2019 Mazda CX-5: excessive oil consumption

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Engine · CA

This is a follow-up to my complaint 11754947, filed 8/5/2026 on the same vehicle. The defect has now been confirmed in writing by an authorized Mazda dealer. On 8/6/2026, San Francisco Mazda (repair order 1085786) diagnosed the cylinder head as the source of the engine oil leak on my 2019 CX-5 with the 2.5L naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine with cylinder deactivation, engine code PYUD. The dealer inspection report states: "CYLINDER HEAD LEAKING — FOUND THE CYLINDER TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE OIL LEAK." The repair estimate is $10,655.34, including a replacement cylinder head assembly, cylinder head bolts, and four gasket kits. Mileage at diagnosis was 51,483, approximately 7,000 miles per year, dealer-maintained since new. The technician inspection video shows engine oil actively dripping onto components below, and extensive burnt oil residue baked onto the metal surfaces above the engine. That residue is physical confirmation that leaking oil has been contacting hot surfaces repeatedly over an extended period. Still images from the dealer's own inspection video are attached. A burning oil odor is detectable both outside the vehicle and inside the cabin. Timeline. In April 2026 I found oil accumulating beneath the vehicle. On 5/18/2026 the same dealer (repair order 1079428) noted oil leaking from the cylinder head gasket area and from a plug near the firewall. The dealership replaced the valve cover, charged $1,218.26, and instructed me to drive 1,000 miles and return for reinspection. I drove 1,077 miles as instructed. During that period the leak persisted and progressed, developing the burning odor. On 8/6/2026 the same dealership confirmed the cylinder head as the source and confirmed the plug is not the source. I want to emphasize the safety implication of that sequence. An authorized Mazda dealer misidentified the source of an oil leak and instructed me to continue driving the vehicle for 1,000 miles. The oil was in fact reaching hot exhaust components duri

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2019 Mazda CX-5 with the 2.5L naturally aspirated SkyActiv-G engine with cylinder deactivation has developed a significant engine oil leak at the front of the engine, accompanied by a strong burning oil odor detectable both outside and inside the cabin. Mileage is approximately 50,000, averaging about 7,000 miles per year with all maintenance performed on schedule. The burning odor indicates engine oil is contacting hot exhaust components, creating a fire hazard. I have stopped driving the vehicle. I have taken the vehicle to two authorized Mazda dealers for this identical issue. One was unable to locate the source of the leak. The other quoted approximately $10,000 without providing a written diagnosis identifying the failed component. The vehicle is scheduled for a third dealer diagnosis on August 6, 2026. More than two weeks of dealer possession across two visits produced no identified cause. Mazda has acknowledged cylinder head cracking in this engine family. CSP11 extends powertrain warranty coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles for cylinder head repairs on the 2.5T turbo engine, and TSB 01-002/23 addresses cylinder head leaks. Mazda also revised the cylinder head casting for the 2021 model year. However, owners of naturally aspirated 2.5L vehicles with the same casting failure have been denied coverage on the grounds that the leak involves oil rather than coolant, or that their VIN falls outside the covered range. I request that the federal safety agency investigate cylinder head cracking in naturally aspirated 2.5L SkyActiv-G engines in 2018–2020 Mazda CX-5 vehicles. Numerous complaints describe the same pattern: oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold, burning odor and smoke, fumes entering the cabin, and failures at low mileage. This presents a risk of engine compartment fire and of sudden stalling from loss of oil pressure. The affected population appears substantially larger than the vehicles currently covered.

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Engine · NE

The cylinder head has cracked and is leaking externally. The engine oil that is leaking out is leaking directly onto the hot exhaust manifold. This can place us as risk due to the engine oil getting ignited by the hot exhaust manifold. There were no warning lamps that came on but there was a smell of burning oil that all of a sudden came up through the vents. This vehicle is currently at Woodhouse Mazda in Bellevue, NE and they have confirmed that the leak is active and has damaged the engine beyond repair.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Engine · WA

I own a 2019 Mazda CX-5 with approximately 36,000 miles. The vehicle developed a strong burning oil smell while driving, particularly through the HVAC/vent system. I initially reported the odor to a Mazda dealership, but no issue was identified. Approximately two months later, the smell returned and worsened. The vehicle was later diagnosed by a Mazda dealership with an oil leak originating from the cylinder head near the exhaust manifold. According to the repair documentation, oil was accumulating on the exhaust due to seepage from the cylinder head. The repair required full cylinder head replacement. This created significant safety concerns because leaking oil was contacting hot engine/exhaust components while the vehicle was being operated. Burning fumes entered the passenger cabin through the vents while driving. I was concerned about the risk of fire, smoke inhalation, sudden oil loss, and possible engine failure while on the road. There were no warning lights prior to the failure. The primary symptom was the persistent burning smell. The dealership replaced the cylinder head. The original repair estimate was approximately $6,000. Mazda later provided partial goodwill assistance, but I was still required to pay approximately $2,500 out of pocket. After researching this issue further, I found numerous similar the federal safety agency complaints involving 2019 Mazda CX-5 vehicles experiencing cylinder head leaks/cracking near the exhaust manifold, burning smells, smoke or fumes entering the cabin, and major engine repairs at relatively low mileage. Mazda has acknowledged similar cylinder head concerns in CSP11 and TSB 01-002/23 for certain VIN ranges but denied coverage for my vehicle because the leak involved oil rather than coolant and because my VIN was outside the covered range. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this represents a broader cylinder head defect affecting additional 2019 Mazda CX-5 vehicles outside the currently covered VIN range.

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · OH

2019 Mazda CX5 has a cracked cylinder head. This is causing oil to leak out. The oil is leaking out onto the exhaust manifold which is causing the manifold to smoke and has the possibility to catch fire. Mazda is aware of this issue and issued CSP 11( customer service program). This does not cover the oil leak, only coolant leak. Several Class Action Lawsuits have been filed. Local Mazda dealership has inspected the car and confirmed the issue. The issue occurred suddenly with no warning. Again, Mazda is aware of this issue but has failed to issue a recall or service program to fix it, this is a dangerous issue as it can lead to a fire with the oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold.

Filed Feb 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NY

The vehicle's cylinder head has developed a structural crack at on the casting, a known manufacturing defect identified by the manufacturer in Service Advisory SA-037/23. This failure is causing pressurized engine oil to leak directly onto the hot exhaust manifold while the vehicle is in operation. The leaking oil is pooling on high-temperature exhaust components, creating a significant risk of fire while driving. The leak generates heavy smoke and noxious burning oil fumes that are entering the passenger cabin through the HVAC system, causing respiratory issues

Filed Dec 19, 2025 · Engine · NJ

1. What component failed, and is it available for inspection? Component: The Engine Cylinder Head. The Failure: The cylinder head failed due to a structural crack caused by overtightened bolts (manufacturing defect), resulting in an engine oil leak. Confirmation: The defect is confirmed and resolved. Wayne Mazda (NJ) acknowledged the failure and replaced the cylinder head under the CPO Warranty last month. The issue has not returned since the replacement, proving this was indeed a hardware defect. 2. How was your safety put at risk? Fire Hazard: Before the repair, for a duration of one year, the vehicle leaked engine oil onto the hot exhaust manifold, creating a persistent fire risk. Toxic Exposure: My family and I were forced to inhale burning oil fumes inside the cabin for months due to the dealer's delayed diagnosis. This posed a significant health hazard. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed? Yes. The defect was initially identified by independent service centers (when the dealer failed to find it) and was ultimately verified and repaired by Wayne Mazda. The fact that the dealer performed the repair under warranty is an admission of the manufacturing defect. 4. Financial Damages & Request for Reimbursement: Since Mazda has admitted liability by fixing the vehicle, I request reimbursement for the losses incurred due to the delay in diagnosis: $2,000+ in Independent Repairs: Because Wayne Mazda initially failed to diagnose this warrantable defect, I was forced to pay independent shops to diagnose and attempt to fix the oil leak to keep the vehicle safe. These costs were a direct result of the dealer's inability to identify the manufacturing defect. $159.29 in Uber Fees: Mazda failed to provide a loaner vehicle during the major powertrain repair, forcing me to pay for my own transportation. Conclusion: I am filing this report to: Document this safety defect (Overtightened Cylinder Head Bolt / Oil Leak) for the federal safety agency records, as it poses a fire

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · IL

On 12/10/25, my 2019 CX5 NA had major oil leak after smelling a burning smell for a few days. Took it into local mechanic and he couldn’t find the leak, did an engine wash and additional testing before identifying a crack in the cylinder head; the leak was coming from the exhaust manifold. There was oil all over the engine and the underbelly of the vehicle; according to the mechanic, I was lucky the car didn’t start on fire with the amount of oil. I was informed that this is a common problem with the turbos and the NAs but the extended warranty only included the turbo engines. Contacted Mazda customer experience and set up an appointment. Vehicle went to the Mazda dealership on 12/15 and it was confirmed that there was a crack in the cylinder head and received an estimate of $11,000 needed for repairs. $7000 of that was for a new cylinder head. This was after an independent mechanic inspected my vehicle and stated everything looked good besides the main issue and needing new rear breaks in the next few months. 12/15-contacted Mazda customer experience and and case file was opened. 12/16-contacted customer experience back due to not receiving a call and received the name and extension of the assigned case manager. 12/17- still had not received a call back and left voicemail for case manager. Requested a call back to myself and the dealership; received a call back a few hours later and I was never asked what happened but was informed that Mazda corporate could not help me due to the warranty being expired. I am now required to pay over $250 to the dealership for an inspection of the vehicle I never requested. There were initially no warning signs but then the low oil light came on after 3 days of smelling something burning.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

The 2019 CX-5 AWD with the 2.5L NA engine (with Cylinder Deactivation) has an engine oil leak coming from the cylinder head area. The Mazda dealer confirmed the leak source and found burnt oil on the exhaust. The component is available for inspection. The leak location and symptoms are consistent with the known porous/cracked cylinder-head defect documented in this engine family. Full confirmation requires teardown. In early Dec 2025, a burning oil smell began, then thick white smoke came from under the hood while driving and after stopping. This created an immediate fire risk, and rapid oil loss could cause sudden engine failure or stall in traffic. The issue was inspected and confirmed by an independent mechanic, who noted the leak could only be traced after removing the exhaust manifold. The Mazda dealership then inspected it and confirmed the leak source at the cylinder-head area and the burnt oil residue. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by both the independent mechanic and the Mazda dealer. No warning lights or messages appeared prior to the smoke. Mazda has an extended warranty program for the same cylinder-head defect on the Turbo engine, but no equivalent coverage exists for the NA engine, despite the identical safety risks.

Filed Oct 25, 2025 · Transmission · TX

Timing chain gasket leak, causing oil to go everywhere and smoking could cause a fire

Filed May 9, 2025 · Transmission · MI

One of the cylinder heads on the back portion of the motor cracked, leaking oil down into the engine compartment. I didn't realize this was an issue until I got a warning about low oil. I went and got an oil change and within 2 days I had the low oil warning again. I had no other warnings that this was going on. This creates a potentially dangerous situation with people leaking oil onto roads and highways unknowingly. It was inspected by Mazda and confirmed to be the issue. There is currently a TSB from Mazda about it. But my car wasn't included in it. TSB 01-002/23

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Engine · NE

The engine cylinder head cracked before the vehicle hit 50,000 miles. This caused oil to leak and burn in the engine compartment, leading to a burning smell coming into the cabin. Once enough oil had been lost, I got a low oil pressure light. I immediately pulled over and noticed white smoke was coming out from under my hood, and the smell of burning oil was quite strong. The problem has been confirmed by my mazda dealer. The vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance. Just the dealer. The vehicle is currently at the dealer, and the cylinder head would need to be removed for inspection if requested. The smell of burning oil was the only early symptom, though I did not recognize it at the time.