2013 Mazda CX-5 Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 75,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023

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…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 123,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 47,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 25,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 mazda cx-5. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to turn off. The vehicle finally turned off ten minutes later after several attempts. The vehicle was also leaking oil. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 87,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 103,000 miles

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 [VIN] were notified of…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 29,750 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 34,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Vehicle does not shut off when pressing the start/stop button due to known gate at shifter issue in sb 05-007/15. My vehicle warranty expired due to milage before the sb was even released.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 40,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2013 mazda cx-5. While at an intersection, the vehicle [VIN] without warning and crashed into the preceding vehicle. The fender on the contact's vehicle was damaged. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The dealer and [VIN] were not contacted. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 44,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (13).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 93,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 mazda cx-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v644000 (structure); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to tustin mazda (located at 28 auto center dr…Owner complaint, filed 2017

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 38,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

The drivers seat reclines without anyone pressing button while the car is parked. This has happened irregularly for years. I have a car seat in the back seat and this shifts the car seat which becomes a safety hazard. This is a known issue and mazda refuses to acknowledge and correct it. It has nothing to do with mileage on the car. It…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 30,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 10,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving on the highway and I heard a sudden snap like sound on the windscreen, then I saw a star shaped stone chip appear on the windscreen, on the right side about an 1 inch from the side and about 7 inches from the bottom of the windscreen. I had driven no more than about 100 feet, when a crack about 12 inches was already there.…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 27,400 miles

At highway speeds the driver's side mirror shakes uncontrollably, rendering it virtually useless. Cars are all but a blur at and above 55 MPH. The dealer said it is a known issue (and said he submitted a TSB) and did nothing to remedy the issue. When presented with the "repair guidance" reference # r042/13a, they said it was a fix for…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 2,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

In garage (thank goodness & not on road). Pushed button to start engine, it turned over but would not stay started, like not getting enough gas. Tried 5 more times to do this with same result. The kicker is, once ignition was pushed to turn on, I could not get it off so that all electrical equipment would shut down. Was told by mazda…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 39,000 miles

I once reported my vehicle hesitating going up our driveway and the check engine light coming on. After a week at the dealership service department, the service dept. Manager ask what type of gas we used. My husband always uses ethanol free gas, but a couple of times we weren't close to a station that sold ethanol free gas, so we had to…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 16,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 mazda cx-5. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the tire pressure monitor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the tpms was reset and no failure was found. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle had not been repaired. The [VIN] was notified of the…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 100 miles

While driving, the engine appears to stall and the car is not drivable. The car feels as though it has shut off, and no acceleration is possible. I am forced to coast to the shoulder, at which point I must turn the car off and restart in order for the car to be drivable. While this is happening, several indicator lights are illuminated…Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 15,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2021

Factory installed tires completely worn and needing [VIN] at 16,700 miles. Vehicle is driven exclusively by my 55 year old wife.Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 16,700 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 104,000 miles

I have had continuous issues with all four of my wheel bearings. After one went bad, I had to replace it. Two weeks later, I had to replace a second one, and then the final two wheel bearings had to be replace only a week after that. Upon taking it to one mechanic, I was told that this is a frequent problem with the mazda cx-5, and they…Owner complaint, filed 2017

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The passenger seat air bag sensor failed and it cost me 1,000.00 to repair ,replace sensor car is less than 5years old. Also the paint clear coat has deteriorated badly dealer says nothing they can do about the paintOwner complaint, filed 2019, at 85,000 miles