2013 Mazda CX-5 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Mazda CX-5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical5822.5%
- Engine4316.7%
- Powertrain (other)3614.0%
- Driver assistance3312.8%
- Brakes2610.1%
- Body & structure155.8%
- Interior & seats135.0%
- Visibility114.3%
- Fuel system103.9%
- Steering41.6%
- Other / unspecified31.2%
- Suspension31.2%
- Transmission20.8%
- Airbags10.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car does not turn off when I put it in park and push the ON/OFF button. I have to start and turn off multiple times and jiggle the gear shift multiple times before it turns off. Sometimes even that doesn't work. Because the car doesn't completely turn off, it runs the battery down which leaves me dangerously stranded. The car is available for inspection. My safety is put at risk because it drains the battery and leaves me stranded, sometimes in dangerous situations unable to get assistance. I have not taken it to a dealer or service center but have seen MULTIPLE reports of other owners of this same vehicle having the same problem. The problem has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms before the problems started. It started a while ago but I'm not certain of the date. The messages I've read online of it happening to others are from several years ago, so this seems to be a problem that has been ongoing for several years that Mazda has failed to address.
My car does not turn off when you push the ignition button. I spoke to Mazda's parts manager about this, and his wife had the same issue and the same model and year as my car. He told me that it is the Parking Lever switch. I feel that not being able to turn your car off is a safety issue. I filed a safety issue with my 2013 Mazda CX-5 on May 26, 2022.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The car battery will not turn off when I turn off the vehicle.
My car won't shut off! I put it in park and turn it off and the accessories stay on. It is getting worse and worse and has taken up to 7 times of turning it off and on, backing it up and forward before it will just turn off for me. I get scared that it won't turn off. I found this forum online and it seems this is a very common problem that is not being addressed by Mazda. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t49115_ds799849 Not being able to turn my car off is a very big safety risk for me and my 2 year old son.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My vehicle does not want to turn off when placed in park. The car is fully in the park position, but the start push button is illuminated with a red light. The power is still on, and the car beeps when door is open. I can only get the power to turn off, after repeatedly tapping the gear shift left, towards the P symbol. It is already fully seated in the park position, but this finally causes the light to go off and the car turns off. Always hoping the power did not turn back on while away from the car. Is this a fire hazard? I will not park my car in the garage as I am concerned it may overheat the wiring, electrical components, etc...??? I have noticed similar complaints for this vehicle on this website also.
The contact owns a 2013 MAZDA CX5. The contact stated while attempting to shut off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off due to the transmission not being fully in PARK. The contact stated that there was an unknown flashing red warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT BUT I CANNOT TAKE THE VEHICLE OVER 30 MPH NOW WITHOUT IT SHUTTERING AND HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE FOUND OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING BUT I SEE NO RECALL INFORMATION. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE MAZDA HAS LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST THEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND NOT A USAGE ERROR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR WAS DEFORMED AND DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. MAZDA OF CLEAR LAKE (20101 GULF FWY, WEBSTER, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,750. *TR CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY CALLED ABOUT FAULTY BRAKE FOR 2013 MAZDA CX-5. REF #11232833. I WILL ATTACH PHOTOS OF FAULTY BRAKE AND GOOD BRAKE, BOTH FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THERE ARE MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE JUST OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME WITH LOW MILES, <30,000. ALL COMPLAINTS ARE WITHIN THE 0-30,000 MILE POINT. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
PURCHASED USED 2013 MAZDA CX-5 IN DECEMBER 2015. APRIL 2017 HAD REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO RUST. SCREECHING BEGAN, AGAIN, END OF JUNE 2019 WHILE DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS. CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, BRAKING AND NOT BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST, WITH THE LEFT-SIDE BEING EXTREMELY WORSE THAN THE RIGHT. SAID THE CALIPER MIGHT HAVE GONE BAD. COULDN'T EXPLAIN HOW THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN 2 YEARS. DID NOT MENTION ANY NOTICES FOR THIS FROM MAZDA OR HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR HATCH FAILS TO OPEN IN COLD WEATHER. I HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE CAR AND OPEN A SMALL HATCH TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE MANUALLY. AFTER I OPENED IT MANUALLY IT WORKED PROPERLY THE REST OF THE DAY. . CONTINUES TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OVER NIGHT IN COLD WEATHER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TUSTIN MAZDA (LOCATED AT 28 AUTO CENTER DR, TUSTIN, CA 92782) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I recently purchased this used vehicle. Right away, I noticed that when I used the recline lever, it didn't stop when removing my hand from it. I had to push the lever back to the middle position to stop it. I thought this was annoying, but didn't think much of it. On Thursday [XXX] I stopped at a gas station, went inside, and when I came back out the seat was fully reclined. It was so far back that it was lodged in the car seat behind the drivers seat. I tried to move the back up but it wouldn't come back up. The seat would move forward and back, but the recline level didn't work. I drove to my next destination with the seat all the way back. Then I turned the car off and on several times before it would go back up. I then picked up my kids, went to the grocery store and came back home. I turned the car off and went to the way back to get my groceries out, while my kids were still unbuckling. As I was in the back I heard them both start screaming. I ran back around and the drivers side seat was leaned at the way back, with my 6 year old trapped and the headrest part crushing her throat and chest. Thankfully, I was able to move it back up. If it hadn't worked to move up, like just a few hours previously, I don't know what I would have done but it would have been horrible. My daughter was screaming and crying and in a lot of pain. Her throat and chest were red and scratched. It appears that when I get out of the car my leg may slightly touch the recline button, and then it doesn't stop moving. This is incredibly dangerous. I looked it up online and found a couple other reports about it, including one about a baby trapped in a car seat. I can't believe there wasn't a recall. I took it to the dealer I bought it from, and it did continue to do the same thing. They are looking into ordering a new part. In the meantime it is unplugged underneath the seat, so it can't move. That brings on a dash light with the airbags, so I'm not sure if it means my airbag won't work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF
SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, I'M HAVING TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON TO TURN THE RADIO OFF AND COMPLETELY SHUT THE CAR DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE SUMMER OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE TO CRANK IT UP, PUT IT OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE, AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE. AFTER THAT, IT TURNS OFF. I HAVE PUSH TO START AND HAD THE CAR FOR FOUR YEARS PRE-OWNED. YESTERDAY, MY SISTER AND I WERE STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR DIDN'T START. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE AIR INTAKE OXYGEN SENSOR. THEY REPLACED IT PLUS THEY PUT IN A NEW CAR BATTERY. MY HUSBAND AND I THOUGHT IT WAS WEIRD, BUT NOW I'M WONDERING IF THE CAR ITSELF IS COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN WHEN I TURN IT OFF. NOW, THIS IS MAKING ME SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE REPAIR COST ME 490 SOMETHING.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
2013 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEATER CORE REPLACEMENT ISSUES. *LD UPDATED 06/20/2017*JS
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HEARD A SUDDEN SNAP LIKE SOUND ON THE WINDSCREEN, THEN I SAW A STAR SHAPED STONE CHIP APPEAR ON THE WINDSCREEN, ON THE RIGHT SIDE ABOUT AN 1 INCH FROM THE SIDE AND ABOUT 7 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSCREEN. I HAD DRIVEN NO MORE THAN ABOUT 100 FEET, WHEN A CRACK ABOUT 12 INCHES WAS ALREADY THERE. MY WARRANTY COVERS STONE CHIPS AND CRACKS LESS THAN 6 INCHES. THERE SEEM TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE CX 5 WINDSCREENS, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEM SIMILAR COMPLAINTS BY OTHER OWNERS IN FORUMS. OTHER VEHICLES YOU GET A STONE CHIP AND IT DOES NOT SPREAD THAT QUICKLY, AT LEAST YOU GET A OPPORTUNITY TO GO AND GET IT REPAIRED. I DID NOT EVEN GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND THE STONE CHIP HAD ALREADY SPREAD IN EXCESS OF 12 INCHES. *JS
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER FIXING THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR NOT FULLY TURNING OFF, THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED IN TRAFFIC AND WOULDN'T RESTART. REPLACING MASS AIR SENSOR, O2 SENSOR, AND PLUGS, THE CAR WILL DIE IN TRAFFIC WHEN COMING TO A STOP, BUT RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY. THE CODE SAYS THIS IS A PCM PROBLEM. INTERNET RESEARCH SAYS THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON RESULTING IN SAFETY RECALLS IN OTHER YEAR MODELS. 2013 SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT BUT I CANNOT TAKE THE VEHICLE OVER 30 MPH NOW WITHOUT IT SHUTTERING AND HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE FOUND OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING BUT I SEE NO RECALL INFORMATION. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE MAZDA HAS LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST THEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND NOT A USAGE ERROR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Ball joint broke gave out while turning
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE APPEARS TO STALL AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CAR FEELS AS THOUGH IT HAS SHUT OFF, AND NO ACCELERATION IS POSSIBLE. I AM FORCED TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER, AT WHICH POINT I MUST TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IN ORDER FOR THE CAR TO BE DRIVABLE. WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING, SEVERAL INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED, INCLUDING THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR, CHECK ENGINE, AT, AND TRACTION CONTROL INDICATORS. UPON RESTART, THE CHECK ENGINE REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THIS SAME INCIDENT HAS RECURRED 3X SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL 2012, INCLUDING MAY 2013, MAY 2014 AND AUGUST 2014. EACH TIME IT HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE JUST FILED A COMPLAINT WITH MAZDA. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 ISSUE BEGAN JUST OVER 100K MILES.
I HAVE HAD CONTINUOUS ISSUES WITH ALL FOUR OF MY WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER ONE WENT BAD, I HAD TO REPLACE IT. TWO WEEKS LATER, I HAD TO REPLACE A SECOND ONE, AND THEN THE FINAL TWO WHEEL BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACE ONLY A WEEK AFTER THAT. UPON TAKING IT TO ONE MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE MAZDA CX-5, AND THEY GET A LOT OF OWNERS THAT COME IN TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON MY OWN, AND REALIZED THAT WHAT THE MECHANIC HAD TOLD ME WAS TRUE. APPARENTLY, A LOT OF MAZDA OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I CALLED UP AN OFFICIAL MAZDA SERVICE CENTER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAD TOLD ME THAT THEY EVEN GET BRAND NEW CARS (CX-5) WITH LOW MILEAGE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SO IT'S NOT A MILEAGE ISSUE. THEY'RE CONSTANTLY REPLACING THE WHEEL BEARINGS FOR THE CX-5, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE HAS LOW OR HIGH MILEAGE. UNFORTUNATELY, MY CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY, SO TO REPLACE EACH WHEEL BEARING, IT HAS COST ME ABOUT $500 FOR EACH ONE. THAT IS $2000 IN REPAIRS FORA PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE VERY CONSISTENT WITH A LOT CX-5 MODELS. I HAVE OWNED OTHER CARS WITH THREE TIMES THE MILEAGE WITHOUT HAVING SUCH AN ISSUE. I THINK, PERHAPS, MAZDA SHOULD LOOK INTO AS A RECURRING ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH MANY MAZDA OWNERS. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT IS OF NO FAULT TO THE OWNER. PERHAPS MAZDA SHOULD CONSIDER RELEASING A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
On Saturday afternoon 7/24 I was leaving a parking lot when my drivers side wheel detached from my front axle rod. I have around 90k miles on the vehicle. There was no indication of a part coming loose. Never noticed vibration of wheel or any resistance during movements. This should be a recall on the vehicle.
PUT MY TRUCK IN GEAR D FOR DRIVE START DRIVING AND AT 5MPH ITS MAKING A NOISE LIKE A STANDARD TRANSMISSION DO WHEN YOU ARE IN THE WRONG GEAR SUCH AS TOO LOW. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY RADIO BECAUSE IT WAS SIZZLING AND THE READ OUT THAT THE STATION SHOW WAS NO LONGER SHOWING THE SONG OR ARTIST. SO I SWITCH TO ANOTHER STATION AND IS STILL MADE THE SOUND SO I PUT IN A CD AND LISTEN TO IT AND I HAD TO TURN VOLUME UP IN ORDER NOT TO HEAR THE SOUND. THE FASTER I DROVE THE LOUDER IT GOT. I ONLY HAVE 28,000 MILES SO TRANSMISSION SHOULDN'T BE BAD. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO WITH TIRE ROTATION AND FLUIDS CHECKED AND ALL WAS FINE.TAKING IT TO SHOP. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while shifting into the park the electronics failed to turn off. The contact vigorously shifted the gear shifter in several positions for approximately 10 to 15 minutes to turn off electronics. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact was concerned about the battery being drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2013 MAZDA CX-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING LIGHT,TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. *SMD THE DEALER ONLY ON REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY REPLACED, AS FLUSHING THE FLUID, WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND IT COST ME 1,000.00 TO REPAIR ,REPLACE SENSOR CAR IS LESS THAN 5YEARS OLD. ALSO THE PAINT CLEAR COAT HAS DETERIORATED BADLY DEALER SAYS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT THE PAINT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .