Is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 a bad year?
273 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 135, 9× a quiet CX-5 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
The engine draws 9× the complaints of a quiet CX-5 year, spread over 8k–79k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 CX-5 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 28,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 135 (49%) | 8k–79k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 6 (2%) | 1k–11k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Electrical system | 47 (17%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 32 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 21 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 16 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 12 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 28,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 273 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 8 say the car was towed.
56 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2019 Mazda CX-5: 2
The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail. Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall. An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 429
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 Mazda CX-5. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...)…
001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) D8 Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00…
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…
Some vehicles may display some (or all) of the following symptoms: Check engine light on with DTC P061B Light increase in engine rpms during acceleration…
Neighbouring years
2018 CX-5: 355 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2020 CX-5: 110 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda CX-5 year
2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All CX-5 years side by side
Other Mazda models: Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8 · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 Mazda CX-5 a bad year?
273 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 135, 9× a quiet CX-5 year. At 28,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. The engine draws 9× the complaints of a quiet CX-5 year, spread over 8k–79k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Mazda CX-5?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (135), brakes (6), electrical system (47), transmission and drivetrain (32), fuel system (21). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 8k–79k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 Mazda CX-5 have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 21V-875), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 19V-497). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.