CX-5 Skyactiv Coolant Issues

[pj123]

I came across a Thai review of the new Forester and the reviewer mentioned a known problem with CX5 diesels and coolant issues.

http://www.headlightmag.com/full-review-2019-subaru-forester/

 

It's right at the end of the review. I have been considering purchasing a used CX5 so did research and found many customers complaining about coolant issues with their Skyactiv diesels overheating and blown gaskets. There was a recall in Taiwan this year: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/04/17/2003713534

 

Has anyone seen the same problem in Thailand?

 

  

[richard_smith237]

Nope... 2 years into owning the CX-5 2.2 diesel model (skyActive) no issues whatsoever... 

Thats not to say I won't, but just not yet. 

 

 

[DavisH]

Engine issues with the cx5 are common here as well. The petrol engine is also known to have fuel pump problems and has not been addressed in the new Mazda 3. It probably explains why cx5 sales have dropped a lot this year. Check out the cx5 clubs on Facebook. Lots of information there before you make a decision. I ended up with the CRV after doing my research. Even the forester surpassed the cx5 in sales last month. You could well get a cx5 and have no problems at all; most cars are probably fine, but I'm all about minimising risk. Lots of complaints about how Mazda has dealt with these problems too.

[pj123]

Thanks. The reviewer on headlightmag.com recommends the petrol over the diesel. It also have problems but easier to fix.

[DavisH]

3 hours ago, pj123 said:

Thanks. The reviewer on headlightmag.com recommends the petrol over the diesel. It also have problems but easier to fix.

I would consider the new mazda 3 if you are also considering the cx-5 (unless you really ned the high ride height and extra space). It can flood in my area - I probably would have gotten a civic instead of the crv if the roads were better and didn't flood as much. 

[Jitar]

The recent model Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 have both had issues serious enough to require multiple recalls at least in some countries.  DPF's have caused a lot of problems for both Mazda and Subaru as well as many other brands in western countries with strict emission standards.  Diesels with DPF's and the related problems are not as common in Thailand. 

 

The previous generation Honda CR-V seems to have less serious issues.  Bit early to tell for the new model. 

 

 

 

[DavisH]

1 hour ago, Jitar said:

The recent model Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 have both had issues serious enough to require multiple recalls at least in some countries.  DPF's have caused a lot of problems for both Mazda and Subaru as well as many other brands in western countries with strict emission standards.  Diesels with DPF's and the related problems are not as common in Thailand. 

 

The previous generation Honda CR-V seems to have less serious issues.  Bit early to tell for the new model. 

 

 

 

Now there will be a new cx5 diesel and petrol turbo this year. But as fas as I'm aware, they ahve not address these current issues with the skyactiv engines - and the new ones are pushign even more power out. I considered a mazda cx5 along when the mitsu pajero sport and crv. The crv seems to have less major issues, and the pajero was a bit boatlike over bad roads. 

[Sam Lin]

Yes the diesel head gasket is a major problem in Thailand, it affected all ADR production cars as they share the same engine. A legal firm subpoenaed the Thai DLT records for CX5s that have registered engine changes and found over 1000 registries. This doesn't include cars that had engines changed but have not filed the change with the DLT (my car and another car in my family is in this second group). I blew my engine at 70k km, another in the family blew at 120k km. Mazda Thailand issued a recall and reflashed the PCM to reduce top-end power and lower stress on the engine. In western countries this would lead to a class-action lawsuit because owners no longer get the power they paid for, but good luck with that case in Thailand.

 

The first 2 years of diesel, 12-13 had additional problems with DPF oil dilution, usually resulting in a trashed cam. Mazda released a ECU update to help this. All years also have issues with melting DPF backpressure sensors, they updated to a metal housing sensor in recent years and replace with the new metal sensor if you go in for service. Intake manifolds get carbon deposits, some reports of turbo failures.

 

I strongly suggest you search in the Taiwan CX5 groups. Due to Thailand's defamation laws, most of the Thailand data is found in other country groups. You can also look at the Australian and Malaysian CX5 groups, but they're both much less technical.

 

Mazda Thailand is doing a very good job of supporting, they officially extended the powertrain warranty coverage to 6yr/180k km.

 

Too early to tell if the new generation suffers the same issues (or if the replacement engines on the previous gen truly have the issue fixed - DLT has a handful of cars that have registered 2 engine replacements). Mazda DID increase the standard warranty to 5yr/150k km for next year, probably because they realize the reputation hit.

 

All that said, I love mine, I bought it knowing of the engine issue, and I blew it up. Second engine hasn't died yet, I'll be curious if it does. I would strongly recommend against a 12-13 model year due to the additional issues they suffer. Otherwise there isn't a better driving CUV.

[DavisH]

9 hours ago, Sam Lin said:

Too early to tell if the new generation suffers the same issues (or if the replacement engines on the previous gen truly have the issue fixed - DLT has a handful of cars that have registered 2 engine replacements). Mazda DID increase the standard warranty to 5yr/150k km for next year, probably because they realize the reputation hit.

I've been told by an editor of the headlightmag.com that the engine issues haven't been addressed in the new skyactiv engines. Yet mazda has seen fit to increase the HP and TQ of the diesel engines. This will just exacerbate the problem. 

[pj123]

On 11/1/2019 at 10:19 AM, Sam Lin said:

Yes the diesel head gasket is a major problem in Thailand, it affected all ADR production cars as they share the same engine. A legal firm subpoenaed the Thai DLT records for CX5s that have registered engine changes and found over 1000 registries. This doesn't include cars that had engines changed but have not filed the change with the DLT (my car and another car in my family is in this second group). I blew my engine at 70k km, another in the family blew at 120k km. Mazda Thailand issued a recall and reflashed the PCM to reduce top-end power and lower stress on the engine. In western countries this would lead to a class-action lawsuit because owners no longer get the power they paid for, but good luck with that case in Thailand.

 

The first 2 years of diesel, 12-13 had additional problems with DPF oil dilution, usually resulting in a trashed cam. Mazda released a ECU update to help this. All years also have issues with melting DPF backpressure sensors, they updated to a metal housing sensor in recent years and replace with the new metal sensor if you go in for service. Intake manifolds get carbon deposits, some reports of turbo failures.

 

I strongly suggest you search in the Taiwan CX5 groups. Due to Thailand's defamation laws, most of the Thailand data is found in other country groups. You can also look at the Australian and Malaysian CX5 groups, but they're both much less technical.

 

Mazda Thailand is doing a very good job of supporting, they officially extended the powertrain warranty coverage to 6yr/180k km.

 

Too early to tell if the new generation suffers the same issues (or if the replacement engines on the previous gen truly have the issue fixed - DLT has a handful of cars that have registered 2 engine replacements). Mazda DID increase the standard warranty to 5yr/150k km for next year, probably because they realize the reputation hit.

 

All that said, I love mine, I bought it knowing of the engine issue, and I blew it up. Second engine hasn't died yet, I'll be curious if it does. I would strongly recommend against a 12-13 model year due to the additional issues they suffer. Otherwise there isn't a better driving CUV.

Thank you. A very useful post.