Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Mazda CX-50 Reliability Report
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 has good reliability but is the weakest CX-50 year, with false emergency braking the top complaint.
Recalls
2
Complaints
49
Complaint Rate
32.7per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,200–$2,400
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
First year of the generation and the weakest CX-50 year, with false emergency braking and front ball joint failures standing out in owner complaints.
Top Issues to Watch
- SERVICE BRAKES (9)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
- SUSPENSION (5)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is the first model year of the First generation (VA).
- First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
- Redesigned for the 2023 model year.
- Refreshed in 2025.
- 1st generation CX-50 (US).
What this means for buyers
First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.
Compare 2023 pricing and recall counts against 2024+ before deciding.
2023: First generation (VA) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2025: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2023 Mazda CX-50?
Good standing, but a weaker record than most of its peers. This year sits below average among 2023 SUVs and is the weakest of the four scored CX-50 years. It earns a 5 of 5 federal crash-test rating, yet owners filed 49 complaints, and 7 involved crashes. The 2024 model rates better, though it has had less time to collect complaints.
Brakes lead the complaints. Owners report false automatic emergency braking, with the car slamming to a stop with nothing ahead, once from 70 to 35 mph on a highway. Front suspension is the most serious area. Lower ball joints and control arms failed in several reports, and one ball joint let go at 2077 miles with a complete loss of control. Others describe dead batteries that lock the car, and a wobbling steering wheel with no warning light. Federal recall records show two recalls, covering hydraulic service brakes and trailer hitches.
Ask the seller for proof that both recalls were completed. Request front suspension repair records, and listen for clunks at low speed on a test drive. Compare a 2024 model before you decide.
Compared to the 2024 Mazda CX-50, which scored 6 points higher.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +5-star NHTSA crash rating
Cons
- −Above-average complaint rate for SUV
- −SERVICE BRAKES: False automatic emergency braking is the most common report (9 complaints)
- −SUSPENSION: Front lower ball joints and control arms fail in several reports (5 complaints)
Compare 2023 Mazda CX-50 With
2023 Honda CR-V
Reliability: 72/100
2023 Toyota RAV4
Reliability: 80/100
2023 Nissan Rogue
Reliability: 68/100
2023 Hyundai Tucson
Reliability: 75/100
2023 Kia Sportage
Reliability: 67/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- SERVICE BRAKES (9)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2023 Mazda CX-50 carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
32.7
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
7
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Mazda CX-50 Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Mazda CX-50. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2022-2023 CX-30 and 2023 CX-50 vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) may be damaged, which can result in reduced braking ability.
Consequence
Reduced braking ability can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the ABS HCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5823D.
TRAILER HITCHES
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2023 CX-50 vehicles equipped with a Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitch. The trailer hitch harness may detach and become damaged, which can result in inoperative trailer lights and/or brakes.
Consequence
Towing a trailer with inoperative lights or brakes can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will repair the trailer hitch harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5723B.
Buying a used 2023 Mazda CX-50? Check its history first
Service brakes problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Mazda CX-50, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Mazda CX-50 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.5%
Safety Technologies
Mazda CX-50Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3Maintenance rating: 3 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
2023 Mazda CX-50 Example Repair Prices
National average price ranges for common repairs. These are not model-year-specific failure predictions.
| Repair | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Tire Pressure Monitor Lamp Diagnosis | $98 – $143 |
| General Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Noise Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Vibration Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| No Start Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Pre-Purchase Car Inspection | $183 – $269 |
| Engine Oil Light Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Check Engine Light Diagnosis & Testing | $122 – $179 |
| AC Diagnosis | $122 – $179 |
| Air Conditioning System Leak Inspection | $122 – $179 |
Estimates based on national average repair costs. Actual costs may vary by location and shop.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
25–27 MPG
Fuel cost: $2,200–$2,400/yr
Fuel only
23–24 city / 29–30 hwy MPG
Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2023 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-50 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 | 30 | 27 | $2,200 |
| CX-50 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 | 29 | 25 | $2,400 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Mazda CX-50.
Drive on a highway past trucks and watch for false automatic emergency braking with nothing ahead.
Check the brake fluid level and look for fluid wetness around both front calipers.
Have the rear brake pads and rotors measured, since some wear out early.
Lift the front end, rock each wheel, and check the ball joints and control arms for play.
Drive over rough streets at 5 to 25 mph and listen for suspension clunks or crunching.
Rock the steering wheel up, down, and sideways, and turn slowly left to feel for sticking.
Lock and unlock with the fob several times and ask whether the battery has repeatedly gone dead.
Open and close the liftgate, and inspect the front seat sides for rips and fraying seams.
2023 Mazda CX-50 Common Problems by Component
49 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
SERVICE BRAKES
9 complaintsSafety-relatedFalse automatic emergency braking is the most common report. The car brakes hard with nothing ahead, in one case dropping from 70 to 35 mph on a highway in snow. In stop-and-go traffic, the sudden deceleration has stalled the engine. Other reports describe weak stopping that needs heavy pedal force, rear pads and rotors worn out at 22k miles, and fluid leaking near the front calipers at 47,000 miles. In one crash, the car accelerated into a garage wall with no collision warning or braking assist.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 complaintsSafety-relatedRepeated dead batteries lock the car and force entry with the manual key. One owner at 28k miles had five lockouts that two dealers could not fix, and the case ended in a buyback. Liquid or debris that gets into the center console can destroy the command switch underneath and knock out many controls. Towing owners say Mazda's own 4-pin trailer harness flashes the trailer lamps erratically when signaling with the brake applied. They also cite a 1000 lb limit without a brake controller, which Mazda does not sell.
SUSPENSION
5 complaintsSafety-relatedFront lower ball joints and control arms fail in several reports. In the worst cases the joint pulls out of the control arm and the front wheel nearly separates from the car. One ball joint failure at 2077 miles caused a complete loss of control. Other owners hear loud clunks at 5 to 25 mph, or crunching from worn strut bearings at 34,000 miles that a dealer blamed on dirt from light off-road use. In one case, a part shortage kept a control arm repair waiting nearly two months.
STEERING (4 complaints)
STEERING
4 complaintsA loose, wobbling steering wheel shows up in two reports. The wheel moves up and down or side to side, and no warning light comes on. A dealer traced one case to a loosened steering wheel bolt at about 75,500 miles. The other appeared at 40,585 miles, months after a crash. Two more owners describe power steering that sticks when turning left between roughly 9 and 11 o'clock. They say it is worse at low speeds and in cold weather.
STRUCTURE (4 complaints)
STRUCTURE
4 complaintsThe rear liftgate opened by itself on a freeway on-ramp in one report, with no button pressed. Another owner sees the hood wobble at all speeds and hears metal clanging from the front. Keyless entry sometimes takes two or three tries to unlock, and auto-lock may not engage when the driver walks away. Fabric lining or insulation also pulls out of the seams between the dash and the pillars on both sides.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
3 complaintsSafety-relatedMaximum braking kicks in at freeway speed with open road ahead. In one report it happened repeatedly within 2 miles at 60 mph, after a forward camera dirty warning during a snowstorm, with a semi truck in the next lane. Owners also say the system shuts itself off in heavy rain, light moisture, or cold weather, which dealers blame on dirt or fog. In one crash, the car rear-ended a stopped vehicle with no warning and no automatic braking.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSafety-relatedBoth reports involve crashes with injuries. In one, the car hit a deer at 55 to 60 mph and the airbag did not deploy. The seat belt also failed to hold the occupant, the driver suffered a serious eye injury, and the car was a total loss. The other report describes an airbag that burst and blew an air vent off, filling the cabin with smoke.
SEATS (2 complaints)
SEATS
2 complaintsSeat upholstery tears early. Owners report rips of about 1 inch on the sides of both front seats, plus fraying along the seams where the vinyl meets the fabric. One owner says Mazda refuses to repair the seams. Another points to similar reports from other CX-50 owners online. Both complaints are about material durability, not seat function.
POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
2 complaintsKnocking from the rear of the car at 1 to 10 mph is one report. The other involves a Vehicle System Malfunction message and a noise from the front when braking to 10 mph. The dealer traced it to a broken lower active grille shutter and damage to the condenser behind it, and blamed a rock strike. Neither report describes a loss of drive power.
WHEELS (2 complaints)
WHEELS
2 complaintsClicking from the rear wheel area when slowing down, which fades at higher speeds, was traced in one report to the differential. The dealer could not get the replacement part. In the other report, a large dimple appeared in the sidewall of the original Goodyear tire at 1050 miles with no known impact, and the owner stopped driving the car. Neither report involves a crash.
Best & Worst Mazda CX-50 Years
Best Mazda CX-50 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
2023
(Current Model)
Mazda CX-50 Years to Avoid
No Mazda CX-50 years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 65 and 76 across 4 scored model years.
Mazda CX-50 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 66/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 76/100 | Good |
Mazda CX-50 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Mazda CX-50 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Mazda CX-50?
Does the 2023 Mazda CX-50 have brake problems?
Has the 2023 Mazda CX-50 been recalled?
Is the 2024 Mazda CX-50 more reliable than the 2023?
Don’t buy a 2023 Mazda CX-50 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Mazda CX-50
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Mazda CX-50 does best on recall impact (80/100) and worst on complaint severity (54/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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