Most common 2023 Mazda CX-5 problems
Share of the 66 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda CX-5 complaints by model year
Best CX-5 years: 2015, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2016, 2014, 2018. Compare all years →
What 2023 Mazda CX-5 owners say
Brakes
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Smart Brake Support (SBS) & Forward Obstruction Warning system malfunctioned. Front radar sensor malfunctioned. Parking brake malfunctioned. I-activesense system malfunctioned. Emergency lane keep disabled. Dynamic stability control malfunctioned. Traction control system not operating correctly. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunctioned. Brake system not responding. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? In total 10 malfunctions led to brake not responding and could not stop the car and resulted into a car accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
At 2:00 on a clear afternoon I was slowly coasting into a right hand turn into a parking space, and lightly tapping the brake to finalize the stop, when the car accelerated HARD forward over a curb and a sidewalk into the brick wall of a building. Airbag was deployed. My injuries were a nasty wrist contusion and bloody gashes where the airbag "door" deployed and I also had complete seatbelt brusing on my throat, chest and across my abdomen. This after traveling a mere 7-8 feet. At the time I was very shaken up and incredulous that such a thing could have happened logically, and conceded that perhaps I had made a mistake somehow. As I settled down later I became dubious, especially when I got behind the wheel of my rental car and 100% when I sat in my actual car at the wrecking yard. I am crystal clear I was depressing just the brake. …
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2023 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the temperature was 45 degrees or lower, the vehicle failed to start properly, and the engine failed to warm up properly. The coolant light was illuminated, and the engine temperature gauge failed to rise above COLD. The vehicle occasionally failed to start or while started and driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled while and engine temperature failed to reach the normal operating temperature. The check engine light was illuminated. The contact would shift to SPORT Mode to prevent the cylinder activation from occurring and causing the vehicle to stall. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was hesitating while driving in temperatures of 50 degrees or less. Additionally, the key fob intermittently failed to unlock the vehicle. …
Mazda CX-5 Premium Between May and September this year, the MyMazda app has alerted me two times that the oil level was low. I manually checked and it was indeed low. The first time I brought it to a Firestone service center to have it checked and they verified that the level was down considerably to the bottom dot on the stick. They said to bring it to the dealer. I brought it to the dealer and they said they could not find any leaks and to come back in 1000 miles. I did that and they only checked the dipstick to make sure the level was fine and sent me on my way. The same exact thing happened again a week ago and I topped off the oil then made an appointment. The dealer said that I should not have done that and now they could not verify for themselves that the oil was in fact low. …
Driver assistance
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Smart Brake Support (SBS) & Forward Obstruction Warning system malfunctioned. Front radar sensor malfunctioned. Parking brake malfunctioned. I-activesense system malfunctioned. Emergency lane keep disabled. Dynamic stability control malfunctioned. Traction control system not operating correctly. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunctioned. Brake system not responding. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? In total 10 malfunctions led to brake not responding and could not stop the car and resulted into a car accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? …
The driver-side power door mirror on my 2023 Mazda CX-5 vibrates excessively at highway speeds above 75 mph, especially on windy days. The vibration is so severe that it causes a blurred and distorted view, making it difficult to clearly see vehicles in adjacent lanes. This poses a significant safety risk, as it impairs my ability to make safe lane changes and monitor surrounding traffic. I brought the issue to the attention of my Mazda dealership during a scheduled service appointment, but they dismissed it as "normal" and quoted approximately $700 to replace the mirror - despite the fact that this appears to be a known issue with Mazda vehicles. Numerous owners of recent Mazda models have reported similar problems online, yet Mazda has not issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) for the 2023 CX-5. …
2023 Mazda CX-5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 24 / 30 / 26 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 22 / 27 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2023 Mazda CX-5 a good car?
Based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 CX-5 rates average: 17% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CX-5 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Mazda CX-5?
The brakes — 12 complaints, 18% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (12) and driver assistance (11).
How many recalls does the 2023 Mazda CX-5 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2023 Mazda CX-5. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda CX-5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2014 and 2018. See the full Mazda CX-5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2023 Mazda CX-5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 16,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.