Mazda CX-5 Engine Problems

Intermittent problems are hard to fix because the mechanic really has nothing to go when everything is working. It could be an electrical connection, or a sensor. The only thing you can do is to persist and take it to the dealer when it happens again.

If you’d had your car serviced by the Mazda dealer you would have saved yourself the cost of the replacement alternator, and the inconvenience of trying to sort it out.

All of them would be good choices, but I would prefer the Mazda CX-5 or the Kia Sportage. Either would be fine.

I’m surprised that they couldn’t find the cause of the problem, but impressed that they are prepared to replace the car. I wouldn’t be too concerned about the problem happening again, but I would be upset that it will take four months for them to find you a replacement car. That’s unacceptable. I would expect them to move heaven and earth to get you a new car, after all they’ve got your money and now they’ve left you without a car. I hope that they have at least given you a courtesy car for the time you have to wait.

The advantage of the Sorento is that it's a seven-seater, so it will have more space for a big trip. Do not go for diesel unless you travel more than 30,000km a year, otherwise it will take too long to recoup the extra cost of the engine.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine in the CX-5 will give you the zip you want. If you need oomph for towing, go for the diesel.

You have to believe that Mazda has beefed up the mechanical components that take the extra load of systems like the stop-start system, so there's no reason to believe they will wear out or fail faster than they would on a car without the system. That said, I wouldn't use it if it were fitted to my car, the fuel savings are so small it's hardly worth the trouble.