2023 Mazda CX-5 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Mazda CX-5, most often about engine. There are 0 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 64
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 8
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Median mileage
- 10,064 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 12 of 64 complaints (19%).
- Brakes (11) and driver assistance & safety tech (10) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 10,064 mi.
- Owners reported 8 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries.
- It ranks 7th of 14 Mazda CX-5 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2023 Mazda CX-5 problems by category
- Engine12 complaints
- Brakes · 3 crashes11 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 2 crashes10 complaints
- Lighting10 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash10 complaints
- Electrical System · 2 crashes9 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers7 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control · 2 crashes4 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash3 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts3 complaints
- Steering · 1 crash2 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion2 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
- Body & Structure1 complaints
- Suspension1 complaints
- Airbags · 1 crash1 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 |
|---|---|
| Service brakes | 11 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 |
| Unknown or other | 10 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Electrical system | 9 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control | 4 |
| Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking | 4 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2023 Mazda CX-5 recalls (0)
No recalls on file.
Recent 2023 Mazda CX-5 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 5, 2026NJLighting
I began hearing a loud engine noise similar to a lawn mower whenever my headlights would come on which includes just when I unlock my car. When I first took it back to the Mazda dealership for servicing and mentioned this to the service manager he told me it was an issue with the headlights that they’ve been seeing. They returned the car to me and said they did not hear it. Then after my warranty ended it got worse and when I brought it back to the dealership they stated…
NHTSA complaint #11768904 · source - Filed Sep 28, 2026FLLighting
At 44,000 miles, a loud whirring noise started to occur that is due to the failing of the internal LED cooling fan in my left headlamp. I cannot use my headlights, which is a safety concern.
NHTSA complaint #11767366 · source - Filed Sep 4, 2026WABrakesEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
When my car starts up, engine rpm is around 1500 or above 1000. If I would switch to reverse, the car sudden jerks back stronger and quicker than I expected even though my foot isn’t on the accelerator pedal and have pressed the brake lightly.
NHTSA complaint #11762062 · source - Filed Sep 2, 2026PABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
On 09/01/2026 at approximately 55 mph, I was driving with adaptive cruise control engaged. The vehicle ahead decelerated abruptly. My vehicle began braking hard with no input from me for a fraction of a second. A red BRAKE warning appeared in the instrument cluster with an audible alarm. I then applied the brake pedal hard. On first contact the pedal barely moved from its rest position and was extremely firm. About a second into my application, while still traveling at over…
NHTSA complaint #11761780 · source - Filed Aug 18, 2026MASeats & Seat Belts
We purchased a certified pre-owned Mazda CX-5 from Wellesley Mazda in [XXX] on XXX. As soon as we got home and tried to exit the vehicle, we noticed that the driver's seatbelt was not releasing. Since then, we have noticed that the seat belt has not latched or unlatched properly. Our concern is that a manufacturer-certified vehicle was delivered to a consumer with an intermittently failing primary locking restraint mechanism. There should have been a 160-point inspection…
NHTSA complaint #11757773 · source - Filed Jul 2, 2026MAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine stall while idling immediately after fueling the gas tank to capacity on a day with high ambient temperatures (over 100°F). Leading up to the stall, the vehicle was subjected to temporary auxiliary loads (Max AC running and active steering input). Immediately following the stall, the vehicle exhibited a hard-start condition and would not catch fire. After sitting turned off for several minutes, the vehicle restarted…
NHTSA complaint #11748088 · source - Filed Jun 26, 2026ILEngine
Check Engine Light Code P0524 - Low Oil Pressure. Everything check out fine. Checked all the suggested TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) possibilities from a respected and qualified service center. Cleared the code and it keeps coming back on.
NHTSA complaint #11746636 · source - Filed Jun 3, 2026PASeats & Seat Belts
The passenger seat occupancy sensor goes off intermittently, causing an extremely distracting seatbelt alarm in the vehicle during operation. This has occurred to me while driving on a highway; I deeply lost focus on controlling the vehicle as the alarm started suddenly, I shoved the one water bottle off the seat to no avail, and I had to reach way over to plug the seatbelt in to silence it. In other instances where this occurs, only a full restart of the vehicle will reset…
NHTSA complaint #11741933 · source
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Other 2023 Mazda models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 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