2013 Mazda CX-5
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 194 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 14 CX-5 model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 6 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateSep 6, 2016
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.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V644000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
194 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2025
Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2025
Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2025
Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2025
Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure. Mazda has had recalls and service bulletins related to shifter/ignition switches, particularly for models like the CX-5 and MX-5 (Miata) in years like 2013-2019, concerning worn shifter switch units (Part #KDY0-46-040) that can prevent the ignition from fully turning off in Park, potentially draining the battery or causing accidental activation. While some were major recalls (like the 1.4 million vehicle ignition switch issue in 2015), many were Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for the shifter switch issue where owners sometimes got repairs free even outside warranty due to the commonality.
Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2025
Shifter switch has gone out and no longer recognizes the car is in park, causes battery drainage because car cannot fully turn off. Car not recognizing gears can cause car accidents and possible loss of life. This issue can be found online as a known defect in mazda cx-5 that has not been recalled. Vehicle has been inspected and issue has been verified.There were no warning lights, sounds or symptoms of potential failure before failure.
Other or unspecified, Dec 4, 2025
The lower control arm or axel on the front passenger side broke as I was backing out of a parking spot. It is still at the mechanic however that is what is required to put the wheel back on the vehicle. My understanding is that this is the second time I have had this problem with the lower control arm on this vehicle. That could be very dangerous if that happens while on the highway and I’m concerned there is a fundamental problem with this car if it has happened twice. The first time the car was only a few years old. It was around 2016 if I recall correctly and Mazda fixed it.
Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2025
The display on my rearview camera is extremely foggy. It appears to have had a breach where water has leaked into the camera itself. I have cleaned the lens but yo no avail. I never had a clear screen, and at times it is so bad that I can’t see anything at all. In fact, I have already backed into the corner of a building in a parking lot due to lack of visibility. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve attempted to back out and almost hit a pedestrian or another car driving behind me that I couldn’t see well. It’s a good thing I use my mirrors and rear window, or that could have easily happened. I wonder if the work that was done on my rear hatch from a previous recall may have caused the seal protecting the camera unit to be compromised. There have been a number of recalls recently from other manufacturer’s, so I believe this is a common issue that should be addressed in my case as well.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 17, 2025
When in the highway and changing lanes and you try to excelerate it doesnt take off ..instead just acts as if i had over excelerated but not speeding up.. i have almost been ran over because i could not get enough speed to switch lanes.
Seats, Feb 3, 2024
I recently purchased this used vehicle. Right away, I noticed that when I used the recline lever, it didn't stop when removing my hand from it. I had to push the lever back to the middle position to stop it. I thought this was annoying, but didn't think much of it. On Thursday [XXX] I stopped at a gas station, went inside, and when I came back out the seat was fully reclined. It was so far back that it was lodged in the car seat behind the drivers seat. I tried to move the back up but it wouldn't come back up. The seat would move forward and back, but the recline level didn't work. I drove to my next destination with the seat all the way back. Then I turned the car off and on several times before it would go back up. I then picked up my kids, went to the grocery store and came back home. I turned the car off and went to the way back to get my groceries out, while my kids were still unbuckling. As I was in the back I heard them both start screaming. I ran back around and the drivers side seat was leaned at the way back, with my 6 year old trapped and the headrest part crushing her throat and chest. Thankfully, I was able to move it back up. If it hadn't worked to move up, like just a few hours previously, I don't know what I would have done but it would have been horrible. My daughter was screaming and crying and in a lot of pain. Her throat and chest were red and scratched. It appears that when I get out of the car my leg may slightly touch the recline button, and then it doesn't stop moving. This is incredibly dangerous. I looked it up online and found a couple other reports about it, including one about a baby trapped in a car seat. I can't believe there wasn't a recall. I took it to the dealer I bought it from, and it did continue to do the same thing. They are looking into ordering a new part. In the meantime it is unplugged underneath the seat, so it can't move. That brings on a dash light with the airbags, so I'm not sure if it means my airbag won't work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Aug 31, 2023
Turn the car off--but it does not turn off. I've had my battery run down so many times. The problem is a sensor in the gear shifter that is not telling the vehicle it’s in park. This is a huge reoccurring safety issue.
Electrical system, Apr 3, 2023
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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2023
While driving, 30 mph on Dempster Street in Niles, Illinois, the sunroof spontaneously exploded and shattered.
Steering, Feb 18, 2023
Ball joint broke gave out while turning
Engine, Aug 23, 2022
The car battery will not turn off when I turn off the vehicle.
Electrical system, May 26, 2022
My car does not turn off when you push the ignition button. I spoke to Mazda's parts manager about this, and his wife had the same issue and the same model and year as my car. He told me that it is the Parking Lever switch. I feel that not being able to turn your car off is a safety issue. I filed a safety issue with my 2013 Mazda CX-5 on May 26, 2022.
Electrical system, Apr 23, 2022
When you shut the car off the radio and other components do not shut down. You have to start the car back up and put in gear then back in park and shut the car off (sometimes two or three times) to get everything to shut down. This is getting worse over time.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 14, 2022
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.
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the PUSH to START button was not able to turn off the vehicle until after several attempts were made, which caused the battery to drain quickly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was waiting for a callback. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Power train, Oct 19, 2021
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Aug 23, 2021
My vehicle does not want to turn off when placed in park. The car is fully in the park position, but the start push button is illuminated with a red light. The power is still on, and the car beeps when door is open. I can only get the power to turn off, after repeatedly tapping the gear shift left, towards the P symbol. It is already fully seated in the park position, but this finally causes the light to go off and the car turns off. Always hoping the power did not turn back on while away from the car. Is this a fire hazard? I will not park my car in the garage as I am concerned it may overheat the wiring, electrical components, etc...??? I have noticed similar complaints for this vehicle on this website also.
Suspension, Jul 26, 2021
On Saturday afternoon 7/24 I was leaving a parking lot when my drivers side wheel detached from my front axle rod. I have around 90k miles on the vehicle. There was no indication of a part coming loose. Never noticed vibration of wheel or any resistance during movements. This should be a recall on the vehicle.
Power train, Electrical system, May 26, 2021
The contact owns a 2013 MAZDA CX5. The contact stated while attempting to shut off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off due to the transmission not being fully in PARK. The contact stated that there was an unknown flashing red warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 13, 2021
AFTER FIXING THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE CAR NOT FULLY TURNING OFF, THE CAR SUDDENLY DIED IN TRAFFIC AND WOULDN'T RESTART. REPLACING MASS AIR SENSOR, O2 SENSOR, AND PLUGS, THE CAR WILL DIE IN TRAFFIC WHEN COMING TO A STOP, BUT RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY. THE CODE SAYS THIS IS A PCM PROBLEM. INTERNET RESEARCH SAYS THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON RESULTING IN SAFETY RECALLS IN OTHER YEAR MODELS. 2013 SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 25, 2021
THE IGNITION ON MY 2013 MAZDA CX-5 WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE ENGINE WOULD START WITH THE GEARSHIFT LEVER IN PARK, BUT ONCE I DROVE TO A DESTINATION, PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT, AND PUT THE GEARSHIFT INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENTIRELY TURN OFF. IT WOULD TAKE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO MANIPULATE THE GEARSHIFT AROUND TO GET THE CAR TO TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD STILL BE ACTIVE, INCLUDING RADIO, DASH LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WOULD ALL REMAIN ON. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN TOWN, A "PARK SAFETY SWITCH" IN THE GEARSHIFT LEVER IS BEING AFFECTED, AND IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AFFECTING MAZDA CX-5 VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY RECALLS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANKS TO A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SUCH AS "MAZDA CX-5 WILL NOT TURN OFF", I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE SEVERAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS, POSTS ON REDDIT AND MAZDA FORUMS DISCUSSING THIS ISSUE. HAVING A VEHICLE WITH AN ISSUE WHERE YOU CANNOT TURN THE CAR OFF BECAUSE THE CAR "THINKS" THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT IN PARK IS UNSAFE AND A SAFETY HAZARD AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 23, 2021
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE THE CAR LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. ALL OF THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON AND I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT BUT I CANNOT TAKE THE VEHICLE OVER 30 MPH NOW WITHOUT IT SHUTTERING AND HAVING ACCELERATION ISSUES. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND LIFE THREATENING ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. I HAVE FOUND OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING BUT I SEE NO RECALL INFORMATION. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE MAZDA HAS LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST THEM. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND NOT A USAGE ERROR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.