2023 Mazda CX-5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
10,064 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 62 complaints (17.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 18 | 29.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
Service Brakes: 11; Engine: 10; Unknown Or Other: 10; Electrical System: 9; Exterior Lighting: 8; Visibility/Wiper: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 18 |
2023: 13; 2024: 11; 2025: 20; 2026: 18
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11503897 · 2023-01-26 (January 26, 2023)
4 month old car and brakes are rusted and rotor is warped. The car is shaky and rear right side grinder. Mechanic said it was safe to drive and that it was a “user error” for being to hard on the brakes. They said they inspected the vehicle and could not determine the “brown liquid” was. They cleaned what I assume was rust and claimed it was safe to drive again. Two weeks and three drives later it is grinding again, smelling smoky, and shaking. I feel unsafe driving the car. There were no warnings or messages when the symptoms first appeared. T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503897 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11524247 · 2023-05-28 (May 28, 2023)
Brakes are very poor, car lurches forward at stop lights and you have to stomp the brake pedal to prevent running into the car in front of you.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11524247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11583906 · 2024-04-18 (April 18, 2024)
I purchased a brand new 2023 Mazda Cx-5 on December 2022 from Daytona Mazda. The car has been great up until 34,310 miles when I noticed vibration in the steering wheel. I take the car to Sport Mazda North in Longwood Fl. They checked the brakes and rotors and tires. My brakes and rotors are fine. They stated my tires have cupping. They suggested a wheel balance to slow down the cupping process and they suggested and alignment as well. But that I would need to replace the tires if I wanted that cupping to be gone. I buy new tires and have them …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11583906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11609317 · 2024-08-19 (August 19, 2024)
Was driving up [XXX] when simultaneously my dash board lit up with errors and malfunctions, my interior lights started flickering and my steering wheel and brakes locked. Unable to control the vehicle I gripped the wheel for dear life praying as it veered left. The 2023 CX 5 with only 18K struck the guard rail and went black on the inside and out. Only then was I able to counter the ricochet of the impact by redirecting the vehicle back on the grass to avoid getting smacked by 2 tractor trailers. SMH, I really almost died and now have to fight …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11609317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11634530 · 2025-01-07 (January 7, 2025)
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 t…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11634530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11654904 · 2025-04-16 (April 16, 2025)
Summary of Events: Purchase Date: 05/27/2023 Coolant Warning: In January 2025, I received a coolant temperature warning (code P0126) indicating insufficient coolant temperature. Repairs: I brought the vehicle in for repairs on 02/15/2025 for thermostat and related parts. The repairs were completed by 02/17/2025. New Warning: On 03/18/2025, I received a high coolant temperature warning. Upon inspection, coolant was nearly empty, and I found coolant contamination in the engine bay. Notification to Dealership: I emailed Hennessy Mazda on 03/1…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11654904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11748088 · 2026-07-02 (July 2, 2026)
The vehicle experienced a sudden and complete engine stall while idling immediately after fueling the gas tank to capacity on a day with high ambient temperatures (over 100°F). Leading up to the stall, the vehicle was subjected to temporary auxiliary loads (Max AC running and active steering input). Immediately following the stall, the vehicle exhibited a hard-start condition and would not catch fire. After sitting turned off for several minutes, the vehicle restarted normally. The incident left no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) or Check Engin…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11748088 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11584713 · 2024-04-23 (April 23, 2024)
Slowly and cautiously entered parking lot of a small strip mall. Proceeded to a parking space located in between two parked vehicles.Maneuvering into parking space I removed foot from gas pedal toward the break pedal; before foot made contact with break pedal the vehicle accelerated on its own surging over the cement parking bumper, over bushes, through the grass, down the curb and into the street. I jammed on the breaks. Lifting foot from break pedal I did not touch the gas pedal in fear the surge might happened again. Instead I allowed the v…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11584713 at NHTSA ↗