Vehicle report
2013 Mazda CX-5
Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2013 Mazda CX-5, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 has 1 NHTSA recall on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 4 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.
1
Open recalls
15
Complaints
4
Overall safety
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2013 Mazda CX-5 recalls (1)
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 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.
Remedy: 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.
2013 Mazda CX-5 safety ratings
4
Overall
4
Front
5
Side
4
Rollover
Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.
2013 Mazda CX-5 owner complaints (15)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
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
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)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
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.
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While driving, 30 mph on Dempster Street in Niles, Illinois, the sunroof spontaneously exploded and shattered.
- STEERING
Ball joint broke gave out while turning
- ENGINE
The car battery will not turn off when I turn off the vehicle.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
Checking a used Mazda CX-5 before you buy
The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2013 CX-5 in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular CX-5's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.
Before you buy a 2013 Mazda CX-5 in Alberta:
- Run a free VIN check on the exact vehicle for its own recalls and safety data.
- Run an Alberta Personal Property Registry lien search so you don't inherit debt.
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
- If it's a dealer, confirm their AMVIC licence.
See other model years of the Mazda CX-5, or browse more Mazda models.
2013 Mazda CX-5 — questions and answers
Does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?+
Our check found 1 NHTSA recall associated with the 2013 Mazda CX-5. Check the specific vehicle by VIN to see which remain outstanding, since some may already have been repaired. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
How many complaints does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have?+
NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.
Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 safe?+
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 4. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.
How do I check a 2013 Mazda CX-5 VIN?+
Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.
Are recall repairs on a Mazda free?+
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Mazda dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.
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