2013 Mazda CX-5 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mazda CX-5, most often about electrical system. There is 1 recall for this model year.

Complaints
40
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Median mileage
100,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 20 of 40 complaints (50%).
  • Engine (7) and transmission & drivetrain (5) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 100,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
  • The 2013 Mazda CX-5 has 1 recall on file.
  • It ranks 13th of 14 Mazda CX-5 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2013 Mazda CX-5 problems by category

  • Electrical System
    20 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    10 complaints
  • Engine
    7 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    5 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    3 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system20
Unknown or other10
Engine7
Power train4
Electronic stability control (esc)3
Vehicle speed control3
Seats2
Fuel/propulsion system2

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k130k–60k560k–100k10100k–150k1150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2013 Mazda CX-5 complaints that list mileage.

2013 Mazda CX-5 recalls (1)

  • Recall 16V644000Sep 6, 2016580,455 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

    Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

Recent 2013 Mazda CX-5 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Dec 26, 2025TXOther / Unknown
    Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service…
    NHTSA complaint #11707165 · source
  2. Filed Dec 26, 2025TXOther / Unknown
    Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service…
    NHTSA complaint #11707161 · source
  3. Filed Dec 26, 2025TXOther / Unknown
    Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service…
    NHTSA complaint #11707160 · source
  4. Filed Dec 26, 2025TXOther / Unknown
    Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service…
    NHTSA complaint #11707158 · source
  5. Filed Dec 26, 2025TXOther / Unknown
    Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11707155 · source
  6. Filed Dec 4, 2025PAOther / Unknown
    The lower control arm or axel on the front passenger side broke as I was backing out of a parking spot. It is still at the mechanic however that is what is required to put the wheel back on the vehicle. My understanding is that this is the second time I have had this problem with the lower control arm on this vehicle. That could be very dangerous if that happens while on the highway and I’m concerned there is a fundamental problem with this car if it has happened twice. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11702896 · source
  7. Filed Nov 5, 2025GAOther / Unknown
    The display on my rearview camera is extremely foggy. It appears to have had a breach where water has leaked into the camera itself. I have cleaned the lens but yo no avail. I never had a clear screen, and at times it is so bad that I can’t see anything at all. In fact, I have already backed into the corner of a building in a parking lot due to lack of visibility. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve attempted to back out and almost hit a pedestrian or another car…
    NHTSA complaint #11697633 · source
  8. Filed Jun 17, 2025TXAcceleration & Cruise Control
    When in the highway and changing lanes and you try to excelerate it doesnt take off ..instead just acts as if i had over excelerated but not speeding up.. i have almost been ran over because i could not get enough speed to switch lanes.
    NHTSA complaint #11667554 · source

Compare the 2013 Mazda CX-5 with another vehicle →

Other 2013 Mazda models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology