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2013 Mazda CX-5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
194
Latest Dec 26, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Sep 6, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7
8 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 194 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Mazda CX-5, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 823 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

Sep 6, 2016
580,455 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The 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.
Mazda North American OperationsManufacturer number 9916HView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Filed Dec 26, 2025

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 bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.

NHTSA ID
11707165
Incident
Dec 25, 2025
Filed Dec 26, 2025

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 bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.

NHTSA ID
11707161
Incident
Dec 25, 2025
Filed Dec 26, 2025

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 bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.

NHTSA ID
11707160
Incident
Dec 25, 2025
Filed Dec 26, 2025

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 bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.

NHTSA ID
11707158
Incident
Dec 25, 2025
Filed Dec 26, 2025

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 ID
11707155
Incident
Dec 25, 2025
Filed Dec 4, 2025

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 first time the car was only a few years old. It was around 2016 if I recall correctly and Mazda fixed it.

NHTSA ID
11702896
Incident
Nov 22, 2025
Filed Nov 5, 2025

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 driving behind me that I couldn’t see well. It’s a good thing I use my mirrors and rear window, or that could have easily happened. I wonder if the work that was done on my rear hatch from a previous recall may have caused the seal protecting the camera unit to be compromised. There have been a number of recalls recently from other manufacturer’s, so I believe this is a common issue that should be addressed in my case as well.

NHTSA ID
11697633
Incident
Sep 10, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 17, 2025

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 ID
11667554
Incident
Jun 9, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SA-041-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE

This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. Examples: 1. Devices connected to the DLC-2 (battery discharge/DTC stored) 2. Devices plugged into the 12V outlet 3. GPS tracking device (engine no start/battery discharge) 4. Dash cam (DTC stored) 5. Non-certified USB cable (Apple Carplay™/ Android Auto™ will not connect) 6. Over-sized wheels/tires (incorrect GPS location) 7. DTC C0023:14 8. Decorative trim and/or cover on the START/STOP ENGINE button Example 1: Some electrical devices connected to the DLC-2 connector by insurance or mobile phone companies may cause: Battery discharge. The device may disrupt the CAN system battery saver mode. • IDS/MMDS will not communicate with the vehicle due to poor DLC-2 connection. The aftermarket device may cause DLC-2 female terminals to spread open.

01-008-26

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto tensioner fully operates under both high ambient temperature and high load conditions. To eliminate this concern, the shape of the drive belt auto tensioner damper has been changed. REPAIR PROCEDURE If the tensioner is found to be "No Good" after completing the Drive Belt Auto Tensioner Inspection, replace it with a modified part according to the instructions on MGSS online:

SA-031-26

STRUCTURE:BODY

DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a replacement vehicle certification label (located on the B􀀀pillar or front door), contact your assigned DSM (District Service Manager) to place the order. If DSM contact information is not available, refer to the Dealer & Field Contact Directory.

SA-029-26

ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance. Workshop Manual - Refer to section 00-00 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. Owner's Manual - Refer to section 8 Maintenance and Care. b. Note: Please refer to the information below outlining the services not included in Mazda's Factory Scheduled Maintenance: IMPORTANT: Recommending fluid flushes when not necessary can lead to customer confusion and dissatisfaction. Fluid flushing for preventive maintenance purposes is strongly discouraged, unless otherwise specified in a published procedure (Owner’s Manual, Workshop Manual, Technical Service Bulletin, etc.).

SA-023-26

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-003/22 03/02/22 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill. The concern will likely occur if the fuel tank is overfilled (more fuel is added after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off automatically) or filled up normally in high ambient temperatures and the fuel expands. No repair is needed. Explain to the customer not to continue filling after nozzle shut off.

SA-021-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor front harness ground connection. NOTE: DO NOT paint ground point (3) attachment bolt (4) is seated. NEWLY INSTALLED FRONT FENDER STAY NOTE: CAUTION: If the bolt (4) contact area (3) is painted when the front fender stay (2) is newly replaced, it could cause a malfunction in the PCM. Before painting a newly replaced part, protect the bolt (4) contact area (3) with masking tape (5) as shown in the figure.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda CX-5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026120037.2
2025250054.9
2024410048.4
2023590049.0
2022620049.8
20211430044.5
20201060049.0
20192652054.3
20183473057.2
20171481047.1
20165105055.9
20151334051.6
20143774045.8
2013Viewing1941041.2
2012100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.