Problems · NHTSA complaints

2023 Mazda CX-50 problems

Owners filed 65 complaints about the 2023 Mazda CX-50 with NHTSA between May 2022 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (16).

Complaints
65
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes16
  2. Forward collision avoidance14
  3. Electrical system9
  4. Power train7
  5. Structure6
  6. Suspension5
  7. Engine4
  8. Steering4
  9. Visibility/wiper3
  10. Seats3
  11. Air bags3
  12. Fuel/propulsion system2
  13. Latches/locks/linkages2
  14. Exterior lighting2

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20226
202313
202415
202514
202617

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

16 reports2 crashes
“On 1/14/2026, I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage when the vehicle abruptly accelerated causing the vehicle to hit the concrete wall in front of me. No braking assist or front collision warning issued. Airbags deployed. The car is currently at Joe Myers Collision Center in Houston, Texas to obtain an estimate for repair. The police did not respond to reported incident. Incident was reported to my insurance company immediately.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2026Service brakes, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11711337

Forward collision avoidance

14 reports5 crashes
“The contact owns a 2023 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 38 MPH. The contact stated he was approaching an intersection when a vehicle in front of him attempted to make a left turn but slowed down. The contact was unable to depress the brake pedal and turned the steering wheel to the left to avoid the crash, but he crashed into the corner of the passenger side rear bumper of the other vehicle. The contact was not sure of the damage to the other vehicle; his vehicle had damage to the right headlight and the front quarter panel. The contact stated that his vehicle was equipped with a front collision avoidance system, but the system had not engaged. The contact stated that no persons were injured. The contact stated that the police were on scene and wrote a report. The vehicle was driven to a collision center for repair. The contact had not had the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2026Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11729942

Electrical system

9 reports1 crash
“The temperature control dial on the climate control system behaves erratically and inconsistently. When turning the dial to increase temperature, the displayed temperature sometimes decreases. When turning it to decrease, it sometimes increases. The dial also jumps multiple units rather than incrementing one degree at a time. The behavior is unpredictable and occurs regardless of whether the engine is warm or cold. This issue has been confirmed by multiple other 2023 CX-50 owners in owner forums, suggesting a manufacturing defect in the encoder mechanism for the temperature control knob. The dealer confirmed the bumper-to-bumper warranty has expired but has not offered a resolution.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2026Electrical systemODI 11740817

Power train

7 reports
“My wife did a u turn to turn around in a parking lot and the left front axle snapped pulling back onto a very busy road and almost got hit by two other vehicles. Nothing has been confirmed by a dealer or inspected by a dealership yet since it just happened this evening on October 25th 2026. No warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to the failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Power trainODI 11773563

Structure

6 reports
“The driver's door is not opening from the inside. To open the driver's door while I am in the vehicle, I have to roll down the window and use the exterior door handle to exit the vehicle. This is a huge safety concern, as the window cannot be rolled down manually. If the car did not have power, I would have to break open the window. The potential for being trapped in the car with this defect is high. Several other owners of this car have reported this: [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2026Latches/locks/linkages, StructureODI 11722580

Suspension

5 reports1 crash
“Wear of Strut Bearing causing crunching sounds at low speed braking and turning. Dealer reports this is due to dirt and debris getting up there. Vehicle has 34,000 miles (out of warranty due to time) and has had only light use off-road on dirt roads (2 camping trips). Not repairing can cause further damage and failure of suspension components. Vehicle marketed as off-road capable but components not protected properly from dirt/debris from driving off-road.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2025SuspensionODI 11680836
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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