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.
Electrical system, Mar 23, 2021
THE SHIFTER POSITION SWITCH IS DEFECTIVE. IT DOES NOT ALWAYS SHUT OFF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHEN THE SHIFTER IS PLACED INTO PARK AND THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC, REMAIN ON EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. APPARENTLY IT CAUSED BY A SMALL PART THAT WAS MADE OF RUBBER THAT DRIES OUT AND BREAKS DOWN. IT IS REPLACED BY A PLASTIC PART THAT RESISTS WEAR AND TEAR AND LASTS FAR LONGER. MAZDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART FOR FREE.
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2021
AFTER YOU SHUT THE CAR ENGINE OFF THE IGNITION IS STILL ON. WHILE IN PARK I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP AND FOUND OUT THAT IT'S A WORN OUT SWITCH. IN THESE CARS THIS HAD HAPPENED A WHILE BACK BUT IT'S GETTING WORSE LIKE EVERY TIME NOW
Electrical system, Mar 17, 2021
IJUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A CAR DEALER. I GET IT HOME AND FIND THIS OUT. SEEMS IT IS A COMMON ISSUE AND COMPLAINT ONLINE WITH A FIX OF OVER $200 IN PARTS AND LABOR. (ALL OUR VEHICLES ARE MAZDAS. I PURPOSELY BOUGHT A MAZDA BECAUSE I BELIEVED THEY WERE RELIABLE. I AM SORELY DISAPPOINTED THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS. WHEN CAR IS PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF. AUXILLARY POWER KEEPS RUNNING NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO LOCK. RADIO TURNS BACK ON. THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO CONTINUALLY TRY TO JIGGLE THE GEAR SHIFT OR TAKE CAR OUT OF PARK AND BACK IN.
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHUT-OFF WHILE DEPRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON. AFTER PRESSING THE START/STOP BUTTON TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF HOWEVER, THE ELECTRONICS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINED ACTIVATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND ADVISED TO PAY $395 FOR REPAIRS BEING AS THOUGH THE CONSUMER WAS NOT AT FAULT.
Electrical system, Seats, Engine, Nov 22, 2020
SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, I'M HAVING TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON TO TURN THE RADIO OFF AND COMPLETELY SHUT THE CAR DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE SUMMER OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE TO CRANK IT UP, PUT IT OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE, AND PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE. AFTER THAT, IT TURNS OFF. I HAVE PUSH TO START AND HAD THE CAR FOR FOUR YEARS PRE-OWNED. YESTERDAY, MY SISTER AND I WERE STRANDED BECAUSE MY CAR DIDN'T START. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE AIR INTAKE OXYGEN SENSOR. THEY REPLACED IT PLUS THEY PUT IN A NEW CAR BATTERY. MY HUSBAND AND I THOUGHT IT WAS WEIRD, BUT NOW I'M WONDERING IF THE CAR ITSELF IS COMPLETELY SHUTTING DOWN WHEN I TURN IT OFF. NOW, THIS IS MAKING ME SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE REPAIR COST ME 490 SOMETHING.
Structure, Nov 18, 2020
THE REAR HATCH FAILS TO OPEN IN COLD WEATHER. I HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE CAR AND OPEN A SMALL HATCH TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE MANUALLY. AFTER I OPENED IT MANUALLY IT WORKED PROPERLY THE REST OF THE DAY. . CONTINUES TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED OVER NIGHT IN COLD WEATHER.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LESTER GLENN MAZDA (101 NJ-37 E, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753, (888)422-5041) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.*DT*JB*DT*JB
Electrical system, Sep 27, 2020
ON MANY OCCASIONS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND I TRY TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES AND LIGHTS STAY ON. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS IN PARK.IT HAS PUSH START BUTTON. I HAVE HAD TO TRY REPEADLY TO TURN OFF AND ON TO MANAGE TO TURN IT OFF. IF YOU LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS STATE, IT WILL NOT LOCK AND THE BATTERY WILL DRAIN WHICH THEN BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE. BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT LOCK AND THE VEHICLE CAN GET STOLEN. I HAVE SEEN ONLINE MANY HAVE THIS ISSUE. THE ONLY WAY I AM ABLE TO TURN IT OFF IS TOO HOLD THE SHIFT ON PARK AND PUT PRESSURE SO THE SENSOR WILL GRAB AND PUSH THE POWER BUTTON AT THE SAME TIME. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED THE SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE.
Power train, Wheels, Sep 26, 2020
BOUGHT MY CAR WITH 40K MILES ON IT FROM A MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN AURORA COLORADO IN 2017. I'M AT 106K NOW AND I THOUGHT I NEEDED WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. TURNS OUT IT'S THE DRIVE TRAIN AND A TRANSMISSION FAILING. MY VEHICLE HUMS ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEN I ACCELERATE. THIS ISSUE BEGAN JUST OVER 100K MILES.
Electrical system, Aug 30, 2020
WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF THE CAR, IT REMAINS ON. I THEN HAVE TO SHIFT GEARS TO R THEN BACK TO P AND TURN IT OFF AGAIN TO COMPLETELY SHUT THE CAR OFF. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 17, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DECELERATING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL WINDING AND GRINDING NOISE DETECTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE REPAIRS ON THE AXLE AND THE MECHANIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL WINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANS AXLE BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
Electrical system, Aug 17, 2020
AFTER PRESSING THE "ON/OFF" BUTTON, THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT COMPLETELY OFF (RADIO/LIGHTS/ACCESSORIES REMAIN ON). TO RESOLVE, YOU HAVE TO ESSENTIALLY JAM THE SHIFTER BACK AND FORTH, RATHER STRONGLY (OUT OF PARK) BEFORE TRYING TO TURN IT OFF AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS MORE THAN IT DOESN'T AND AT SOME POINT, I AM CONCERNED IT WONT SHUT OFF. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY. WHEN LOOKING FOR POSSIBLE REASONS WHY AND SOLUTIONS, THERE ARE A LOT OF MESSAGE BOARDS REVEALING THIS AS AN ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN GENERATED. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL IN PLACE? THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING UPWARDS OF OVER A YEAR AT LEAST.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 13, 2020
THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE I PUT MY CAR INTO PARK (THEREFORE BEING STATIONARY), PRESS THE BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND THE CAR DOES NOT FULLY SHUT DOWN. IT APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE STEERING SENSOR NOT FULL RECOGNIZING THAT THE CAR IS IN PARK AND THEREFORE NOT SHUTTING OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY. IN ORDER TO GET THE CAR TO COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, THE CAR HAS TO BE SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK/ACTIVELY TURNING ON AND OFF THE CAR SOMETIMES AS MANY AS 5-6 TIMES IN ORDER FOR IT TO FULLY SHUT DOWN. I HAVE READ DOZENS OF REPORTS OF OTHER MAZDA OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. CARS BEING UNINTENTIONALLY LEFT ON IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jul 2, 2020
WAS DRIVING WHEN CAR SHUT DOWN FOR A SECOND AND TRACTION CONTROL, TIRE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD NO POWER AND THE REAR TIRES WERE NOT SPINNING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT IT OFF. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND ONLY THE TIRE LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT WERE ON AND I HAD POWER. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ANOTHER 30 MILES BEFORE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Feb 7, 2020
THIS IS A "PUSH BUTTON" START VEHICLE. WHEN YOU PUSH THE BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE, THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS / ACCESSORIES REMAIN ON INSTEAD OF TURNING OFF WITH THE ENGINE. THERE IS NO KEY TO REMOVE SO YOU CANNOT MANUALLY TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS / ACCESSORIES. EVEN UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE AND LOCKING IT, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS REMAIN "ON" EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE IS OFF. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE GEAR SHIFT SHOWS PARK. IT SEEMS THAT SOME TYPE OF SENSOR IS NOT PROPERLY COMMUNICATING TO SHUT ITSELF DOWN.
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2019
WHEN PARKING AND PUTTING THE CAR IN 'PARK', THE CAR DOESN'T RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S IN THE PARK POSITION, AND ALTHOUGH THE CAR SHUTS OFF, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STAYS ON. THIS ALLOWS THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN WITH STEREO, LIGHTS, AND FANS ALL RUNNING, AND EVEN WORSE, WOULD ALLOW SOMEONE TO STEAL THE CAR IF THEY WERE TO GET INTO IT. I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE WITH THE 2013 AND 2014 MODEL YEARS.
Electrical system, Nov 13, 2019
THE ENGINE CUTS WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND PUSH MY START/STOP BUTTON BUT THE RADIO STAYS ON AFTER. I TRY OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO TURN MY CAR OFF FULLY BY SWITCHING GEAR AND TURNING THE CAR ON AND OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED DAILY FOR ME. I NOTICED THAT THIS MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT'S VERY UNSAFE. IT CAN CAUSE BATTERY DRAINAGE AND CAN LEAD TO OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES.
Engine, Oct 1, 2019
WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK AND PRESS BUTTON TO SHUT IT OFF, THE AUXILIARY POWER STAYS ON. THIS MAKES THE CAR WHERE IT CANNOT BE LOCKED AND DRAINS THE BATTERY. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 30, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY MAZDA 2013 CX-5 ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PRESSED THE THE ACCELERATED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE LIGHT, LOW TIRE, AND TRACTION SYMBOLS ALL WERE LID UP ON THE DASHBOARD. I DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK HOME AT 20 MPH AS THIS IS THE MAXIMUM TOP SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE. I WILL CHECK TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN BE LIFE THREATENING.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2019
DEFECTIVE PARKING SWITCH. IGNITION FAILS TO DISENGAGE EVEN THOUGH THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY SHOWS THE CAR IS IN PARK. AT TIMES THE ENGINE STAYS ON; MAJORITY OF THE INSTANCES THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN BUT THE IGNITION REMAINS ON WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM SOUNDING WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN. THIS PROBLEM DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY AND REQUIRES DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TO AVOID THE DRAIN. DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE BUT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR THOSE WHO ARE DEAF WHEN THE ENGINE RUNS OR THE IGNITION STAYS ON AND CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN THIS OCCURS. AT TIMES CONTINUING TO TURN ON THE ENGINE, SHIFTING THROUGH ALL OPTIONS AND BACK IN TO PARK SOLVES THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING BACK INTO PARK AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STARTED TO OCCUR RANDOMLY BUT NOW OCCURS DAILY. SINCE THIS ISSUE I HAVE REPLACED STARTER AND BATTERY WITH NO AFFECT. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUES BY MAZDA FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2019
DEFECTIVE PARKING SWITCH. IGNITION FAILS TO DISENGAGE EVEN THOUGH THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY SHOWS THE CAR IS IN PARK. AT TIMES THE ENGINE STAYS ON; MAJORITY OF THE INSTANCES THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN BUT THE IGNITION REMAINS ON WITH AN AUDIBLE ALARM SOUNDING WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN. THIS PROBLEM DRAINS THE BATTERY COMPLETELY AND REQUIRES DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY TO AVOID THE DRAIN. DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE BUT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS FOR THOSE WHO ARE DEAF WHEN THE ENGINE RUNS OR THE IGNITION STAYS ON AND CAUSES THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED WHEN THIS OCCURS. AT TIMES CONTINUING TO TURN ON THE ENGINE, SHIFTING THROUGH ALL OPTIONS AND BACK IN TO PARK SOLVES THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN SHIFTING BACK INTO PARK AND TURNING OFF THE IGNITION WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STARTED TO OCCUR RANDOMLY 10/16/2018 BUT OCCURED WITH DAILY FREQUENCY ON 9/9/2019, THE REPAIRS WERE MADE ON 9/13/2019 WHEN THE MECHANIC FOUND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUES BY MAZDA FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2019
INITIALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO NOTICE DRIVABILITY CONCERN. USED OBD SCANNER AND RETRIEVED TWO CODES: P0172 RUNNING RICH, P013A DOWNSTREAM O2 SLOW SWITCH. TWO DAYS LATER THE CAR STALLED TWO TIME, BOTH TIMES RIGHT AFTER VEHICLE STOPPED COMPLETELY WITH BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERE SAFETY CONCERN AND WILL SEND THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED, AND HAS 80K MILES, 6.5 YRS OF SERVICE, WITH REGULAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE.
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2019
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND WE TRY TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THE RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES AND LIGHTS STAY ON. IT APPEARS THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS IN PARK.IF YOU LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS STATE, IT WILL NOT LOCK AND THE BATTERY WILL DRAIN WHICH THEN BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG WOMEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR WAS DEFORMED AND DAMAGED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. MAZDA OF CLEAR LAKE (20101 GULF FWY, WEBSTER, TX) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,750. *TR CONSUMER STATED RECENTLY CALLED ABOUT FAULTY BRAKE FOR 2013 MAZDA CX-5. REF #11232833. I WILL ATTACH PHOTOS OF FAULTY BRAKE AND GOOD BRAKE, BOTH FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THERE ARE MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FOR THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE JUST OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR A LONG TIME WITH LOW MILES, <30,000. ALL COMPLAINTS ARE WITHIN THE 0-30,000 MILE POINT. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
Service brakes, Jul 11, 2019
PURCHASED USED 2013 MAZDA CX-5 IN DECEMBER 2015. APRIL 2017 HAD REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO RUST. SCREECHING BEGAN, AGAIN, END OF JUNE 2019 WHILE DRIVING NORMAL SPEEDS. CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, BRAKING AND NOT BRAKING AT ANY SPEED. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST, WITH THE LEFT-SIDE BEING EXTREMELY WORSE THAN THE RIGHT. SAID THE CALIPER MIGHT HAVE GONE BAD. COULDN'T EXPLAIN HOW THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN 2 YEARS. DID NOT MENTION ANY NOTICES FOR THIS FROM MAZDA OR HOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.