Model year record
2023 Mazda CX-5 recalls & problems
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 67 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (12 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2023 Mazda CX-5.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2023 Mazda CX-5 SUV AWD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
CX-5 4WD
| City / highway | 24 / 30 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
CX-5 4WD
| City / highway | 22 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 12 | — |
| Unknown or other | 11 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 11 | — |
| Engine | 10 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceAdaptive cruise control; Automatic emergency braking | 10 | — |
| Electrical system | 9 | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | — |
| Lane departureBlind spot detection; Assist | 5 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield; Sun/moon roof assembly | 3 | — |
| Power train | 3 | — |
| SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Unknown or other
While driving on the highway with my children in the car. My sunroof suddenly exploded. The sound was so loud, glass was everywhere. I wasnât driving through construction, I wasnât driving under a bridge, there was typical morning traffic which is on the lighter side. I was driving around 55 mph with the front defrost button and seat warmers on. Temperature was set 66 degrees in the car. This was so scary. My children who are [XXX] and [XXX] were so scared. They started screaming and my youngest started crying because huge chunks of glass were on him and all over the vehicle. I contacted The Mazda dealership and they took pictures when I drove the car to them. There was not any warning…
- Lane departure › Blind spot detection
At approximately 48,000 miles, my vehicle displayed a "Blind Spot Sensor(s) Malfunction" warning message on the dashboard without any prior warnings or symptoms. I contacted the dealership, which recommended having the system inspected by a local body shop, indicating that repairs would likely be less expensive. The body shop diagnosed the issue as a failed driver's side (left) blind spot sensor. However, they recommended replacing both sensors, stating that these components are problematic and prone to failure. $3K repair. My concern is that the blind spot monitoring system is an important vehicle safety feature designed to alert drivers to vehicles in adjacent lanes, particularly when…
- Service brakes
Windshield formed a crack after 3 years without any debris hitting it. Headlight leveling motor malfunction after 1 year. Brake caliper failure after 3 years.
- Exterior lighting
I began hearing a loud engine noise similar to a lawn mower whenever my headlights would come on which includes just when I unlock my car. When I first took it back to the Mazda dealership for servicing and mentioned this to the service manager he told me it was an issue with the headlights that theyâve been seeing. They returned the car to me and said they did not hear it. Then after my warranty ended it got worse and when I brought it back to the dealership they stated they had never heard of this happening before and said that I brought my car for an air-conditioning issue. When identified that a service manager had told me that this is something theyâre saying they then agreed to…
- Exterior lighting
At 44,000 miles, a loud whirring noise started to occur that is due to the failing of the internal LED cooling fan in my left headlamp. I cannot use my headlights, which is a safety concern.
- Engine
When my car starts up, engine rpm is around 1500 or above 1000. If I would switch to reverse, the car sudden jerks back stronger and quicker than I expected even though my foot isnât on the accelerator pedal and have pressed the brake lightly.
- Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control
On 09/01/2026 at approximately 55 mph, I was driving with adaptive cruise control engaged. The vehicle ahead decelerated abruptly. My vehicle began braking hard with no input from me for a fraction of a second. A red BRAKE warning appeared in the instrument cluster with an audible alarm. I then applied the brake pedal hard. On first contact the pedal barely moved from its rest position and was extremely firm. About a second into my application, while still traveling at over 25 mph, pedal resistance dropped sharply and pedal travel increased substantially. I had to push the pedal several inches farther to get back to comparable deceleration. The pedal did not pulse or vibrate. I came to a…
- Seat belts
We purchased a certified pre-owned Mazda CX-5 from Wellesley Mazda in [XXX] on XXX. As soon as we got home and tried to exit the vehicle, we noticed that the driver's seatbelt was not releasing. Since then, we have noticed that the seat belt has not latched or unlatched properly. Our concern is that a manufacturer-certified vehicle was delivered to a consumer with an intermittently failing primary locking restraint mechanism. There should have been a 160-point inspection done before this car was delivered in order for it to be considered pre-owned. This car is driven by our son who has been put at risk by a faulty restraint device. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.