Shopping Used CX-5s, questions about cracked cylinder years

[FalafeliSgo]

I'm so sorry for asking about the cracked cylinder head issue, as I've seen it been asked repeatedly before. I read for hours and still don't really understand which years and VINs etc are affected. Blew my 07 Mazda 3 motor with 80k miles last week and really want to avoid any potential catastrophic failures in my new car choice, that devastated me.

I'm in the market for a used CX-5 in the 17-20k price range. My priority is reliability, AWD, low cost of ownership over 7-10 yrs, and I want a HUD. Which years/VINS should I best target to avoid any potential cracked cylinder head issue?

 

[wlong01]

Above 2021's.
2019 - 2021 turbos could develop cracked cylinder head but they're covered under extended warranty for this problem. Usually presents itself as a coolant leak.
The NA engines can also have this problem but it will present itself as a oil leak.
As of now no extended warranty yet for the NA's. Not sure what years are experiencing CCH's in the NA engines.

I"m not sure but I don't think the HUD was around before 2019.

 

[jadmt]

if you up your budget you should be able to get a 2022-2023 pretty decked out CX5 turbo with lower miles...I just checked the KBB on my 2023 CX5 turbo with just under 40,000 miles and in excellent shape and KBB said between $24,290 and $27,000

 

[gphin]

I wouldn't worry about the cracked cyclinder head issue. As mentioned above, Mazda issued a 10 year, 120k miles warranty for the small amount of affected vehicles.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-11011136-0001.pdf

 

[FalafeliSgo]

Thanks guys

And yes, even though they issued a 10 year warranty it's still a big worry for me. I routinely keep cars for 15+ years and don't put many miles on them. A 10 year warranty is cool, but if I'm buying a 2020 that's only 5 years left, which pretty much guarantees that I'll be selling the car when that period is up - which is not the goal. I'll have to stretch budget to get a 2022+ or go for a 2017 or something instead.

 

[madar]

2015 to 2016 has my vote, bullet proof engines, transmissions, etc. 2016 year introduced the EPB which might have been problematic at first, mine was.

 

[sm1ke]

A 10 year warranty is cool, but if I'm buying a 2020 that's only 5 years left, which pretty much guarantees that I'll be selling the car when that period is up - which is not the goal.

To be fair, you don't have to sell the car when the extended warranty expires. Chances are good that the engine will last much longer. On top of that, being aware of the potential issue means that you can plan ahead and set up a "repair fund" that would be established and ready to use by the time the warranty runs out. Then, if the cylinder head cracks while the car is out of warranty, you'll have the cash to repair it (and it will be repaired using the revised cylinder head that isn't prone to this issue). Ideally you'd never end up using the "repair fund" for anything other than basic maintenance, which you can then carry over to your next vehicle.

 

[RedBaron]

Trouble is that none of the older cars, and none of the newer lower to mid trims will have a HUD

 

[wlong01]

Trouble is that none of the older cars, and none of the newer lower to mid trims will have a HUD

True - he would have to start at 2019 for the HUD.

 

[Lazy2.5]

2015 to 2016 has my vote, bullet proof engines, transmissions,

Agree

 

[jadmt]

2015 to 2016 has my vote, bullet proof engines, transmissions, etc. 2016 year introduced the EPB which might have been problematic at first, mine was.

I personally would not pick a 10 year old car if I planned on keeping another 10 years unless it was dirt cheap...but everyone has different ideas of what is best..

 

[wlong01]

Thanks guys

And yes, even though they issued a 10 year warranty it's still a big worry for me. I routinely keep cars for 15+ years and don't put many miles on them. A 10 year warranty is cool, but if I'm buying a 2020 that's only 5 years left, which pretty much guarantees that I'll be selling the car when that period is up - which is not the goal. I'll have to stretch budget to get a 2022+ or go for a 2017 or something instead.

I personally would not pick a 10 year old car if I planned on keeping another 10 years unless it was dirt cheap...but everyone has different ideas of what is best..

I have a 11 yo 2016 CX-5 with 45,000 miles on the ODO. It will definitely last another 10 years. In order to have 10 care free years you have to find one that was taken care of and has low mileage.
They're out there but hard to find. Kinda like Bigfoot.

 

[N7turbo]

I personally would not pick a 10 year old car if I planned on keeping another 10 years unless it was dirt cheap...but everyone has different ideas of what is best..

Yeah generally, the kind of car you keep 10 years are the ones just returned from lease in good condition.

I plan this CX-5 to be considered for sale somewhere around it's 7th birthday in 2030. But who knows what the market will look like at that time, so the decision will depend entirely on what's available.

 

[Lazy2.5]

The newer ones are heavier and more complicated electronically, but so long as you find a model that has no engine or transmission problems, by all means.

If you can find a 2015-2017 with little to no rust I think it's worth it, because they are known and proven to be highly reliable.

 

[chickdr]

The HUD was offered starting in 2017 (on the Grand Touring trim). I had to look it up to be sure, but I rented a 2017 CX-5 GT and it had one. That was my first experience with a CX-5 and sold me immediately. I leased a GT in 2019 and bought my '21 GTR as a result. The OP should easily be able to find a 2017 or 18 for his price. He may even find a 19-20 in the 20k range.

 

[wlong01]

The HUD was offered starting in 2017 (on the Grand Touring trim). I had to look it up to be sure, but I rented a 2017 CX-5 GT and it had one. That was my first experience with a CX-5 and sold me immediately. I leased a GT in 2019 and bought my '21 GTR as a result. The OP should easily be able to find a 2017 or 18 for his price. He may even find a 19-20 in the 20k range.

Didn't realize it was that early, sales guy told me it was new for the 19's. He said it was a big selling point along with the turbo.

 

[jadmt]

The HUD was offered starting in 2017 (on the Grand Touring trim). I had to look it up to be sure, but I rented a 2017 CX-5 GT and it had one. That was my first experience with a CX-5 and sold me immediately. I leased a GT in 2019 and bought my '21 GTR as a result. The OP should easily be able to find a 2017 or 18 for his price. He may even find a 19-20 in the 20k range.

yes my mother in-law has a 2017 grand touring...garage kept low miles (she bought new after my father in-law passed) she is 86 so not a lot of driving....her only issues with the car have been the infotainment and HUD both have had issues that she gave up on...other than that she has loved it.