Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 a bad year?
191 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CX-5 years.
Keep it. You picked a good year.
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 are in line with other CX-5 years. Electrical system stands out for this year: see below.
3th quietest of 7 CX-5 years by owner complaints (years with 7+ years on the road).
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2013 CX-5 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 75,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 58 (30%) | 59k–100k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Engine | 43 (23%) | 20k–76k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 38 (20%) | 17k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 26 (14%) | 23k–34k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 22 (12%) | 7k–45k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 15 (8%) | 7k–33k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 15 (8%) | 23k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (6%) | 2k–18k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Seats | 13 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 75,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 191 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 3 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Dec 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
For the past 5 months my car will appear to have shut down while driving. I was driving on city streets going about 15 - 45 mph.
The car randomly accelerates after depressing the brake. It bucks, revs, lurks then stops. It has happened about 4 time to-date.
Out of the blue, I started my vehicle to go to work and the check engine light was on. I read in the manual the gas lid could be loose, but I checked it and it was fine.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 75,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2013 Mazda CX-5: 1
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 616
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2013 Mazda CX-5. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...)…
Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked
The new AWD rear differential DOES NOT come with a breather cap on the rear of the differential…
Some vehicles may exhibit oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner and rattling noises from the engine compartment
Neighbouring years
2014 CX-5: 377 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda CX-5 year
2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All CX-5 years side by side
Other Mazda models: Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8 · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 a bad year?
191 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other CX-5 years. At 75,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: electrical system (58), engine (43), transmission and drivetrain (38), brakes (26), speed control (22).
How many recalls does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Body structure (NHTSA 16V-644). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.