to my drive way and placed the car on park and then proceeded to turn off the car. I got out and went to the front of the vehicle to see if the engine was running, this time the engine did turn off.

NHTSA ID

11435505

Incident

Oct 4, 2021

I HAVE BEEN WARNED BY OTHER DRIVERS AT NIGHT THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE OUT. MY CLOCK AND RADIO BOTH ARE MALFUNCTIONING. I JUST TOOK THE CAR FOR THE YEARLY INSPECTION AND THERE IS A MAJOR OIL LEAK FROM A GASKET. THE CAR ONLY HAS 16,000 MILES ON IT!

NHTSA ID

11399640

Incident

Mar 6, 2021

MASSIVE OIL LEAK NEAR THE ENGINE AND THE CYLINDER HEAD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT IS DEFECTIVE. THIS IS A 2020 VEHICLE. THE GASKET KIT AND THE ENGINE ARE ON BACKORDER SO MY CAR IS AT THE SHOP FOR AN UNDETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME ON THE ORDER OF POTENTIALLY SEVERAL MONTHS!

NHTSA ID

11397924

Incident

Feb 14, 2021

Mileage

9,000 mi