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Model review

Mazda CX-5

2017–2021

Reviewed by Paul Kerr — 30 years in NZ car retail · Updated 11 October 2026 · How we rate

Mazda CX-5 (Second Generation Pre-Facelift (KF))

Popular family SUV with fuel pump recall shadow

CarTrader Rating

6.5/10

Based on 9 expert reviews, 4 official safety sources, 1 owner review site and 12 owner forums.

See all sources

Owner

However, a significant recall affecting models built between 2017 and 2019 involved a fuel pump fault that could cause the vehicle to stall, posing serious accident risk. Owners also report cylinder head cracks and various transmission problems, though the 6-speed automatic itself is considered a solid unit.

Scorecard

How scores work
  • Reliability5/10

    Fuel pump recall affecting 2017–2019 models, plus cylinder head cracks and transmission problems reported (Auto Trader NZ, Mazdas247 Forum, Mazda Forum).

  • Space & practicality8/10

    Luggage space is 455 litres with the seat up and 1355 litres with the rear seats down (DriveLife).

  • Drive7/10

    The CX-5 SP25T is comfortable and handles well, though the vehicle is not very economical (AA New Zealand, Driven Car Guide).

  • Value7/10

    The warranty is five years unlimited kilometre with three years roadside assistance, despite outdated technology (DriveLife, Driven Car Guide).

Which one to buy

Avoid

2.2-litre diesel, 2017–2021

Catastrophic DPF blockages, fuel mixing with oil, and injector failures under typical Kiwi short-trip driving, with repair costs exceeding vehicle value.

Source: MotorSift NZ, FixMyCar

What's good

  • The warranty is five years unlimited kilometre (DriveLife).
  • Roadside assistance is provided for three years (DriveLife).
  • Luggage space is 455 litres with the seat up and 1355 litres with the rear seats down (DriveLife).
  • The Limited model has a 10-speaker 249-watt Bose audio system (DriveLife).

What's not so good

  • Seven Mazda models including the CX-5 built between 2017 and 2019 were recalled due to a low pressure fuel pump issue (Auto Trader NZ).
  • The fuel pump impeller can deform and stop the pump from working, causing the vehicle to stall (Auto Trader NZ).
  • A loss of power while driving from the fuel pump issue could increase the risk of an accident and injury to vehicle occupants or other road users, and in the event of a serious accident may result in death (Auto Trader NZ).
  • Forum users discuss cracked cylinder heads occurring in CX-5 models from 2018 onwards (Mazdas247 Forum).
  • One owner reports an engine smoke and lost power fault on a 2017 model (ProductReview).
  • The technology in the vehicle is outdated, mainly in the on-screen functions of the control panel with no touch screen ability but using a rotation button (Driven Car Guide).
  • A common battery fault issue occurs on the CX-5, with replacement cost of $220 covered under warranty (ProductReview).

Who it's for

The CX-5 SP25T is comfortable and handles well, with strong safety ratings and substantial cargo capacity making it appealing for families.

Reliability and known issues

Known issues by engine

2.0L Skyactiv-G Petrol • The manual gearbox can experience mechanical resistance or gear engagement noise, particularly involving lower gears like 1st, 2nd, and reverse (Mazda Forum).

2.5L Skyactiv-G Petrol • Mazda denied warranty assistance for the cracked cylinder head, citing that the vehicle was out of warranty and had only been serviced at Mazda dealerships 4 times, despite regular oil changes and routine service at independent shops (Mazda Forum).

2.5L Turbocharged Skyactiv-G Petrol No issues found in our sources.

In Australia, the recall impacts over 90,000 vehicles across the affected models (Auto Trader NZ). Some forum users attribute cracked cylinder heads to CD (coolant dilution) (Mazdas247 Forum). Dealers may assist with the cost of cracked cylinder head repairs if the vehicle is under warranty (Mazdas247 Forum). One 2022 CX5 non-turbo owner experienced repeated gearbox problems with difficult shifting and the vehicle jerking forward at traffic lights despite the brake being applied, needing workshop visits at least four times for a new valve body and multiple software updates (Mazda Forum). Forum members describe the Mazda 6-speed automatic as a highly regarded gearbox, significantly superior to the Jatco or Ford units from earlier years (Mazda Forum). A common seatbelt fault issue has been reported by owners (ProductReview). Door armrest cracking and caving in is a reported fault, with warranty claims being refused by Mazda (ProductReview).

Known issues

  • Low pressure fuel pump impeller may deform, causing pump to stop working and vehicle to stall

    A loss of power while driving could increase risk of accident and injury to vehicle occupants or other road users, and in serious accident may result in death

    Years affected
    2017–2019
    Source
    Auto Trader NZ

  • Cracked cylinder heads

    Some forum users attribute this to coolant dilution; dealers may assist with cost if under warranty

    Years affected
    2018 onwards
    Source
    Mazdas247 Forum, Mazda Forum

  • Manual gearbox mechanical resistance or gear engagement noise, particularly in 1st, 2nd, and reverse

    Source
    Mazda Forum

  • Hard shifting and lurching forward while in drive with foot on brake at stop light

    Required service at least 4 times with new valve body and several reprogrammings

    Source
    Mazda Forum

  • Common battery fault

    Replacement cost of $220 covered under warranty

    Source
    ProductReview

  • Common seatbelt fault

    Source
    ProductReview

  • Door armrest cracking and caving in

    Mazda has refused warranty claims for this issue

    Source
    ProductReview

  • Engine smoke and lost power

    Years affected
    2017
    Source
    ProductReview

No cost shown means we haven't found a sourced NZ price for that repair.

Buying one in New Zealand

NZ-new vs used import

  • Rightcar lists a manual-gearbox diesel among imported CX-5s (2019); every NZ-new CX-5 diesel it lists is a six-speed automatic. (Rightcar: CX-5 diesel)
  • Rightcar has official fuel-use figures only for NZ-new CX-5s (6.7–7.0 L/100km diesel, 7.7–9.1 petrol) and no safety-equipment list for imports — check an import’s own spec rather than assuming it matches an NZ-new grade. (Rightcar: CX-5 diesel, Rightcar: CX-5 petrol)

Buying an import: what to check

  • Ask for the Japanese auction sheet. Auction houses grade each car from 0 to 6 on overall condition, and an R or RA grade means it has had accident repairs. (Prestige Motorsport auction guide)
  • Every used import is inspected at the border and entry-certified before it can be registered here, and odometer tampering is one of the things checked for. It still pays to compare the reading with the auction sheet and any service history. (NZTA, NZTA entry-certification reference material)

Safety and emissions ratings

  • NZ-new diesel2017–2021

    Includes GSX DSL, LTD DSL

    Safety
    5★ 2025 UCSR
    Energy · CO₂ · Air
    2.5–3/6 · 2.5/6 · 1/6
    Fuel use
    6.7–7 L/100km
  • NZ-new petrol2017–2021

    Includes GSX PTR, GLX PTR, Takami PTL and others

    Safety
    5★ 2025 UCSR
    Energy · CO₂ · Air
    1.5–2.5/6 · 1.5–2.5/6 · 4/6
    Fuel use
    7.7–9.1 L/100km
  • Used import diesel2017–2021
    Safety
    5★ 2025 UCSR
    Energy · CO₂ · Air
    3–3.5/6 · 2.5–3.5/6 · 1/6
    Fuel use
    Not listed
  • Used import petrol2017–2021
    Safety
    5★ 2025 UCSR
    Energy · CO₂ · Air
    2–2.5/6 · 2–3/6 · 3–4/6
    Fuel use
    Not listed

From Rightcar, checked 27 September 2026. Safety stars are out of 5, shown with the rating system and year Rightcar lists. Energy, CO₂ and air-pollution ratings are out of 6. Ranges cover the different variants; tap a version for the full list.

Recalls

Check a specific car by plate or VIN: Rightcar vehicle recalls lookup.

  • 2018 · R202201Jan 2022 · 85% complete

    The low-pressure fuel pump’s impeller can deform and stop the pump, causing a no-start or a stall.

  • Up to 2018 (listed VIN ranges, including early KF models) · AK001Nov 2019 · 85% complete

    A leaking fuel-injector seal can let carbon build up, causing a gradual loss of performance, warning lights and, at worst, engine damage and a stall.

  • 2018–2019 · R201916Jul 2019 · Recall complete

    Cylinder-deactivation software could let an intake-valve rocker arm move out of position inside the engine.

Recalls issued for this generation in NZ, from the NZTA vehicle safety recalls database (checked 27 September 2026), summarised in our words, with the campaign status NZTA shows. Not every car in these years is affected — check the plate.

Towing and payload

VariantBrakedUnbrakedPayloadSource
2.0L Petrol FWD (GLX / GSX)1,800 kg750 kg—CarsGuide
2.5T Petrol Turbo AWD (SP25T / Takami)2,000 kg750 kg—AA New Zealand

Common questions

What the experts say

Our summary of what each outlet concluded, in our own words — follow the links for their full reviews. Updated 11 October 2026.

Model timeline

  1. 2012–2017

    First generation (KE)

    New generation

    The first CX-5. Production started in January 2012.

    Source: Wikipedia — Mazda CX-5

  2. 2014–2017

    KE facelift

    Facelift

    Revealed at the 2014 Los Angeles show: styling updates, less road noise, better infotainment and a sport mode for the automatic.

    Source: Wikipedia — Mazda CX-5

  3. 2017–2025

    Second generation (KF)

    New generation · This review

    NZ launch in April 2017 with 2.0 and 2.5 petrol engines and a 2.2 diesel.

    Source: Wikipedia — Mazda CX-5

  4. 2021–2025

    KF facelift

    Facelift

    Revealed September 2021: restyled front and rear, revised suspension and a stiffer body for less noise and vibration.

    Source: Wikipedia — Mazda CX-5

  5. 2025–now

    Third generation (KM)

    New generation

    On sale in NZ from 5 March 2026, with a 2.5 petrol engine only.

    Source: Wikipedia — Mazda CX-5

From the sources

  • “The low pressure fuel pump impeller may become deformed and cause the fuel pump to stop working. This can result in the vehicle stalling.”

    Auto Trader NZ

  • “the 2.5-litre Skyactiv petrol (140Kw/251Nm)”

    DriveLife

  • “The CX-5 SP25T handles just as well as it looks. The car is comfortable with no complaints from any of the family”

    AA New Zealand

What NZ buyers actually paid

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