VehicleVerdict

2013 Mazda CX-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 292 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median CX-5 year — the 2013 model ranks #5 of 15 CX-5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 73 reports (25% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

292

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other CX-5 years?

CX-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted624 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 292 complaints2014: 492 complaints2015: 167 complaints2016: 624 complaints2017: 195 complaints2018: 469 complaints2019: 353 complaints2020: 152 complaints2021: 189 complaints2022: 83 complaints2023: 82 complaints2024: 61 complaints2025: 45 complaints2026: 16 complaints
CX-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Mazda CX-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System7325%
Engine4315%
Transmission3813%
Other2810%
Brakes269%
Speed Control228%
Body & Structure155%
Seats145%
Visibility & Wipers114%
Fuel System103%
Steering41%
Suspension31%
Tires & Wheels31%
Airbags21%

Does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V644000Body & StructureSeptember 6, 2016 · 580,455 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SMOKE BEGAN TO FILL THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ELECTRICAL FUSE PANEL THAT WAS UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THE FIRE MELTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 22, 2013 · fire

“THE CAR RANDOMLY ACCELERATES AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. IT BUCKS, REVS, LURKS THEN STOPS. IT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIME TO-DATE. TODAY, 6/20, I TAPPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. NO DAMAGED BUT IT IS THE CLOSES TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT SINCE I NOTICED THIS ISSUE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO PACIFICO FORD IN PA TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 20, 2017 · crash

“BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 40K MILES ON IT FROM A MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN AURORA COLORADO IN 2017. I'M AT 106K NOW AND I THOUGHT I NEEDED WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. TURNS OUT IT'S THE DRIVE TRAIN AND A TRANSMISSION FAILING. MY VEHICLE HUMS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEN I ACCELERATE. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 1, 2020

“WHEN TURNING OFF ENG, VIA PRESSING THE ELECTRONIC START/STOP BUTTON. THE RADIO STAYS ON. UNLESS YOU PRESS THE BUTTON TO TURN ON THE ACCESSORIES, THEN PRESSING BRAKE DOWN, THEN MOVING THE AUTOMATIC SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO DRIVE, TO PARK AGAIN AND PRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON AGAIN, THEN THE RADIO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 7, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING FOR AN APPROACHING INTERSECTION, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 3, 2014 · crash

2013 Mazda CX-5 — common questions

Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 292 complaints put the 2013 model at #5 of 15 CX-5 years. It is one of the CX-5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 CX-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (73 complaints), engine (43 complaints), transmission (38 complaints).

Does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2013 Mazda CX-5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mazda CX-5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-5 years to avoid are 2016, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2013. The cleanest record among CX-5 years belongs to 2012.

How safe is the 2013 Mazda CX-5?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.