Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start?

The Mazda CX-5 is a great vehicle for families who need to get around. It has ample space for kids and their stuff, as well as for the parents themselves.

It also got great safety features and a comfortable ride. Moreover, it checks all the right boxes of a high-quality SUV, and you cannot go wrong with it.

It might be a great SUV, but it is far from perfect. The CX-5 has a list of problems, some of which have been a source of headaches. Starting issues are present on this list too.

Many owners of the SUV have been left wondering, “Why won’t my Mazda CX-5 start?”. Fortunately for you, I have the answer. Unfortunately, there can be a lot of reasons.

Let’s take a look at them first:

Drained Battery
Faulty Spark Plugs
Fuel Pump Failure
Clogged Fuel Pump
Complete Engine Failure

I know you might be worried that something major may be wrong with your SUV.

Chances are that the issue is not that serious, and you may be able to fix it. All of the issues mentioned above will be discussed in detail below.

Table of Contents

What Would Cause A Mazda CX-5 To Not Start?

I would suggest that you take a deep breath before starting with this section of the article.

You will need to read through everything to finally figure out exactly what is wrong with your Mazda CX-5.

1: Drained Battery

A drained battery is a common cause of your Mazda CX-5 having starting problems. The battery can lose power when you leave your car parked for an extended period.

This is especially true if the vehicle has been in storage or turned on and left running for an extended period.

You may also leave the lights on overnight, leading to the battery drain. A faulty alternator can also cause a drained battery.

It is responsible for charging the battery, and if it malfunctions, then the battery will slowly lose its charge. There is a low chance of failing, but it is still possible.

What Should You Do About It?

Start by checking the lights and any other accessories that might be on.
If they are already off, do not touch them while checking the battery—you could drain it further! If they are indeed turned on, turn them off and try starting again.
Moreover, if this doesn’t work, you’ll need to recharge the battery.
If possible, take your Mazda CX-5 to an auto parts store and ask them to test the battery or recommend a replacement if necessary.
Otherwise, you can use jumper cables to connect another car’s battery directly to yours (make sure both cars are turned off first!).
This should provide enough power to allow your car’s electronics to function properly until they are fully charged.

2: Faulty Spark Plugs

If you’ve noticed that your SUV has been starting up more slowly than usual, or if it’s taking longer to get up to speed, this is likely to be a problem with your spark plugs.

Spark plugs are responsible for igniting fuel in the engine, creating a chemical reaction that makes combustion possible.

The Mazda CX-5 will refuse to start when the spark plug fails to ignite fuel properly. Spark plugs also have a limited lifespan.

They are not designed to last forever and are expected to give up after a few thousand miles, depending on which ones you are using.

Some can be used for as long as 100000 miles, while others can be used for only 20000 to 30000 miles.

What Should You Do About It?

To fix this problem, take your Mazda CX-5 into an auto repair shop and have them check out the spark plugs for any damage or wear issues that may have caused them not to work properly anymore.
You’ll probably need new ones, so everything works as it should once it is fixed.
It is recommended to replace all spark plugs at once instead of one at a time. The reason for this is that these plugs wear out equally.
So, if one of them failed you, chances are that others are close to the end of their lifespan too.
Make sure you get platinum or iridium plugs only. They are the longest-lasting and the most durable options on the market.

3: Fuel Pump Failure

The first thing you should do is to check the fuel pump of your Mazda CX-5.

The fuel pump is located near the gas tank and sends fuel from the tank to the engine through a series of pipes, hoses, and filters.

Moreover, the fuel pump works by pumping fuel from the tank and directly into the engine.

It is a critical part of the engine, and if it fails, there is also a risk of the SUV stalling in the middle of the road, which is pretty dangerous.

Fuel pump failure is not common but is possible. This is usually seen in vehicles that are driven, a lot of those whose fuel level is dropped too frequently.

What Should You Do About It?

Several options are available if you have determined that your Mazda CX-5 is experiencing a problem with its fuel pump.
You can replace just the fuel pump itself by removing it from underneath your vehicle and replacing it with a new one.
This may be an effective solution, but it can also be fairly difficult to complete on your own without professional assistance due to the location of the pump.
Another option is to replace both parts of your fuel system at once—the fuel pump and filter—as these components are often found in modern vehicles such as this one.
This will ensure that you don’t run into any issues later down the road because only one part was replaced while another needed attention too.

4: Clogged Fuel Filter

If your Mazda CX-5 is experiencing starting issues, there’s a good chance that the fuel filter is clogged. The fuel filter looks like a large, flat disk, and it’s located in the fuel tank.

It filters out dirt and dust particles from the gas before it enters the engine, preventing damage to the engine. If it becomes clogged with dirt particles, it can cause your CX-5 not to start.

The best way to identify whether this is what’s happening is by taking your car to an auto mechanic who can properly inspect your fuel filter, so it can be determined if it is the source of the issue or not.

What Should You Do About It?

If you’re facing clogged fuel filter problem, then you’ll need to replace it with a new one (and maybe clean out any other parts that might be clogged).
Your mechanic should be able to tell you exactly how much this will cost before they begin replacing any parts so that there aren’t any surprises later on down the line.
Make sure you get not only the highest quality fuel filter but a branded one too.
A faulty or low-quality filter will let dust and contaminants pass through, allowing them to wreak havoc on the engine.

5: Complete Engine Failure

If you have ruled everything out and your Mazda CX-5 still refuses to turn on, the engine might have failed.

Your vehicle may have been damaged by a leak or other electrical malfunction.

You may be wondering how does this happen in the first place? This has been common with vehicles on the road for over a decade.

So, if your CX-5 fits this description, then there is a good chance that the engine has worn out to the point that it can no longer function.

It could be any one part, and the solution is one that you will not like.

What Should You Do About It?

If you have finally figured out that your Mazda CX-5 is not turning over, then the engine has failed and needs to be replaced.

This is something that all of you don’t like to hear, but it is what you have to do.

A complete engine failure only occurs when it is too old and worn out to function. You can try to repair it, but you will be better off replacing the engine entirely.

There will be a few thousand dollars worth of expense, but your SUV will become brand new, at least internally.

A new engine will be free from all issues and breathe new life into your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start With New Battery?

You can avoid this problem by plugging it into a charger as soon as you bring it home.

It should take some hours to fully charge your new battery and then you can install it in your Mazda CX-5, so you won’t have to run into starting issues.

Q2. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start Even With A Jump?

Your CX-5’s alternator is a device that charges the battery and supplies power to the rest of your SUV’s electrical components. A bad alternator usually leads to the vehicle not starting.

If that is not the case with your vehicle, and even a jump from another vehicle does not help, then the battery is nearing the end of its lifespan.

Q3. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start But Lights Work?

The fact that the lights are working and the engine is not turning over means that the battery is low on charge. You may be wondering how this can happen.

There are two possible reasons. Either the alternator has malfunctioned, or you left the lights on overnight, leading to the battery getting drained.

Q4. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start But Cranks?

It is true that the Mazda CX-5 can have a problem starting and cranking. This could be due to a lack of fuel or failing spark plugs.

The first thing that you should do when your SUV cannot start is to check the gas tank. Make sure it is filled up to the right level, then try starting the car again.

Q5. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start Just Clicks?

The problem is usually an electrical issue, a dead battery, or a dead starter motor.

So first off, check to make sure that your battery is charged. If it isn’t, try jumping the car from another vehicle or using a battery charger.

If it still cannot turn on after doing this, it’s likely that you have an electrical issue and will need to take your Mazda CX-5 in for service.

Q6. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start In The Cold Weather?

If your Mazda CX-5 is having trouble starting in the cold weather, the problem may be your battery.

The most important thing is to make sure that the battery has high cold cranking amps (CA). If you need to replace your battery, buy one with at least 700 CA.

Q7. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start After I Get Gas?

There are a few reasons that this can happen, but the most common cause is a clogged fuel filter.

The fuel filter is responsible for keeping dirt out of the engine and preventing it from damaging your Mazda CX-5.

When this filter gets clogged, it can prevent proper fuel flow to the engine and make it impossible to start.

Q8. Why Won’t My Mazda CX-5 Start But Radio Works?

The first thing to check is your battery. If you’ve left the lights on or if it’s been a while since you last used it, your battery might be too low on charge to turn over your engine.

Try charging it for 30 minutes, then try starting it up again. If that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the battery.

Conclusion

I hope I’ve been able to answer your question, “Why won’t my Mazda CX-5 start?”. I know that when your car isn’t working properly, it’s frustrating and can leave you feeling helpless.

Luckily, I’ve got a solution for you! I’ve outlined all of the most common reasons above, so you can be sure you’re getting the right information.

Now you can finally diagnose the issue on your own and narrow down the source of information.

Hopefully, you can get back on the road in no time. Just make sure you get your SUV checked by a professional if you feel overwhelmed by the task of doing it yourself.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.