Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2023 Mazda CX-5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 67 owner complaints for the 2023 Mazda CX-5. Most complaints involve service brakes (12) and exterior lighting (11). The EPA rates it 24–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–26mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
67
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2023 Mazda CX-5 as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

67 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Service brakes12
  2. Exterior lighting11
  3. Engine10
  4. Electrical system9
  5. Visibility/wiper6
  6. Forward collision avoidance6
  7. Lane departure5
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Power train3

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
8
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
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

Service brakes

12 reports3 crashes
“When my car starts up, engine rpm is around 1500 or above 1000. If I would switch to reverse, the car sudden jerks back stronger and quicker than I expected even though my foot isn’t on the accelerator pedal and have pressed the brake lightly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineODI 11762062

Exterior lighting

11 reports
“I began hearing a loud engine noise similar to a lawn mower whenever my headlights would come on which includes just when I unlock my car. When I first took it back to the Mazda dealership for servicing and mentioned this to the service manager he told me it was an issue with the headlights that they’ve been seeing. They returned the car to me and said they did not hear it. Then after my warranty ended it got worse and when I brought it back to the dealership they stated they had never heard of this happening before and said that I brought my car for an air-conditioning issue. When identified that a service manager had told me that this is something they’re saying they then agreed to pay to have the headlight fixed. Initially they told me I was gonna have to pay approximately $1500 out-of-pocket because my warranty had ended to have it replaced. As I proved that I told them about this before the warranty was ended they covered the cost of it and replaced it. Two weeks ago the noise came back. When I look on the Internet and put in the search terms of loud noise when headlights come on is a common complaint. This seems to be a design flaw which is affecting the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Exterior lightingODI 11768904

Engine

10 reports
“The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine stall while idling immediately after fueling the gas tank to capacity on a day with high ambient temperatures (over 100°F). Leading up to the stall, the vehicle was subjected to temporary auxiliary loads (Max AC running and active steering input). Immediately following the stall, the vehicle exhibited a hard-start condition and would not catch fire. After sitting turned off for several minutes, the vehicle restarted normally. The incident left no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) or Check Engine Lights. Independent of this event, the vehicle intermittently exhibits a raw gasoline vapor smell inside the cabin at idle, alongside slight hesitations during low-speed steering maneuvers. This presents a safety hazard due to unexpected loss of motive power immediately after refueling in high-traffic gas station environments.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 2, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11748088
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
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 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel Drive
243026$2,450337
CX-5 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel Drive
222724$2,700370
  • CX-5 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    24 city · 30 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • CX-5 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    22 city · 27 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
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

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 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 17236
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

2023 CX-5 questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Mazda CX-5 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.

What are the most common 2023 Mazda CX-5 problems?

Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (12), exterior lighting (11), engine (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Mazda CX-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Mazda CX-5 at 24–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2023 Mazda CX-5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Mazda CX-5 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026