69 yr old retired/married guy looking at the CX5. Currently own a 2015 Rogue w/84K that has done OK, but worry about the CVT trans as it nears 100K miles. I like the CX5 and the Rav4- and both have been mentioned to have some transmission issues. The transmission failures dont appear to be as wide spread as the Nissan CVT. Would consider 2022 to 2024 models and think maybe the latest version came out in 23. Is there much difference between these versions? Im most interested in something that is reliable. The handling and interior of these seems to be highly rated, so thats a plus. The Rav4 is very similar, what comments could you offer me? Thanks, George in NC/Alabama.
New here and looking at the CX-5
- Thread starter burrpenick
- Start date
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- Plano, Texas, USA
Since you’re 69 years old and currently own a 2015 Nissan Rogue (soft suspension), you really should test drive a new Mazda CX-5 making sure you can accommodate its totally different ride characteristics (firm suspension) on Mazda CX-5. Some also complain the seat comfort issue on CX-5 too.
Avoid 2019 ~ 2020 CX-5’s if you want the 2.5T turbo as it suffers the cylinder head crack issue with coolant leak due to the design flaws. Mazda has since updated the head to fight against the crack. 2021 CX-5 with a 2.5T suffers bad exhaust valve stem seals and there’s a class-action law suit involved.
Also avoid 2018 ~ 2024 CX-5 if you’re looking for the non-turbo 2.5L NA since the engine has problematic cylinder activation. It may suffer cylinder head crack issue in different area with oil leak. The modified 6-speed transmission to fight the CD vibration also suffers iron powder ATF contamination due to excessive wearing of the inferior single lockup clutch in the torque converter.
2017~2024 CX-5 Chirp Noise from Automatic Transaxle on 3-4 upshift - Bulletin 05-005/23
Personally I’d find a vehicle without cylinder deactivation at all cost as I keep my cars for as long as I can.
Mazda did release some 2.5L NA without cylinder deactivation due to the “parts shortage” for 2024 CX-5 and that should be the one you can look for if you don’t want the turbo.
Buy the 2024 CX-5 NA to avoid cylinder head crack issue?
This info is from an official Mazda TSB:
NOTE: To identify vehicles with cylinder deactivation, examine the 8th digit of the VIN.
• L: 2.5L without cylinder deactivation
• M: 2.5L with cylinder deactivation
Always check the VIN. Don’t trust anything else the the Mazda dealer told you whether or not if the 2.5L NA has the CD.
A friend of ours just bought a brand new 2024 Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid AWD. It’s made in Japan but the price is pretty high over $50K with TTL. I’d get a new Toyota Venza for that price.
Avoid 2019 ~ 2020 CX-5’s if you want the 2.5T turbo as it suffers the cylinder head crack issue with coolant leak due to the design flaws. Mazda has since updated the head to fight against the crack. 2021 CX-5 with a 2.5T suffers bad exhaust valve stem seals and there’s a class-action law suit involved.
Also avoid 2018 ~ 2024 CX-5 if you’re looking for the non-turbo 2.5L NA since the engine has problematic cylinder activation. It may suffer cylinder head crack issue in different area with oil leak. The modified 6-speed transmission to fight the CD vibration also suffers iron powder ATF contamination due to excessive wearing of the inferior single lockup clutch in the torque converter.
2017~2024 CX-5 Chirp Noise from Automatic Transaxle on 3-4 upshift - Bulletin 05-005/23
Personally I’d find a vehicle without cylinder deactivation at all cost as I keep my cars for as long as I can.
Mazda did release some 2.5L NA without cylinder deactivation due to the “parts shortage” for 2024 CX-5 and that should be the one you can look for if you don’t want the turbo.
Buy the 2024 CX-5 NA to avoid cylinder head crack issue?
This info is from an official Mazda TSB:
NOTE: To identify vehicles with cylinder deactivation, examine the 8th digit of the VIN.
• L: 2.5L without cylinder deactivation
• M: 2.5L with cylinder deactivation
Always check the VIN. Don’t trust anything else the the Mazda dealer told you whether or not if the 2.5L NA has the CD.
A friend of ours just bought a brand new 2024 Toyota RAV4 Limited Hybrid AWD. It’s made in Japan but the price is pretty high over $50K with TTL. I’d get a new Toyota Venza for that price.
Venza is gone after this model year…. 2025 Crown Signia takes it place in the lineup
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- Plano, Texas, USA
Somehow the history of sales on Toyota Venza seems to have a bumpy ride. I personally like it after the second release in 2021 as a Lexus-like midsize crossover hybrid. But it’s very difficult to get, the wait time is long, and at least the $5,000+ mark up to the MSRP is something I’m not willing to settle.
Looks like 2025 Crown Signia is lower but longer than Venza, and it isn’t a direct compatible CUV to Venza in many ways. It’s based on the top of line Crown sedan selling in Japan for many years. It’s riding higher than sedan more like a Crown station wagon.
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LOL...you just said to avoid every CX5 from 2018-2024 unless it's a 2021-2024 2.5T model
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- 2023 CX-5 Premium; 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatch
You noticed that, eh?
N7turbo
2023 CX-5 2.5T ... 2024 MX-5 RF GT
And not just CX-5s...pretty much all Mazdas that use this engine. 3, 6, CX-30, CX-5, CX-9, CX-50, etc.
We need to consider that the majority of them don't have these problems, but there's the potential for some of them to experience issues.
Yes, I did take notice, and that kind of info was exactly what I was looking for. Do I stay away? Not sure, only reason l was considering getting rid of my 2015 Rogue was because I was concerned the CVT w/fail sooner rather than later- now at 84K. Im open, so looking at rav 4 and venza too....anyother ideas???? George in NC
I had it changed at about 50K, and the factory claims its not necessary.....but the failures keep piling up!
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I would bet if you polled all the Mazda owners in the world the percentage of owners that experienced any of the problems spoused by yrwei52 would be pretty low.
We have two CX-5's and have not experienced any problems at all. One is 9 years old, the other 5.
I remember years ago people on this forum claiming that my 16 was going to have the dragging caliper problem, well it's been 9 years and the calipers are just fine.
We have two CX-5's and have not experienced any problems at all. One is 9 years old, the other 5.
I remember years ago people on this forum claiming that my 16 was going to have the dragging caliper problem, well it's been 9 years and the calipers are just fine.
Antoine
Administrator
If you're thinking avoid in this case, then you might as well "avoid" every car ever made. I would use "Note that" or "Be aware there have been reports of..." etc...Sheesh..We're here to support Mazdas and the Ownership experience...Not to tell people to run for the hills because some have issues (like any car ever made).
I understand what you are sayin......so yes, its a minefield out there in the SUV world! I love the shape of the CX and lovely interior too. Have not driven one yet but think I'll like the sporty handling too. I understand that the percentage of problems is small on most of these vehicles, but it would be nice to choose one up front that has less than more!
Like the size and shape of the Venza but not that extra 400lbs due to what must be the Hybrid system- along with its extra complexity.
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- CX-5 Sport 16.5 6M
I would check some Nissan forums. It seems like I've read people are changing it every 20-30k miles in some cases. Apparently the rubber belts shed a lot of debris.
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- Plano, Texas, USA
Yeh no car is perfect and they all have some issues. But we’re talking about major problems due to bad design, however the failure percentage is small. Not every new car on the market has this many reports of cracked cylinder head on the engine.
This’s something I really hate to see with such report in our forum:
Cracked cylinder head while stationed overseas (2017 CX-9)
IMO we can’t bury our head in the sand and blindly support Mazda’s design mistakes. Mazda made mistakes when they re-designed the cylinder head for the 2.5L NA with cylinder deactivation and the 2.5T with turbo. Both new heads can’t support reliably the long and heavy exhaust manifold which eventually could crack. Mazda admitted the mistake and updated the head on the 2.5T, but haven’t done anything to the 2.5L NA with CD other than simplified the parts package for easier process of head replacement. The cases of head crack should be minimum, but once it happens, it’s a major repair and costs an arm and a leg to fix if you don’t have warranty.
The 3 mm thin wall at the cracked area showed in the Ukrainian / Russian video on the 2.5L NA with CD clearly proved to me it’s a bad design to support the long and heavy exhaust manifold from the SkyActiv-G.
In addition, the 6-speed auto for the 2.5L NA with CD uses different single plate lock-up clutch pack, due to the space used by the added fulcrum inside the torque converter to fight against the vibration from CD. It could have excessive wear prematurely and contaminates the ATF by iron powder described in a TSB. This’s another bad design (or compromise?) to a major component which could have potential major problem on the 2.5L NA with CD.
I wouldn’t want take such risks on my new car purchase if I know in advance the car could have these problems due to the bad design as I always keep my car for as long as I can. I believe we should let people know such facts when they come over this forum and ask opinions.
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- Plano, Texas, USA
Yes hybrid vehicles will be always heavier (or the MPG would be even better) and complex, and more expensive too. But a hybrid from Toyota has been proven reliable for many year, that’s the only brand I’d consider if I want a hybrid or PHEV.
I agree, and was VERY happy that someone on the list was open and honest so that I can make an informed decision. Im a Mopar guy but dont recommend them to folks as daily drivers today!
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- CX-5 Sport 16.5 6M
I read Mazda is installing Toyota hybrid drivetrains in the new US plant. Is it the CX 50?
