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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Mazda CX-5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 194 owner complaints for the 2013 Mazda CX-5. Most complaints involve electrical system (58) and engine (42). The EPA rates it 27–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27–29mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2016
Owner complaints
194
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported Sep 6, 2016NHTSA 16V644000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

194 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2012 – Dec 2025
  1. Electrical system58
  2. Engine42
  3. Power train38
  4. Service brakes24
  5. Vehicle speed control22
  6. Structure15
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)15
  8. Seats13
  9. Fuel/propulsion system9

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CX-5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013194
2014377
2015133
2016512
2017150
2018122
2019273
2020110
2021148
202265
202367
202447
202529
202617
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

58 reports1 fire
“The car does not turn off when I put it in park and push the ON/OFF button. I have to start and turn off multiple times and jiggle the gear shift multiple times before it turns off. Sometimes even that doesn't work. Because the car doesn't completely turn off, it runs the battery down which leaves me dangerously stranded. The car is available for inspection. My safety is put at risk because it drains the battery and leaves me stranded, sometimes in dangerous situations unable to get assistance. I have not taken it to a dealer or service center but have seen MULTIPLE reports of other owners of this same vehicle having the same problem. The problem has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms before the problems started. It started a while ago but I'm not certain of the date. The messages I've read online of it happening to others are from several years ago, so this seems to be a problem that has been ongoing for several years that Mazda has failed to address.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2023Electrical systemODI 11515272

Engine

42 reports1 crash
“My car won't shut off! I put it in park and turn it off and the accessories stay on. It is getting worse and worse and has taken up to 7 times of turning it off and on, backing it up and forward before it will just turn off for me. I get scared that it won't turn off. I found this forum online and it seems this is a very common problem that is not being addressed by Mazda. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t49115_ds799849 Not being able to turn my car off is a very big safety risk for me and my 2 year old son.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2022Electrical system, EngineODI 11456579

Power train

38 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while shifting into the park the electronics failed to turn off. The contact vigorously shifted the gear shifter in several positions for approximately 10 to 15 minutes to turn off electronics. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact was concerned about the battery being drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2021Power trainODI 11437327
All 2013 CX-5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CX-5 2WD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200306
CX-5 2WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263228$2,300311
CX-5 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
253027$2,400324
  • CX-5 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • CX-5 2WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • CX-5 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Mazda CX-5 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 7376Vehicle 7375
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 CX-5 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Mazda CX-5 problems?

Owners filed 194 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (58), engine (42), power train (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Mazda CX-5 at 27–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Mazda CX-5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Mazda CX-5 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026