The 2013 Mazda Mazda2 has 13 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 4 complaints, typically surfacing around 35,667 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Mazda2?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Mazda Mazda2? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 35,667 mi · ~$700 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
steering (~$700) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Mazda2· steering
Progressive power steering rack failure power steering rack, while turning, makes audible clunking/popping noise accompanied by vibration and excessive play in steering. Most noticeable when making a low-speed three point turn, I.e. Backing into or out of a parking space.…
Rear shocks had to be replaced after 65,000 mi. No sign of an issue prior. Drove to and from work on a sunday, monday morning all fluid has leaked onto my driveway.
Takata inflators , my car makes a rumbling noirs comming from my back tires which sounds like the rear wheel hub and the dealership is telling me that it's my back tires and went to another place and they told me it is the rear wheel hubs
Had a problem with your 2013 Mazda Mazda2?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.6 out of 10 based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Mazda Mazda2 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Mazda Mazda2?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Mazda Mazda2 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Mazda Mazda2?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 4 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,667 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Mazda Mazda2 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 13 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 35,667 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Mazda Mazda2?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 4 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 35,667 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 35,667 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda Mazda2 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 Mazda2?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 13 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 6 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Mazda/Mazda2.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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