Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Mazda CX-5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-5. While driving 20 MPH in traffic, the brake pedal was applied, but failed to respond. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred several times. As a result, the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
I first started hearing this screeching noise back in May 2015, after which I took it to the dealership thinking whatever it was could be covered under warranty. They came back saying that it was due to not having any rear brake pads left and my rotors were severely damaged. Unfortunately, this was due to normal wear and tear and not covered under warranty. After fixing this, in August 2015, I started to hear the noise again. Took it back to the same dealership complaining about the same noise. This time, they stated that it was my front brake pads. Got this fixed as well. Now it is September, and I hear the same exact screeching noise as I heard in May. I decided to have it checked at another dealership but unfortunately, due to how the prior dealership used an air impact wrench to put on my wheel locks, they were not able to remove them. …
Tl* 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 manufacturer were notified of the failure; however, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 29,750. Consumer stated recently called about faulty brake for 2013 Mazda CX-5. Ref #11232833. I will attach photos of faulty brake and good brake, both from rear of vehicle. Please be advised that there are multitude of complaints online for this problem, I have just owned this vehicle for a long time with low miles, <30,000. All complaints are within the 0-30,000 mile point. …
Driving on a paved road when I heard a very loud squealing noise coming from the rear wheels. Checked the wheels when I got home , and discovered premature wear on rear brake pads and rotors. Pads were worn down, and the rotors were grooved the rear right side was really bad . Looked for a recall notice, and found nothing, so I replaced them. I talked to the service manager at the local Mazda dealership on June 121th, and he informed me that there was a notice sent to the dealers to look for this problem if there was a customer complaint. I asked why the notice was not sent to the vehicle owner's, and he had no answer.
Purchased used 2013 Mazda CX-5 in December 2015. April 2017 had rear brake pads and rotors replaced due to rust. Screeching began, again, end of June 2019 while driving normal speeds. Continued to get worse, braking and not braking at any speed. Mechanic stated that the rear pads and rotors needed to be replaced due to rust, with the left-side being extremely worse than the right. Said the caliper might have gone bad. Couldn't explain how this would happen in 2 years. Did not mention any notices for this from Mazda or how to prevent this from happening again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-5. When the brakes were engaged, an abnormal noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it diagnosed that the rear passenger side caliper, the rear driver side and passenger side rotors and brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.
Pulling in to parking space with foot on brake. Vehicle would not stop and couldn't turn the steering wheel. Car suddenly accelerated and jump curb and ran into side of building. Brake pedal was hard to press and even tried pumping brake, but vehicle would not stop. Engine speed did not change when pumping brake. Vehicle was only three weeks old and had a major malfuntion with braking and steering.
Tl contact owns a 2013 Mazda cx5. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the contact applied the brake pedal which started grinding without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rear brakes needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda cx5. The contact stated that while braking for an approaching intersection, the brakes did not respond. The vehicle continued to travel and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The manufacture was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 35,000.
Without any advance warning my rear brakes began screeching. I am now operating with rear brakes that are metal on metal.I spoke with the service manager at the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and he said it's normal for brakes to wear out and it is probably not from a stuck caliper. This began happening one week ago during normal usage.
Brake complaints in other CX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Mazda CX-5, 13% of the model year's 194 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Mazda CX-5 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2013 Mazda CX-5, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Mazda CX-5 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.