YearToAvoid

2023 Mazda CX-5 Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 15 engine complaints for the 2023 Mazda CX-5, 24% of its 62 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 4,000 miles, and there are no related recalls filed for this issue.

Engine complaints
15
24% of 62
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
4,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report unexpected low oil warnings between oil changes, sometimes needing a quart added after a few thousand miles despite no visible leaks.
  • Several drivers describe the vehicle surging or accelerating on its own during low-speed maneuvers like parking, requiring hard braking to stop.
  • One owner reported a leaking hydraulic tensioner for the serpentine belt that returned shortly after dealer service.
  • A check engine light tied to code P0524 (low oil pressure) reportedly kept returning even after being cleared at a service center.
  • One owner reported the engine light indicating a major malfunction and was later told the engine had failed at low mileage.
  • A fuel system complaint described a complete engine stall while idling after refueling in high heat, followed by a hard-start condition.

When 2023 Mazda CX-5 engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 7, 2023, latest Sep 4, 2026.

2023 Mazda CX-5 engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jul 2023Oct 2023Jan 2025Apr 2025May 2026Jul 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2025 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2023 Mazda CX-5

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by CX-5 model year

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

  1. 20121 (100%)
  2. 201356 (29%)
  3. 201446 (12%)
  4. 201526 (20%)
  5. 201649 (10%)
  6. 201720 (14%)
  7. 2018190 (54%)
  8. 2019142 (53%)
  9. 202022 (21%)
  10. 202188 (60%)
  11. 202214 (22%)
  12. 202315 (24%)
  13. 202411 (25%)
  14. 20259 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2023 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA lists 15 engine complaints for the 2023 CX-5, which is 24% of the 62 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2023 Mazda CX-5 engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls tied to the engine complaints filed for the 2023 CX-5.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2023 CX-5?
The median mileage at failure among reported engine complaints is 4,000 miles.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to engine complaints?
Yes. NHTSA records show 2 crashes and 1 injury among the engine-related complaints for the 2023 CX-5, with no fires reported.
How does the 2023 CX-5's engine complaint share compare to other years?
At 24% of total complaints, the 2023 CX-5 falls in the middle of the range seen across CX-5 model years, which spans from 10% in 2016 up to 60% in 2021.

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.