Most common 2013 Mazda Mazda5 problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazda5 complaints by model year
Best Mazda5 years: 2015, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2013 Mazda Mazda5 recalls (1)
Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate
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…
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.
What 2013 Mazda Mazda5 owners say
Brakes
I have gone to multiple mechanics with no help. My vehicle surges or revs any time the ac is on to the point that the vehicle lunges forward even when my foot is on the brake. This occurs in neutral, drive and park. It specifically occurs when I am slowing down, stopping, or coasting at a low speed. It also jerks when in drive but not applying the gas, then revs with no warning. No check engine or other lights are coming on. I have been on several Mazda forums and this seems to be a recurring issue wth this vehicle. It has caused me to hit a wall (I was slowing down, coming into a parking space) and my neighbors vehicle as I was waiting to turn right out of our condos.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Mazda 5. While driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The failure caused the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The contact stated that both air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The passenger sustained injuries to the chest from the seat belt, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Engine & cooling
I have gone to multiple mechanics with no help. My vehicle surges or revs any time the ac is on to the point that the vehicle lunges forward even when my foot is on the brake. This occurs in neutral, drive and park. It specifically occurs when I am slowing down, stopping, or coasting at a low speed. It also jerks when in drive but not applying the gas, then revs with no warning. No check engine or other lights are coming on. I have been on several Mazda forums and this seems to be a recurring issue wth this vehicle. It has caused me to hit a wall (I was slowing down, coming into a parking space) and my neighbors vehicle as I was waiting to turn right out of our condos.
After repeatedly going to various mechanics to get a diagnosis throughout the years, they were all unsuccessful to find any report through the vehicle's computer. However, my car's engine is constantly revved up even when applying the brakes an slowing down causing it to jerk forward. This occurs suddenly and randomly when I am going at speeds below 20 MPH including while on idle. If I neither apply the brakes nor the accelerator, it will still drive forward at 3 MPH in rhythmic jerky waves. We took the vehicle to the local Mazda dealer for a key replacement when we first purchased it, and I believe we reported the problem there first, but after the ridiculous service we got, I never wanted to return there again. This has been an ongoing issue since the beginning.
Steering
I have had an ongoing issue with the power steering light coming on in my car. There were times that I have had my car parked overnight, got up the next morning to leave for work, the light was still on from the previous afternoon. The light has come on while I have driven on the highway going 55 MPH for no apparent reason...on a straight-away. The past two days it has gone off and on at least three times, again for no good reason. The very first time I noticed the light was a hot, summer day, but the car had been running with the air on. Thinking something overheated, I shut the car off and had to wait 45 minutes before the light would go off. Now even with weather getting cooler and the light comes on, it goes back off when it feels like it, with no explanation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda Mazda5. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle started to shake violently without warning. In addition, the rear tire rim was bent. The contact also stated that in another occasion while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle rear shifted to the right, the contact had to shift the gear into fourth gear then back into drive to be able to control the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the steering handle and the sensor were replaced. The PCM system were also programmed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,211.
2013 Mazda Mazda5 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 22 / 28 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Mazda Mazda5 a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Mazda5 rates better than average: 53% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Mazda5 at the same age. It is one of the best Mazda5 years by this measure. 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 2013 Mazda Mazda5?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and steering (4).
How many recalls does the 2013 Mazda Mazda5 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2013 Mazda Mazda5, the most recent from September 6, 2016 (hatchback/liftgate). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazda5?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2008. See the full Mazda Mazda5 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Mazda Mazda5 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 38,000 miles; 67% 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.