Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Mazda CX-5 visibility problems
moderate 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 9 visibility complaints filed for the 2013 Mazda CX-5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. The newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some customers may complain the HVAC system not maintaining the correct temperature or the ambient (outside) temperature reading incorrectly. This is caused by a failure in the ambient temperature sensor. To correct this issue, the ambient temperature sensor has been modified.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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…
At highway speeds the driver's side mirror shakes uncontrollably, rendering it virtually useless. Cars are all but a blur at and above 55 MPH. The dealer said it is a known issue (and said he submitted a tsb) and did nothing to remedy the issue. When presented with the "repair guidance" reference # r042/13a, they said it was a fix for the "european cx-5, not the us version" and would not fix the…
Driving on freeway a small pebble hit the far right, mid level of windshield about 3 inches from edge. I heard a loud pop sound and then a small star-shape ding appeared. Within 5 minutes the crack grew to about 2.5 feet long. *tr
Had visibility trouble with your 2013 Mazda CX-5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 18,354 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Mazda/CX-5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.