2018 Mazda CX-5 · symptom sheet
Engine leaks oil
- 63owner reports
- 53,000median miles
- $5,130median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
181 of the 350 complaints on this car are about the engine. 63 of those describe oil leak. Only misfire is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 63 reports
Oil leak on other CX-5 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Oil leak reports usually begin with a spot on the driveway. Some owners smell burning oil or see smoke from under the hood when the leak drips onto something hot. Others only find out because they keep adding oil between changes, or a shop spots the leak during an unrelated visit. A share of them mention the repair falling outside the warranty.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
All 3 recalls on the 2018 Mazda CX-5, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
What owners paid
17 of the 63 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,191 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 45,000 and 62,400 miles, from the 32 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Mazda CX-5 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a fluid or oil leak and use the following examples as a guide to determine if it is ...
Some vehicles may exhibit oil leakage or seepage from the mating surface between the engine and the transmission. Upon removing the transmission for inspection, engine oil is found to be seeping/leaking from the blind plug on the rear side of the engine ...
Some vehicles may exhibit oil seepage or oil leak onto the engine front cover, which becomes more apparent with dust adhesion.
Some vehicles may exhibit oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner and rattling noises from the engine compartment.
1 more on the 2018 Mazda CX-5 page.
What owners wrote
“Oil leak from defective head that occurred behind exhaust manifold leaking hot oil onto the hot exhaust causing the potential for fire. Leak started at 44,000 miles. This manufacture defect is not being covered by Mazda or a recall even though the high potential of fire and serious injury.”
Filed Apr 15, 2026 · 44,000 miles
“Had an oil leak suddenly appear on the vehicle with only 55400 miles. Found there are technical service bulletins for this motor that the head cracks causing leaks. It is on many forums. Reached out to Mazda and got zero help”
Filed May 5, 2025 · 55,400 miles
“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.”
Filed Jan 20, 2025 · 46,000 miles
“At approximately 57,000 miles, the cylinder head cracked. It was leaking oil and white smoke was coming out of the engine bay. There were no warning lights. I have since gotten the cylinder head replaced.”
Filed Jan 8, 2025 · 57,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 63 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 130 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 46 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 33 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 30 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 29 reports