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2013 Mazda Cx 5 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Mazda Cx 5 carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering hatchback/liftgate. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear.” Mazda's Skyactiv engines use unusually high compression ratios (13:1 to 16:1) and require strict adherence to oil intervals — extending oil life on a Skyactiv engine accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves. Mazda's published Schedule 1 (severe) covers most US driving conditions. Mazda3, CX-5, CX-30, and CX-50 share the Skyactiv-G platform.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

Campaign #16V644000 · Jun 9, 2016

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Mazda Cx 5.

Reported to NHTSA

Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear

SERVICE BRAKES

19 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2019-07

“I'VE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKES WEARING OUT WAY SOONER THAN ALL OF MY OTHER BRAKES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11151755
“BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING AT 14,000 AND 17,000 MILES. MAZDA HAS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE ISSUE BUT REFUSES TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11101892
“REAR BRAKES (ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS) PREMATURELY WORN OUT AT ~35K THIS LOOKS LIKE A DESIGN ISSUES AS THERE IS A TSB FOR IT, DO TO RUST FORMATION THAT MAKES THE BRAKE PADS STICK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10808403

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver seat spontaneously reclines

SEATS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2024-02

“THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINES WITHOUT ANYONE PRESSING BUTTON WHILE THE CAR IS PARKED. THIS HAS HAPPENED IRREGULARLY FOR YEARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11097554
“WHILE IN MOTION, THE MOTORIZED DRIVER SEAT MOVES UP, BACK, AND FORWARD EVEN THOUGH NOTHING IS TOUCHING THE MOVEMENT LEVER. AFTER TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, THE DRIVER SEAT INTERMITTENTLY FULLY RECLINES ON ITS OWN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11057035
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11569670

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Delayed parts availability for structural recall repairs

STRUCTURE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2017-06

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992222
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA CX-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V644000 (STRUCTURE). THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10980445
“I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL OF MY MAZDA CX5 IN OCTOBER 2016. IT IS RECALL 9916H LIFT GATE STAY DAMPER CONCERN. I HAVE BEEN CALLING THE MAZDA AT THE AVENUES , JACKSONVILLE, FL, TO GET IT FIXED SINCE OCTOBER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10943965

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Side mirrors vibrate at highway speed

VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2014-11

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10660200
“BOTH REAR VIEW MIRRORS VIBRATE AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH. ON HIGHWAYS THE VIBRATING IS SO INTENSE THE MIRRORS ARE NEARLY USELESS AS USING THEM CAN BE NAUSEATING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10547879
“WHEN DRIVING OVER 40MPH, THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY MAKING ME EXTREMELY DIZZY AND FEELING DISORIENTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10484804

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle fails to fully power off after shifting to park

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

41 NHTSA complaints · 2012-11 → 2025-12

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11515272
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11466253
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11404422

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of power or unexpected deceleration

POWER TRAIN

42 NHTSA complaints · 2012-09 → 2021-04

“I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO TRAFFIC. WHEN CAR SLOWED DOWN TO 15KM/HR, IT SUDDENLY/VIOLENTLY STOPPED AS IF SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10904857
“I HAD FELT HESITATIONS BEFORE WHILE COMING UP OUR DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS PRETTY STEEP. IT'S LIKE IT WOULD ALMOST STOP THEN LUNGE FORWARD PRETTY QUICK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10554166
“THIS VEHICLE WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, SUDDENLY TRIED TO ACCELERATE THEN A LOUD THUMP AND JOLT (AS IF SOMEONE RAN INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10592334

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2 (highway-only): 7,500 miles. Mazda CX-50 Turbo and CX-9: 5,000 miles regardless of schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. AWD CX-5, CX-50, and CX-9: 5,000 miles to prevent uneven wear from front-biased AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Mazda3 and CX-5 front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Skyactiv-G direct injection is sensitive to airflow restriction — inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Replace ATF every 60,000 miles severe / 100,000 normal. Use Mazda FZ ATF — substitutes cause harsh 1-2 shifts and torque converter shudder.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs every 60,000 miles on Skyactiv-G 2.0L and 2.5L. CX-50 Turbo and CX-9 Turbo: 45,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

FL-22 Long-Life Coolant

Every 60,000 mi

Mazda FL-22 (yellow): first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000. Do not substitute — silicate-free formula prevents water pump damage on Skyactiv engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD)

Every 60,000 mi

AWD CX-5, CX-50, CX-9: replace transfer case fluid and rear diff fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on Mazda3, CX-5, CX-30, and CX-50.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

17 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

6

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Mazda Cx 5 reflects Mazda's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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