Thinking of getting a CX-5 Turbo, things to look out for?

[Skyfire]

Hi all!

Figured I'd introduce myself: I'm a genXer in his late 40's, head of a family of 4. I came from a 2017 Subaru BRZ 6spd, and would've still be driving that car if the dumb driver didn't total her (RIP lil' yellow), so I'm now in the market for something bigger (wife & kids constantly complained about the lack of rear legroom) and still somewhat sporty. I've test drove Subaru (WRX is the only one that tugged at my heart, but still kind of impractical), Toyota (reliable but boring and "floaty"), and a few other cars, but the CX-5, especially the Turbo version, seemed to me as the best combo. I'm look to keep the cost below $30k, hence looking at used.

I've read this thread and this reddit, seems the consensus is:

• Avoid cars equipped with CD, which all Turbos meet that criteria
• For Turbo engines, go with 2021, preferably 2022 or above, due to the cylinder head crack and exhaust valve stem seals issue
• Look for cars that has religious oil/transmission/differential fluid change history

That said, I do have a few questions:

• How long would the Turbo engine last before I need to perform major repair/parts replacement?
• What else should I look for on a relatively high mileage car with turbo? I'm talking 60k-90k.
• What are signs of abuse/lack of maintenance on a car equipped with Turbo? e.g. engine noise, signs of turbo seal failure etc.
• What other signs I should look for to differentiate a well cared for vs neglected CX-5?

Thank you all!

 

[ceric]

I think you knew what to avoid already. I have a '22 Turbo from new.

To your questions..
It takes time for a new engine to mature. I think problems with Mazda Turbo engine were fixed one by one as they showed up (not many I know except for the crack and ring). No one can guarantee for Mazda, but that is why I bought one.

If you are getting an used turbo CX-5, I'd advise you to spend a few more dollars to have it inspected by a Mazda dealer of your choice. You can also pay more to include a cylinder pressure test. This test tells you how much wear has been done to this engine cylinders.

My two cents.

 

[Skyfire]

What's the recommended oil change and transmission oil change interval on these Turbo engines? Would it be of concern if previous owner drove 13k miles between one oil change? (AFAIK from CarFax records)

 

[wlong01]

What's the recommended oil change and transmission oil change interval on these Turbo engines? Would it be of concern if previous owner drove 13k miles between one oil change? (AFAIK from CarFax records)

I change the oil in the turbo at 5,000 miles each time. I just changed the tranny fluid at 50,000.
Mazda doesn't recommend changing the trans fluid but if you plan on keeping the vehicle past powetrain warranty it's a good idea to change it along with the rear diff and transfer case fluid.

As far as the 13k oil change, my feeling is if it was one time and the others were done at the proper intervals then it probably didn't do any damage. Maybe it was done and not recorded. Have to see what the other intervals were.

 

[N7turbo]

As far as the 13k oil change, my feeling is if it was one time and the others were done at the proper intervals then it probably didn't do any damage. Maybe it was done and not recorded. Have to see what the other intervals were.

To me, one 13k oil change tells me a lot about the mindset of the owner.

 

[gazelle]

What's the recommended oil change and transmission oil change interval on these Turbo engines? Would it be of concern if previous owner drove 13k miles between one oil change? (AFAIK from CarFax records)

The recommended oil change interval is 7.5k mi, a lot of people here do 5k.
I don' t think it's possible to do 13k with no oil change, and not getting low oil light triggered, but again a lot of people are clueless. Should not cause damage, but there should be a ton of options with no 13k gap, so why choose a car with one?
Stem seal in 2021 and below is not a big deal but takes up to a week at the dealer (for free)

 

[Skyfire]

Thanks all!

I live near the Canadian border, and is considering importing a CX5 from up there. Does the Canadian NA cars have the dreaded Cylinder Deactivation feature?

 

[SimpleCanuck]

Thanks all!

I live near the Canadian border, and is considering importing a CX5 from up there. Does the Canadian NA cars have the dreaded Cylinder Deactivation feature?

Up to 2023, the base Canadian model did not have CD but the other NA trims did. 2024 models initially had them on all NA trims but then it was removed possibly due to shortages. For 2025, it appears that the 2 lowest trims do not have it but the other NA trims do in fact have CD.

My '20 CX-5 was a base trim and did not have CD. My current '22 is one higher than the base and it has CD.

 

[jadmt]

you can not depend on carfax for accurate oil change...carfax does not record people that change their own oil and I trust myself 100x more than an oil change place or a dealership to change oil. I would buy from private party that could provide records.

 

[jadmt]

canadian vehicles will not have a warranty in the us many people end up getting screwed on this as once they are registered in the us than they also can have issue getting warranty in canada...just something to research.

 

[Skyfire]

canadian vehicles will not have a warranty in the us many people end up getting screwed on this as once they are registered in the us than they also can have issue getting warranty in canada...just something to research.

Thanks for the heads up. The used cars I've been looking at are all out of warranty, so I'm not too worried about it. I'm more concerned about consistent and frequent maintenance, since I heard the Turbo engines are especially sensitive to maintenance.

 

[Skyfire]

Speaking of which, what are the major maintenance items I should prepare for once the car is past 50k miles? Transmission fluid? Spark plugs? Suspension??

 

[wlong01]

Speaking of which, what are the major maintenance items I should prepare for once the car is past 50k miles? Transmission fluid? Spark plugs? Suspension??

Turbo plugs should be changed at 40,000.

 

[jadmt]

yes other than plugs changed earlier than na nothing else really is different. trannys seem to be pretty robust for the power output. I am at 30,000 on mine and super tight still suspension wise.

 

[P-51 Lover]

I have a 2021 CX-5, naturally aspirated, with 36,000 miles. I’ve had the car since new. It has the cylinder displacement (CD) feature. So far, the CD has been flawless and I absolutely never know when it is active. CD adds complexity to the engine, so it’s one more thing that can cause problems, just like a turbo with all its associated parts. I chose not to buy a CX-5 with the turbo to avoid its complexity and reduced gas mileage.

The only reason I would desire the added power a turbo would provide is if I had to travel a lot of two lane highways where I would need to pass cars often. A turbo might also add some fun to my driving if I had “the need for speed.” For that, I have a Dodge Challenger R/T (375 Hp Hemi) with 6 speed. Even with it, I rarely use all the power. It’s a Dodge, so it might break!

 

[N7turbo]

I have a 2021 CX-5, naturally aspirated, with 36,000 miles. I’ve had the car since new. It has the cylinder displacement (CD) feature. So far, the CD has been flawless and I absolutely never know when it is active. CD adds complexity to the engine, so it’s one more thing that can cause problems, just like a turbo with all its associated parts. I chose not to buy a CX-5 with the turbo to avoid its complexity and reduced gas mileage.

The only reason I would desire the added power a turbo would provide is if I had to travel a lot of two lane highways where I would need to pass cars often. A turbo might also add some fun to my driving if I had “the need for speed.” For that, I have a Dodge Challenger R/T (375 Hp Hemi) with 6 speed. Even with it, I rarely use all the power. It’s a Dodge, so it might break!

Only 375hp? That has to be underrated. Skyactiv Turbo tops out around there with intake+downpipe+tune. Pushing beyond that without cooling, maybe the reliability will be similar to the Dodge

 

[P-51 Lover]

Only 375hp? That has to be underrated. Skyactiv Turbo tops out around there with intake+downpipe+tune. Pushing beyond that without cooling, maybe the reliability will be similar to the Dodge

I thought the turbo version of the CX-5 topped out at 250 hp burning premium gasoline. But with a tune and added performance hardware, it would probably be more. The power to weight ratio of a turbo CX-5 may exceed the Dodge Challenger R/T, as the Dodge weighs in at a little over 4100 lbs. Since my speed shifting days are behind me (lesson learned by shucking a tranny yrs ago after missing a shift), I wouldn’t want to race a turbo CX-5 with my R/T. I’d likely get dusted.

 

[N7turbo]

Yeah, 375hp and 3800 lbs for the Mazda, best case with a great tune. ~320whp. There aren't many examples of that on CX-5s because the downpipe is only made for the Mazda 6 and Mazda 3 and has to be modified to work.

The Chargers and Challengers are HEAVY cars.

But 375hp on the Dodge may be underrated also.

 

[AL Cx5]

I have had several Gen 3 Hemis and now a cx5 5 turbo. I had the edu tuned and did a few other bolt on upgrades to the CX 5.

If we are you to compared tuned CX 5, then compare a tuned Hemi. The Hemi makes power to the shift rpm, unlike a turbo Mazda. Mazda turns off the power up top to preserve the engine.

I've abused Hemis with nitros and shifts above 8000 rpm with stock valve train and lifters. Not bad for an old school engine. Stock Hemi makes more power per cc than our 2.5l, boosted or NA.

We are comparing boosted Mazda to NA Dodge. Either compare NA to NA or boosted. Then put tunes in both platforms. The CX 5 will be looking at tail lights far, far away.

I won't put my wife in a boosted tuned Hemi, Hell Cat, that easily make 1000 HP. It can get out of hand in a flash.

We love our CX 5 T. This 2.5l T engine is great fun and it's fun to drive. The power comes on right were it's needs as a DD. The tuned Ecu and other mods woke it up a bit but does not come close to being over powered.The suspension mods make it track. The interior is nice. Still it's no Hemi.

 

[sm1ke]

Good news with used models pre-2021 is that Mazda now has a Customer Service Plan (CSP11) specifically to cover the coolant leak issue (and only the coolant leak issue AFAIK). Coverage extends to 10 years or 120k mi, and you do not have to be the original owner or anything like that. I thought that this was specific to US vehicles only, but according to this thread, CSP11 is applicable to Canada as well (great news for me as a Canadian lol).

This is pretty much the only potential major problem to be aware of, I think. Transmission and diff have very, very few reports of issues, at least here and on Reddit, so regular fluid changes should keep them in good shape. If the car is closer to 90k, you'll probably want to do a coolant service. No real issues with suspension, just replace as needed. In general, these cars are very easy to work on and maintain, just be aware of the need to put the car in maintenance mode to service the rear brakes.