YearToAvoid

2013 Mazda Mazda5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#3 most-complained of 7 Mazda5 years

The 2013 Mazda Mazda5 has a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 3rd worst out of 7 model years, earning a "Caution" rating. NHTSA lists 24 complaints, 1 recall, 4 crashes, and 1 injury, with Brakes as the top problem area at 29% of complaints.

Complaints
24
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2013 Mazda Mazda5 problems

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

  1. Brakes7 (29%)
  2. Structure & Body6 (25%)
  3. Engine4 (17%)
  4. Steering4 (17%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (17%)
  6. Other3 (13%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
  8. Electrical System1 (4%)
  9. Fuel System1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the parking/emergency brake failing to hold the vehicle while parked, causing it to roll away and crash into objects like a fence or mailbox.
  • Some drivers describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor while braking at 40 mph, resulting in a rear-end collision with airbag deployment and a passenger injury.
  • Owners describe the vehicle surging or revving unexpectedly when the AC is on, even while braking, coasting, or in neutral.
  • Several complaints mention the head restraints tilting too far forward and only adjusting up or down, with one owner reporting their head hit the restraint after a sudden stop.
  • Tire tread was reported separating from the sidewall on the vehicle's Toyo tires at 38,000 miles, with one owner noting the tires were close to catastrophic failure.
  • Owners report the vehicle shaking violently at 50 mph with a bent rear rim, and rear-end instability requiring a manual gear shift to regain control.
2013 Mazda Mazda5 complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2013Jun 2014Sep 2015Oct 2016May 2017Jul 2019Jul 2022
32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2013 to Nov 2025; peak Jan 2016 (4).

2013 Mazda Mazda5 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 compared with other Mazda5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011No verdict010—
2012Avoid100371—
2013Caution67241—
2014Good33121—
2015Caution5091—

All Mazda Mazda5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mazda Mazda5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Mazda5 carries a Complaint Index of 67 and ranks 3rd worst of 7 model years, earning a "Caution" verdict relative to other Mazda5 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mazda Mazda5?
Brakes account for 29% of complaints, followed by Structure & Body issues at 25%, and Engine, Steering, and Suspension/Wheels/Tires each at 17%. Median mileage at brake-related failure was 14,950 miles.
Does the 2013 Mazda Mazda5 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 16V644000) covering a lift gate support replacement on the Structure & Body system, reported in September 2016. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2013 Mazda5 compare to other model years?
The 2013 model's Complaint Index of 67 is better than the 2010 (83, Avoid) and 2012 (100, Avoid) model years, but worse than the 2014 (33, Good) and 2015 (50, Caution) model years.
Were there any crashes reported for the 2013 Mazda5?
NHTSA lists 4 crashes and 1 injury among the 24 complaints filed for the 2013 Mazda5, with all 4 crashes tied to Brakes complaints.

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.