Both Squawk, for opposite reasons: the Honda risks a steering bill, the Mazda risks a cylinder head.

Steering leads recent federal filings: momentary resistance or notchiness turning off-center, especially at highway speed. Honda addressed similar symptoms on later models with bulletins and, for 2023+, a recall — for the 2019 there is no recall, so a dealer diagnosis can cost $150+ and a gearbox repair $1,000+ out of warranty. The highway test drive is your protection. Recent owner-reported dealer quotes for the full electric-power-steering gearbox assembly run $5,500–$5,700 (2026) — treat $1,000 as the floor, not the estimate.

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2019 CR-V · Mechanic channel and owner signal (5th-gen CR-V)

Fuel pump failure (stalling risk) is covered by recalls 21V-215/23V-858, plus a 2019-specific fuel tank weld defect (19V-569 — tank replaced free). Fuel/propulsion is the #2 complaint category, so these campaigns map to a real pattern. Verify both by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2019 CR-V

Phantom braking from the Honda Sensing suite remains a top complaint component this year. Include highway driver-assist behavior in the test drive.

Sources: NHTSA complaint and recall databases, 2019 CR-V

The signature 2019 failure and the bulk of the file. The cylinder head cracks behind the exhaust manifold; on the naturally aspirated 2.5 it leaks oil onto the hot exhaust, producing a burning smell and a fire hazard, and it recurs well under 100,000 miles. Mazda acknowledged the cracked heads and issued a revised design, but for the non-turbo engine there is no warranty extension — owners report the related program covers only coolant leaks, not the oil leak this engine produces, so out-of-warranty repairs are theirs. Inspect for oil near the exhaust and a burning smell, and get any engine-repair history in writing.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2019 Mazda CX-5 · Independent mechanic and owner channel transcripts (CX-5 second generation, incl. diesel)

On the turbocharged 2.5T, the same cracked-head problem shows up as a coolant leak at the cylinder head around the exhaust manifold rather than an oil leak. For this version Mazda ran CSP11, a Customer Service Program that extended the limited powertrain warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles and offered reimbursement. If you're looking at a 2.5T, this is the better-protected side of the same defect — confirm CSP11 is in the history and whether the repair was done.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (CSP11/SSPD8 windows, campaign documents) · Independent mechanic and owner channel transcripts (CX-5 second generation, incl. diesel)

The 2019's two recalls: 19V497 (Mazda 3719F) reprograms the powertrain control module — the PCM, the engine computer — after a software error that can stall the engine; 21V875 (Mazda 5321K) replaces a Denso low-pressure fuel pump whose impeller can crack and cause a stall (CX-5 scope confirmed 2018–2019). Both free. Confirm each is completed by VIN.

Sources: NHTSA recalls + manufacturer communications (CSP11/SSPD8 windows, campaign documents)