Verdict
2013 Mazda CX-5: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2013 Mazda CX-5 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.
Owners filed 194 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 65% of 2013 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (25%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2013 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
194
Reports to NHTSA, 2013
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
28
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 65% of 2013 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2013 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (25% of 194 reports), followed by power train (18%).
+ 10 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 194 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10494438, ODI 11515272, ODI 11466253, ODI 11461904, ODI 11456579.
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
StructureJun 2016 · 16V644000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2013 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2013 Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-5 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 | 34 | 29 |
| CX-5 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 | 32 | 28 |
| CX-5 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 25 | 30 | 27 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2013 Mazda CX-5: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Owners filed 194 NHTSA complaints about the 2013 Mazda CX-5 — more complaints than 65% of comparable 2013 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (25% of complaints) and power train (18%).
How many recalls does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2013 Mazda CX-5, covering components such as structure. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Mazda CX-5 between 27 and 29 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.