2019 Mazda CX-5 · symptom sheet
Engine overheats or leaks coolant
- 26owner reports
- 53,500median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
134 of the 270 complaints on this car are about the engine. 26 of those describe overheating.
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Overheating on other CX-5 years
No other CX-5 model year has enough reports of overheating for a sheet of its own. See every CX-5 year.
What this problem usually is
Most owners in this group notice the coolant before they notice the heat: a reservoir that keeps dropping, a sweet smell, or a bright puddle under the front of the car. Across the vehicles on this site, about four in five of these complaints mention coolant, a leak or a puddle, and roughly two in five mention the temperature gauge or overheating.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the head gasket (5 reports) and the thermostat (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
14 of the 26 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $4,800 to $7,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 36,000 and 63,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 19 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.
This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2).
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small ...
Some customers may experience a check engine light ON with DTC P0126:00 (Thermostat stuck open) and one or more of the following symptoms: Engine takes longer to warm up. Engine temperature gauge fluctuates.
SSPD8 - Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00 - WARRANTY EXTENSION For certain 2018-2025MY CX-5, 2019-2023MY Mazda3, 2019-2022MY CX-3, 2018-2021MY Mazda6, 2020-2023MY CX-30 that are equipped with the suspected coolant control valve, the warranty coverage ...
15 more on the 2019 Mazda CX-5 page.
What owners wrote
“The head gasket cover is leaking leading to a great deal of smoke. The car should not be driven per my mechanic due to risk of fire”
Filed Oct 30, 2024
“CX5 Cylinder head cracked at 53,500 miles. Was driving when received engine overheating and pull over immediately warning. The car smelled like maple syrup as it was engine coolant burning. Took it to the dealership and they informed me of the cylinder failure. It is currently awaiting parts and its not under warranty.”
Filed Oct 10, 2024 · 53,500 miles
“Went to drive home from work one night, car had been normal until this event. Car suddenly began to state that it was overheating and throttled my speed down to 20 MPH. I was in the middle of traffic going 40-50 at this time. Turns out there is a VSB regarding a coolant leak that can occur and break. Nothing about how you are suddenly governed to 20 MPH”
Filed Jun 11, 2024
“Vehicle warning system notified operator of engine overheating. Operator took vehicle to repair shop where mechanic identified a cracked cylinder head. Mechanic mentioned no reason crack should have occurred, potential manufacturer defect with forged aluminum casing.”
Filed Jul 21, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 103 reports
- Engine leaks oil 67 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 53 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 27 reports