2013 Mazda CX-5 Reliability
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 has 194 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Compared with other CX-5 model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the CX-5's typical year, while the 2014 drew 377 complaints.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
194
NHTSA owner complaints
1
Recall campaigns
6
Complaints citing a crash
1
Complaints citing a fire
2013 Mazda CX-5 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2012 and 2025. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 58 | 30% |
| Engine | 42 | 22% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 38 | 20% |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 14% |
| Service brakes | 26 | 13% |
| Speed control / throttle | 22 | 11% |
| Body structure | 15 | 8% |
| Stability control | 15 | 8% |
2013 Mazda CX-5 recalls
1 recall campaign on NHTSA record for the 2013 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V644000 | Sep 6, 2016 | Body structure — body / hatchback/liftgate | 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… |
How the 2013 compares with nearby CX-5 years
Verdicts come from CarWhere's year-by-year CX-5 analysis where it covers the year, otherwise from the years shown here.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 0 | Speed control / throttle | Too few reports |
| 2013 (this page) | 194 | 1 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2014 | 377 | 4 | Electrical system | Avoid |
| 2015 | 133 | 4 | Body structure | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 on the used market
- 19 of 257 2013 Mazda CX-5 listings in CarWhere's lifespan study showed 200,000 miles or more.
What to check on a used 2013 Mazda CX-5
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 1 campaign above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 Mazda CX-5 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 Mazda CX-5 reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 has 194 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Compared with other CX-5 model years, it rates as a solid year: complaints are in line with the CX-5's typical year, while the 2014 drew 377 complaints.
What are the most common 2013 Mazda CX-5 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 are electrical system (58), engine (42), powertrain / transmission (38), unknown or other (28). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Mazda CX-5, including 16V644000 (body structure — body / hatchback/liftgate). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 1 complaint and 0 recalls (too few reports); the 2014 has 377 complaints and 4 recalls (avoid). The 2013 has 194 complaints and 1 recall.
How do I check a specific used 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Mazda CX-5 research
Other Mazda CX-5 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 CX-5, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.