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2013 Mazda Mazda5
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
24 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 26, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#55 of 530Among the 2013 models with a matured record, the 2013 Mazda Mazda5 ranks #55, scoring higher than 86% of them. See the 2013 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2013 Mazda Mazda5, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Brakes (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Brakes
21%5 complaints
“THE TCM FAILED ON THE CAR AND IT IS A VERY COMMON THING. THE DESIGN SET THE MODULE IN A LOCATION THAT OVERHEATS AND MALFUNCTIONS WHEN CONNECTION IS LOST WITH MECHANISM…”
Body & structure
17%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“All of the door handles and locks have loosened and fallen off. Sliding door will not latch now. Hatch on rear has lost suspension.”
Engine
17%4 complaints
“THE TCM FAILED ON THE CAR AND IT IS A VERY COMMON THING. THE DESIGN SET THE MODULE IN A LOCATION THAT OVERHEATS AND MALFUNCTIONS WHEN CONNECTION IS LOST WITH MECHANISM…”
Steering
17%4 complaints
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO EXERT FORCE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE POWER STEERING I…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 24 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 4 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Structure · 16V644000
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 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Mazda before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 Mazda Mazda5. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report brakes problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any brakes symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2013 Mazda MAZDA5 beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2013? See how every Mazda5 model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2013 Mazda Mazda5 against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.