2019 Mazda CX-5 · symptom sheet

Engine leaks oil

66owner reports
50,000median miles
$5,400median quote
0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 26, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

133 of the 269 complaints on this car are about the engine. 66 of those describe oil leak. Only misfire is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 66 reports

a spot of oil under the car

smoke or a burning smell from the leak

I keep adding oil between changes

the leak was out of warranty

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the oil pan gasket (3 reports) and the rear main seal (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

19V-497Jun 27, 2019

Engine

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

Risk and remedy

Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.

What owners paid

30 of the 66 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,500 to $6,000.

$4,500$5,400$6,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 33,000 and 70,491 miles, from the 37 reports that gave a mileage.

120

221

1123

1324

1925

2026

What owners wrote

“At 30,000 miles car began leaking oil severely and was told that the engine block was cracked and needed to be replaced. There are numerous complaints of this same issue online happening just after the warranty has expired. The cost of repair is $6000.”
Filed Apr 29, 2025 · 30,000 miles

“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.”
Filed Mar 11, 2025

“Engine block cracked, passenger cabin filled with noxious odder. Vehicle was suddenly leaking oil at high rate.”
Filed Jan 8, 2025

“I have 115k miles on my 2019 CX5. Never has any issues. Now all of a sudden I have a cracked cylinder head leaking oil. I was smelling smoke but mot seeing it. I took into dealership they noticed oil dripping thus why smell. Its a $4500-5000 job. I cannot afford this. This should not happen at this kind of mileage. My warranty just expired too. Mazda needs to cover these type of repairs”
Filed Oct 25, 2024 · 115,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 66 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.