Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2013 MAZDA CX5. The contact stated while attempting to shut off the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off due to the transmission not being fully in PARK. The contact stated that there was an unknown flashing red warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
My vehicle does not want to turn off when placed in park. The car is fully in the park position, but the start push button is illuminated with a red light. The power is still on, and the car beeps when door is open. I can only get the power to turn off, after repeatedly tapping the gear shift left, towards the P symbol. It is already fully seated in the park position, but this finally causes the light to go off and the car turns off. Always hoping the power did not turn back on while away from the car. Is this a fire hazard? I will not park my car in the garage as I am concerned it may overheat the wiring, electrical components, etc...??? I have noticed similar complaints for this vehicle on this website also.
The contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while shifting into the park the electronics failed to turn off. The contact vigorously shifted the gear shifter in several positions for approximately 10 to 15 minutes to turn off electronics. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact was concerned about the battery being drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
During a long holiday trip, while driving down us 19 at 65 MPH over the new river gorge bridge the engine started revving / surging, with rpms going up and down, when the car suddenly lost power and decelerated rapidly. The traction control system (TCS) light was on solid and the tire pressure system (tps) light was flashing. We had just left a rest area and were less than a mile down the road from where we pulled onto the highway, just getting up to speed. I May have just turned on the cruise control, but I cannot remember. The weather was warm and dry. The car had about 52,700 miles on it. I put on the flashers and prayed that momentum would carry me over the bridge to where I could pull off, that the semi-tractor-trailer truck barreling down on me would get in the other lane soon, and that no one would rear end me. My mom and my husband were in the car with me. …
This has been happening for the last 2 years. I've taken it to 2 different Mazda dealerships for a total of 5 times and they cannot duplicate the issue or find any problems running diagnostics. My car has 50,000 miles on it and is a 2013 Mazda CX-5. When I bought it had 20,000 miles on it and I started noticing a few months after I bought it. This issue happens mostly when: 'I'm turning left from a complete stop 'turning left while coasting toward a stop sign and then speeding up once it turns green 'merging into traffic going left or right 'turning right from a complete stop or while coasting to the red light and speeding up once it turns green car stalls/hesitates/lingers as if I'm not accelerating. As though the car was in neutral instead of drive. The RPM increases but the car does not move (unless it was already coasting and continues to move from momentum). …
[redacted] the engine does not idle. When I would slow to stop for a stop light or stop sign, th engine would quit and require restarting the engine. The check engine light remained illuminated continuously, and, the red battery light would illuminate. A service station diagnosed the problem as either an old battery, and/or, an alternator. Ourisman Mazda, 801 rockville pike, rockville, maryland 20852 [[phone]] advised me this morning, Saturday, 01/13/2018, that: 1.)the problem is the mass air flow filter that required replacement. 2.)there are no recalls for Mazda mass air flow sensor failures. 3.) total parts and labor are approximately, $575.00. 4.)the dealership said that the 5 years / 100,000 warranty did not apply to the mass air flow filter. 5.)when I brought the car to ourisman Mazda, on 01/12/2018, to have the problem diagnosed. …
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. After stopping, I applied gas again, but car was very sluggish and never changed gears (felt like I was trying to accelerate starting with the 6th gear - I was in "d"). Every time I let go of gas peddle, it would instantly jerk the car to a stop. Feels exactly like a manual transmission when you are in first gear and don't give enough gas and suddenly let go of your clutch - the engine slams shut. No engine or transmission light was indicated on the dash. The car can turn on/off without problems. I had the car towed to Mazda. Took them 1 week to determine and fix the car: they replaced the whole transmission (under warranty). I only have 38000 miles on the car. …
Since last recall repair my CX-5 is experiencing major problems. It will randomly not start. I get in and depress brake pedal, but start button will not light green and car won't start, even after changing battery in key fob. The dashboard lights (all of them) will come on and flash, then go away. The other issue is that the transmission will not engage after car has started. Car is started and in park. I depress the brake and try to put the car into gear (drive) but the shifter refuses to move at all. Pumping the brake does not work, depressing the brake all the way to the floor does not work. There is not a particular sequence of actions that will get the car to go into gear. The only remedy I have found is to turn the car off and let it sit for an extended period of time. …
On 2 separate occasions (5/27/2017 and 6/15/2017) while on the freeway while in stop & go traffic, my vehicle suddenly seemed to lose power, and unable to go more than 20 MPH. The tire pressure, traction control, emergency light comes on. Both times I have safely been able to make it to the shoulder. The first time, I had my car towed to auto repair shop. Their $300 diagnosis reported nothing wrong with the car. The second time, I turned my car off & on again on the shoulder. The check engine light stayed on and I and was able to drive to my destination. The check engine is now back off, but I have dropped it off at the same auto repair shop, and they are replacing an air flow sensor in hopes that this resolves the problem. This will cost us another $300. Both times I had my 18 month old in my car. I am deeply concerned.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and decelerating, there was an abnormal winding and grinding noise detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine repairs on the axle and the mechanic was informed that the transmission was making an abnormal winding noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent transmission specialist where he was informed that the trans axle bearings needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed that the repairs were not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 84,000.
Transmission complaints in other CX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Mazda CX-5, 20% of the model year's 194 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Mazda CX-5 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
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.