YearToAvoid

2013 Mazda CX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

46/100

#8 most-complained of 14 CX-5 years

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 has 194 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 46, ranking 8th worst out of 14 model years — a 'Good' result relative to other CX-5 years. The top problem area is the Electrical System, at 30% of complaints, with one recall on file.

Complaints
194
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
6 / 1
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
28
26 city / 32 hwy

Top 2013 Mazda CX-5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System58 (30%)
  2. Engine56 (29%)
  3. Brakes40 (21%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain38 (20%)
  5. Other28 (14%)
  6. Structure & Body28 (14%)
  7. Fuel System10 (5%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers10 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
  10. Steering4 (2%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly fail to respond during normal stops, leading to rear-end crashes at low speed and in traffic.
  • Owners describe the vehicle continuing to travel forward even after firmly pressing or pumping the brake pedal.
  • One owner reported smoke and flames coming from the electrical fuse panel under the dashboard while driving at low speed, which melted the dashboard.
  • Engine problems include sudden unintended acceleration after starting, with the brake pedal and shifting to neutral or park failing to stop the vehicle.
  • Some owners report the engine bucking, revving, or lurching after braking, occurring repeatedly over time.
  • A driver-side mirror was reported to vibrate at highway speed without being repaired.
2013 Mazda CX-5 complaints: complaints filed per quarter182012 Q32014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12018 Q32020 Q12021 Q42023 Q3
280 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q3 to 2025 Q4; peak 2018 Q1 (18).

2013 Mazda CX-5 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V644000Sep 6, 2016Structure & Body580,455 vehicles

    Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

    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.

2013 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26 MPG
Highway
32 MPG
Combined
28 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other CX-5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012No verdict010—
2013Good46194128
2014Avoid85377327
2015Best23133327

All Mazda CX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Compared with other CX-5 model years, the 2013 CX-5 ranks 8th worst out of 14 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 46 and a 'Good' verdict. It has fewer complaints (194) than several later years like 2014, 2016, and 2018.
What is the top problem area for the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 30% of complaints (58 total), including one fire report. Engine issues follow closely at 29% of complaints.
Does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall for the 2013 CX-5, campaign 16V644000, covering the Structure & Body area related to lift gate supports.
Are there brake problems on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Brakes account for 21% of complaints (40 total), with 3 crashes reported and a median failure mileage of 29,750 miles. Owners describe brake pedals that failed to stop the vehicle.
How does the 2013 CX-5 compare to the 2014 and 2016 CX-5?
The 2013 CX-5 has a Complaint Index of 46, well below the 2014 CX-5's 85 and the 2016 CX-5's 100, both rated 'Avoid'. The 2013 model year performs better in comparison.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.