Mazda CX-5 problems
0 safety recalls. 194 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
STARTED HEARING A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS MY CAR THE FIRST FEW TIMES IT HAPPENED, THINKING WHAT COULD BE WRONG ON A CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD!?! A FEW DAYS LATER, THE NOISE BECAME MORE REGULAR WHEN BRAKING, AND WAS GRINDING…
WHILE IN MOTION, THE MOTORIZED DRIVER SEAT MOVES UP, BACK, AND FORWARD EVEN THOUGH NOTHING IS TOUCHING THE MOVEMENT LEVER. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE DRIVER SEAT INTERMITTENTLY FULLY RECLINES ON ITS OWN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY ADDRESSED…
I STARTED HEARING A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS MY CAR THE FIRST FEW TIMES IT HAPPENED, THINKING WHAT COULD BE WRONG ON A CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD!?! A FEW DAYS LATER, THE NOISE BECAME MORE REGULAR WHEN BRAKING, AND WAS GRINDING…
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…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 194 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Mazda CX-5 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 48 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda CX-5 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 194 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.