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.
The worst 2013 Mazda CX-5 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical58
- Engine43
- Transmission38
- Brakes26
- Acceleration22
- Body15
- Driver assistance15
- Seats13
- Visibility11
- Fuel system10
- Steering4
- Suspension3
- Wheels3
- Airbags1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Mazda CX-5
Check engine light 31Battery drain 16Loss of power 13Warning lights 9Grinding brakes 8Stalling 7Sudden acceleration 7Jerking 5
Trouble codes owners of the 2013 Mazda CX-5 mention
P011A 2
Recalls 1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 16V644000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 825
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Description
- This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Description
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red....
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are...
- There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank
- Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter...
2013 Mazda CX-5 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 26 | 32-34 | 28-29 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 25 | 30 | 27 |
What 2013 Mazda CX-5 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Compare the 2013 Mazda CX-5
CX-5 vs Ford EscapeCX-5 vs Honda CR-VCX-5 vs Jeep CherokeeCX-5 vs Toyota RAV4CX-5 vs Chevrolet EquinoxCX-5 vs Nissan RogueCX-5 vs Subaru ForesterCX-5 vs Hyundai Tucson
Other model years
201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 2013 Mazda CX-5
Is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 reliable?
Owners have filed 194 complaints about the 2013 Mazda CX-5, 1.3 times a typical CX-5 model year.
What is the 2013 Mazda CX-5 year score?
The 2013 Mazda CX-5 scores 66 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda CX-5: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Electrical system, with 58 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles. Next is engine (43).
How many recalls does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 have?
1 recall, covering structure.
What year does the Mazda CX-5 have the most electrical problems?
The Mazda CX-5 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2014 (132 complaints), 2016 (72 complaints) and 2013 (58 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Mazda CX-5 get?
Official estimates for the 2013 Mazda CX-5 range from 27 to 29 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 26 city and 32-34 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2013 Mazda CX-5?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history