YearToAvoid

2013 Mazda CX-5 Structure & Body Problems

Structure & Body issues account for 28 complaints on the 2013 Mazda CX-5, or 14% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 30,000. A related recall (16V644000) covers liftgate support failures, though it is not a do-not-drive order.

Structure & Body complaints
28
14% of 194
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
30,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Liftgate fails to open or stay up, tied to recall 16V644000 for liftgate stay dampers, with some owners reporting long waits for replacement parts.
  • Front and rear headrests tilt occupants' heads forward and downward, forcing a slouched driving position.
  • Driver's seat clicks or jostles unexpectedly, a pattern some dealers described as common across CX-5 units.
  • Windshield develops cracks that spread from small chips within months of ownership, sometimes requiring full replacement.
  • Side and rear view mirrors vibrate or shake at highway speeds above 30 to 40 mph, making them hard to use.
  • Power driver's seat reclines fully on its own while driving or after the driver exits the vehicle.

When 2013 Mazda CX-5 body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 26, 2012, latest Feb 3, 2024.

2013 Mazda CX-5 structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Sep 2012Oct 2013Sep 2014Jan 2017Apr 2017Dec 2017May 2018Feb 2024
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2012 to Feb 2024; peak Oct 2013 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2013 Mazda CX-5

  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.

Structure & Body complaints by CX-5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20120 (0%)
  2. 201328 (14%)
  3. 201440 (11%)
  4. 201532 (24%)
  5. 201636 (7%)
  6. 201715 (10%)
  7. 201814 (4%)
  8. 201910 (4%)
  9. 20207 (7%)
  10. 20213 (2%)
  11. 20223 (5%)
  12. 20232 (3%)
  13. 20249 (20%)
  14. 20252 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are Structure & Body complaints on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA lists 28 Structure & Body complaints for the 2013 CX-5, which is 14% of all 194 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 liftgate?
Yes, recall 16V644000 covers liftgate support failures on 2010-2013 Mazda3, Mazdaspeed3, and related models; the remedy involves replacing both lift gate supports, though NHTSA notes parts were not always available.
At what mileage do 2013 CX-5 Structure & Body problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 30,000 miles.
Were there any injuries linked to Structure & Body complaints on the 2013 CX-5?
NHTSA data shows 3 injuries associated with Structure & Body complaints for the 2013 CX-5, with no crashes or fires reported.

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.