CX-5 Reliability

[Riker52]

I'm looking at a 2018 Cx-5 that has 115k on it. Love how it drives, but honestly a little concerned about the durability of the engine and trans on these. If it's well maintained, can I expect to get another 10 years and 100,000 miles without having major repairs on the trans or engine? I've always been driving an Acura or a Lexus, but I want to switch it up now as long as the Mazda won't be a money pit. My Acuras and Lexus vehicles all made it well past 200k with very little as far as repairs go. Thanks so much for your input!

 

[ADS-B]

My first Mazda was a CX-5 first generation and I had it until 230k when I traded it for a second gen CX-5, which is my current vehicle. I could have driven the first Mazda another 50 k, at least, never had any major problem with it. With my current 2020 CX-5 I have passed 173.000 miles and around 161.000 miles I had to replace the exhaust manifold with integrated catalytic converter. So that was the most expensive maintenance that was done to my car. Never replaced the transmission fluid and I do not have any plans to do that but some people here do that, too. Spark plugs, belts, brake pads, engine oil change and that's about it, in my case. I'm looking forward to buy another CX-5 in the future, maybe the new 2026 design. And I can't even claim that I "well maintain" my car. Good but not great maintenance. I am sure I could do a lot better. Bottom line is, I think, you should get at least another 100.000 miles out of that vehicle easy.

 

[Riker52]

My first Mazda was a CX-5 first generation and I had it until 230k when I traded it for a second gen CX-5, which is my current vehicle. I could have driven the first Mazda another 50 k, at least, never had any major problem with it. With my current 2020 CX-5 I have passed 173.000 miles and around 161.000 miles I had to replace the exhaust manifold with integrated catalytic converter. So that was the most expensive maintenance that was done to my car. Never replaced the transmission fluid and I do not have any plans to do that but some people here do that, too. Spark plugs, belts, brake pads, engine oil change and that's about it, in my case. I'm looking forward to buy another CX-5 in the future, maybe the new 2026 design. And I can't even claim that I "well maintain" my car. Good but not great maintenance. I am sure I could do a lot better. Bottom line is, I think, you should get at least another 100.000 miles out of that vehicle easy.

That's good to know! I have read several people had to replace wheel bearings before 100k, and that kinda scared me about the overall build quality. I don't drive my vehicles hard at all. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[wlong01]

That's good to know! I have read several people had to replace wheel bearings before 100k, and that kinda scared me about the overall build quality. I don't drive my vehicles hard at all. Thanks for the feedback!

Heck, I had to replace the wheel bearings at appx. 80,000 miles on my Acura. I would not judge build quality on a few bearing replacements.

 

[SKL]

That's good to know! I have read several people had to replace wheel bearings before 100k, and that kinda scared me about the overall build quality. I don't drive my vehicles hard at all. Thanks for the feedback!

Wheel bearings are easy to swap now since they're integrated with the hub assembly. And they're cheap.

I see that you've never owned a Subaru. I swapped out wheel bearings every couple of years on my Subarus.

 

[SimpleCanuck]

That's good to know! I have read several people had to replace wheel bearings before 100k, and that kinda scared me about the overall build quality. I don't drive my vehicles hard at all. Thanks for the feedback!

As others have said, time and frequency of wheel bearing replacement is not an accurate measure of vehicle quality.

I had to replace both rear wheel bearings on my 2012 Mazda3 at 105,000 miles, but that is all. That was the most reliable car I ever owned, even more so than the two Honda's that preceded it (and they were both quite reliable themselves).

My parents and brother both owned identical Corolla's (2004 and 2005), and both experienced early wheel bearing failure in one wheel during the first year or so of use. Otherwise, both were extremely reliable as expected.

 

[Riker52]

Heck, I had to replace the wheel bearings at appx. 80,000 miles on my Acura. I would not judge build quality on a few bearing replacements.

That's interesting. I have had only Acura and Lexus vehicles, and run them all to about 250k, and never had to replace wheel bearings.

 

[wlong01]

That's interesting. I have had only Acura and Lexus vehicles, and run them all to about 250k, and never had to replace wheel bearings.

Consider yourself lucky. Also Acura has timing belts instead of chains. That's a major cost. I also replaced one of those at around 80k. Hopefully the new models now have chains.

 

[SimpleCanuck]

Consider yourself lucky. Also Acura has timing belts instead of chains. That's a major cost. I also replaced one of those at around 80k. Hopefully the new models now have chains.

As far as I know, all Honda/Acura 4-bangers are chain driven, but their V6's are still belt driven.

 

[Lazy2.5]

The Skyactiv Mazdas are up there as one of the most reliable Japanese cars ever built.

 

[bmninada]

9 yrs. had technically 1 problem: leaking tensioner till date. But I change oil every time my system says 40% left with ONLY GF-5. I tighten and check all chassis bolts, lubricate everything with white lithium grease and annually clean and lubricate brake caliper pins.