2018 Mazda CX-5 electrical problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Electrical · NV

The display touch screen has delaminated and ghost clicks on various items while driving. The volume will go up, songs change, various messages will announce, all without touching the screen or any other controls. This is surprises my daughter and is dangerous - she has nearly crashed because of this malfunction. I called Mazda and I was told that it was the subject of a class action lawsuit and that the fix period has expired. I was never notified of this fix period. The company told me to go to the dealership and get it diagnosed and contact their legal firm (just two weeks ago), then ask for an exception. The service writer actually showed me a flow chart of how they are supposed to talk about the issue and told me that they cannot talk about it unless a customer brings it up AND says that it is causing a problem. I called today and the legal number was not accepting calls and Mazda corporate told me there was nothing that they could do. I also have another 2018 Mazda that has the exact same issue so I will submit a separate incident under that VIN number. Mazda is covering this up and this should absolutely be a safety recall. I have a video of the malfunction if you would like it.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Electrical · MI

Touch Screen and/or infotainment center causing ghost touch. Available for inspection. Ghost touch (known Mazda issue) with touch screen has been changing radio stations, increasing volume to max. Will go into user settings and change guidance voice to full volume, increasing bass to full volume, fast forward songs, mute phone call feature, randomly switch from bluetooth to handset of phone. All of this is done without the driver or anyone else in the car touching anything. When this happens there is no easy fix. I cannot just stop the song, mute the volume. We have to wait for it to decide to stop and fix itself. It is a safety issue because You are driving and randomly volume goes to full blast an startles you, cannot hear what is going on around you, and hurts your ears. This is distracting and I have swerved my car because of it. Bluetooth capability is suppose to be handsfree, so if it keeps muting my call or switching to my phone, that is now a safety hazard as well. vehicle was inspected in 2021 by Mazda dealership. At that time they said the only thing they can do it remove the SIM card, and we would lose navigation. However the issue did not stop. It would cost us about $1000+ between labor and parts and inspection to get this fixed. It was addressed again in 2023 and 2025. 2025, when the infotainment system had a class action law suit but ours wouldn't be covered because its the touch screen and not the computer. No warning systems.

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

The radio changes stations by itself, speakers/music goes in and out. The screen freezes and cannot change stations. And also the car lags on taking off sometimes. Often smells like fuel when you turn on the car, Assuming a fuel pump issue, not sure. I spoke to the salesman who sold me the car (adam) within less than 30 days of having the vehicle and told me the electrical issue with radio would be covered. Then when I called to have the issue fixed I was told it wasnt going to fixed on their behalf. This car was sold to me with a few issue that I was not aware at the time of purchase.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

Sometimes, the breaks will not go all the way down to the floor and act like theyre not working. it's very odd and only does it once in a while. i have constant issues with the technology in the car. it changes my music, the buttons get stuck and my it acts up. my aunt has the same model and is running into the same issues. i never received a letter in the mail about the last recall and have had issues where it doesnt seem like my engine is getting the power it once did. this was early on after i got the car. my gas mileage has significally decreased even after oil changes.

Filed Dec 17, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

The cylinder head on my 2018 Mazda CX-5 developed cracks on the exhaust side, leading to significant oil leakage onto the exhaust manifold. This has caused engine damage and safety concerns. The vehicle is currently at a Mazda dealership, where the issue has been inspected and documented. The component is available for further inspection upon request. The oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold creates a serious fire hazard due to the high heat generated in this area. Additionally, the vehicle experienced burning smells and visible smoke coming through the air vents, which could impair visibility or cause distraction while driving. These conditions place the safety of myself, my passengers, and others on the road at risk. The issue has been confirmed by a Mazda dealership. They provided a video showing oil actively dripping from the cracked cylinder head and stated that the engine requires a full replacement. Mazda dealership video: [XXX] This video contains the engine inspection findings conducted at the dealership during my recent visit. It clearly shows the damage and highlights the issues identified. The vehicle has been inspected by the Mazda dealership service team, who identified the cracks in the cylinder head and documented the oil leakage and related engine damage. There were no warning lamps or messages on the dashboard prior to the failure. The symptoms began with a noticeable burning smell inside the cabin, followed by a slight mist coming out of the air vents and smoke from under the hood. Oil leakage was later observed on the ground, and the coolant level appeared empty. I’ve received a video inspection of my vehicle from the service center on March 7, 2024 with no concerns at that time, which you can view here: [XXX] . This link leads to TruVideo, a platform that many dealerships use to share service videos with customers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 9, 2024 · Electrical · CA

My 2018 Mazda CX-5 Touring has been experiencing problems with the multimedia display for over a year now. At random times the multimedia display cycle through all the menu options (radio stations, navigation, maintenance system, etc) on its own. Makes unwanted phone calls, changes radio settings, attempts to reset maintenance reminders and computer settings. We don't know what is it is trying to do behind the scenes. This represents a risk while driving and needs to be a recall to address this issue as it is very distracting while driving.

Filed Sep 2, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MD

While driving through town the braking system malfunctioned and the car came to a stop in the middle of the road with messages on dash saying the smart city braking support was malfunctioning as well as brake assist. Engine light came on as well as traction control light right after the car coming to a sudden hard braking stop. Drove straight to shop to check engine code which was p0882. I am so afraid of this happening on the highway with my daughter in the car. There is a recall for this system but my car isn’t under the recall so I'm sure there are others that are having the issue but aren’t covered under the recall either.

Filed Jul 30, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · FL

The infotainment center glitches and starts clicking things on its own, often changing the volume to all the way loud suddenly orchanging radio station constantly, startling me while I am driving and causing major distraction which can easily lead to an accident. Settings, including safety setting start to get changed on their own while driving as well. The edges of the screen on the infotainment center are also crackling on their own inside the screen somehow, and I am not sure if heat has caused this, and been making this issue worse because it is only ever wiped with a microfiber cloth.

Filed May 30, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · WA

This car that I financed on [XXX] 2024 has been back to the dealership over 6 times. My car loses power on the freeway and all main roads. I push the gas pedal and nothing happens so I am forced to pull over and turn the car off and restart it again. It's very dangerous when I'm merging on the freeway and I cannot accelerate and have to pull over in traffic. Sports cars International in Lynnwood Washington is well aware of the issues I've been having and they have not fixed them. They have allowed me to drive off the lot knowing I am in a car that is dangerous and unsafe, a car that could kill another family or myself. They are unresponsive to call of my phone calls and emails. This car has had nothing but problems since then day I drove it of the lot. Come to find out from their Yelp and BBB reviews thus happens to a lot of people that buy cars from them. They are rude to me and I feel like I'm on danger every time I drive this car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 3, 2024 · Electrical · OH

For the past year my car has been in and out of the Mazda dealership. There is a red key with an explanation point through it that was been coming up once I am in the car and someone else opens a door then it stays flashing the whole time I'm driving. My trunk has been having issues too with not opening like it should and when I'm driving then I go to turn it starts beeping. The dealership keeps telling me they can't replicate the problems and keep giving me the car back. I have only had this car for two years. I love my Mazda but it's sad I have no other options at this point.