2019 Mazda CX-5 · symptom sheet
Engine leaks oil
- 67owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $5,400median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
134 of the 270 complaints on this car are about the engine. 67 of those describe oil leak. Only misfire is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 67 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
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the valve cover gasket (3 reports), 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.
A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
All 2 recalls on the 2019 Mazda CX-5, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
What owners paid
30 of the 67 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,500 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 32,000 and 70,491 miles, from the 38 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 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 2019 Mazda CX-5 page.
What owners wrote
“The engine has an oil leak from the head. It is a common problem with this year and make. It is a manufacturer's defect called a porous head where oil leaks through the casting not a seal. I've already spent $2000 to repair but still leaks. Oil leaks onto the exhaust and smokes causing fumes in the inside of the car and can be a fire hazard. Mazda is well aware of the problem but has yet to address it.”
Filed Jun 15, 2026
“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
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 67 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 103 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 53 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 27 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 26 reports