2018 Mazda CX-5: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Engine · NJ

My Mazda dealership in Lodi recommended service on a timing cover seal. They could see oil leaking but failed to check if the oil was coming from the timing cover or cylinder head, which is a known issue according to a service bulletin. I left the dealership with a “ticking time bomb” in which my car was still smoking and becoming unsafe to drive. The dealership is unjustly stating that I need to also pay for this service when the initial service never fixed the problem.

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Engine · MA

All of a sudden, my engine started making this ticking noise. I brought it to a mechanic, and he said the noise is coming from inside the engine. He checked for codes and everything, but nothing came up. The only way to look at it is to take the engine apart from what he told me. I started researching for solutions online before doing this and I came across other Mazda CX5 owners complaining of the same thing. I listened to a few of these videos of the sound it makes and sounds just like my car. Apparently, it is a common issue connected with the Hydraulic Lash Adjusters, and I am amazed that Mazda has not reached out to people affected by this. I am not sure what the long-term issue is with this noise, but it can't be good if it's in the engine. Who knows what kind of damage it could cause.

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · Engine · MA

Started 2018 Mazda CX-5 and the engine was extremely loud and a ticking noise was heard. Brought it to my local garage (Charlies Garage) and it was determined that the lifters needed replacement. Garage told me that Mazda issued a Service Alert on November 22, 2019 (Alert # SA-012/19) and did not notify customers of the Valve Tapping or knocking noise from cylinder head. The Garage then told me that Mazda issued a Technical Service Bulletin on April 23, 2020 (Bulletin No. 01-006/20). Again, customers were not notified of the Tapping Noise from Engine Bulletin that was issued. There were no alerts on the dashboard of the car, no warning lights, or other indicators. If Mazda had notified customers, the car would have been fixed UNDER WARRANTY. I do have a video of the noise and if you let me know how to send that, I will.

Filed Feb 14, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

Car has a ticking sound when in idle mode. My mechanic sent me a few videos to reference and a bulletin from Mazda that attributes the clicking to the Hydraulic Lash Adjuster

Filed Jan 31, 2025 · Engine · SC

During cold starts there is a loud ticking sound coming from the top side of the engine. It appears to be one or more HLA.

Filed Jan 7, 2025 · Transmission · KS

Ticking sound coming from engine. Likely related to the hydraulic lash adjusters. Vehicle has had a recent oil change by a technician.

Filed Jun 1, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · WA

Constant ticking sound coming from engine, most apparent while idling but continues even after oil change and engine warm up. Goes away for short periods of time. Always comes back and is very loud. Sometimes engine block shakes and can be felt through the steering wheel.

Filed Feb 23, 2024 · Engine · NY

Hydraulic lift adjuster failure causing loud engine knocking. Vehicle cannot be driven and costs thousands of dollars in repairs. The engine is only at 42,000 miles.

Filed Jan 13, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 1,500 miles · CA

1509 miles on my new mazda cx 5 purchased at marin mazda in san rafael ca. On may 22, 2018 this vehicle keeps having some kind of what feels like a wheel resistance issue. Not sure if it is something happening in the drive train or transmission. Also not sure if it has anything to do with the way the vehicle starts everyday - this car over revs itself when started first thing ticking very loudly, rattling , pinging all kinds of different noises. It is ticking so loudly because it is over revving itself and there is no oil throughout the engine yet. Even after it stops over revving after a few minutes the car continues to have excessive engine noise the service advisor at marin mazda insists that this is normal for mazda's to sound like this & is ok. I don't believe him. This kind of start up everyday is going to cause problems in this engine quickly and premature failure of this cars engine. Mazda dealers are concealing some defect that is causing this car to start like this. This is something that should have been disclosed to the customers before they sell this car. Because it did not sound like this when I test drove it. That is because they take you inside while the car is warmed up so you can't hear it. That is concealing this major issue from the consumer. This is mazda's standards of doing business. Concealing known defects of their vehicles then when a customer brings the vehicle in for repair they tell them it is operating as it was intended to by the manufacture. If this is correct then these things should have been printed on the window sticker on the car not concealed and not mentioned to the customers. This is very deceptive for mazda, it's dealers and representatives to hide and lie about the merchantability condition of this vehicle. Because nobody wants to buy a brand new car that sounds like a rattle trap ghetto sled when it is started everyday.