Reliable Auto DB

2023 Mazda CX-50 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 has 63 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 16 per year. That is more complaints per year than the 2024 CX-50 (11), the only other year on this site. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Trailer hitch.

2023 Mazda CX-50
Photo by Elise240SX, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

63

Per year

16

Recalls

2

Years on the road

4

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (16 of 63), then Forward collision avoidance (14) and Electrical system (9). Those filings include 9 that report a crash and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2024

The 2024 CX-50 has 33 complaints, 11 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2024.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2023 Mazda CX-50. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Brake control module 2023-04-18 · NHTSA campaign 23V275000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall trailer hitch 2023-03-01 · NHTSA campaign 23V135000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (63 total)

Service brakes
16
Forward collision avoidance
14
Electrical system
9
Powertrain
6
Structure
6
Suspension
5
Engine
4
Steering
4
Air bags
3
Seats
3
Exterior lighting
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Lane departure
2
Latches, locks, and linkages
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Wheels
2
Back-over prevention
1
Seat belts
1
Speed control
1
Visibility
1
Show 12 more Show less
Crash-flagged

9

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

62022132023152024142025152026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Fuel gauge permanently stuck on empty. Computer code = P0463 Occurred on Jan 30, 2026. Mechanic provided error code at that time. Unsafe driving conditions where distance-to-empty calculations are disabled, standard…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-09
  • "Premature brake wear exacerbated by heavy stop and go traffic conditions."
    Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-09-03
  • "On multiple occasions the vehicle has not acceleratedfrom a stop while pushing the accelerator pedal. Have noticed this is usually on warmer days, with AC on half to full, within 3 minutes, and within 1 mile from…"
    Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-08-24
  • "While driving 72mph on the interstate at 6am on 7/21/26 the sunroof exploded. No foreign objects made impact with the vehicle and there was no sudden temperature shifts. The glass had no previous defects and it…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-07-21
  • "My rear differential is going out at only 40,000 miles. Ive heard from many other people that this is a widespread issue, and i feel requires a response from the company."
    Powertrain · filed 2026-07-01

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2023 Mazda CX-50 SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
CX-50 four-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Four-wheel drive 23 29 25 MPG $2600
CX-50 four-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic (6-speed) Four-wheel drive 24 30 27 MPG $2400

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2023–present
Body styles SUV
Oil 0W-20 (2.5L NA); 5W-30 (2.5L turbo) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 225/65R17, 225/55R19 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 23V-275 covers certain 2023 Mazda CX-50 vehicles, and also certain CX-30 models: the anti-lock brake system hydraulic control unit (ABS HCU) may be damaged, which can increase stopping distance; dealers inspect and replace the ABS HCU as necessary. Recall 23V-135 covers certain 2023 CX-50 vehicles equipped with a Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitch: the trailer hitch harness may detach and become damaged, which can disable trailer lights; dealers repair the harness. Recall 25V-167 covers certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches whose assembly bolts may loosen; dealers tighten the bolts. When a campaign also lists other Mazda models, published unit counts are shared.

Compare

Next year 2024 Mazda CX-50 See every Mazda CX-50 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Mazda CX-50 reliable?

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 has 63 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 16 per year. That is more complaints per year than the 2024 CX-50 (11), the only other year on this site. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Brake control module and Trailer hitch.

What are common problems with a 2023 Mazda CX-50?

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (16 of 63), then Forward collision avoidance (14) and Electrical system (9). Those filings include 9 that report a crash and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2023 Mazda CX-50 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2024 CX-50 has 33 complaints, 11 per year. The 2023 has more complaints per year than the 2024.

Has the 2023 Mazda CX-50 been recalled?

The 2023 Mazda CX-50 has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Mazda CX-50?

Owners have filed 63 complaints about the 2023 Mazda CX-50 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2023 Mazda CX-50 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2023 Mazda CX-50 is 26 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Mazda CX-50 take?

2.5L naturally aspirated US models: 0W-20. 2.5L turbo: 5W-30 (about 4.8 qt with filter on common fills).

Does recall 23V-275 cover the Mazda CX-50?

It covers certain 2023 CX-50 vehicles (and certain CX-30): the ABS hydraulic control unit may be damaged, which can increase stopping distance; dealers inspect and replace the HCU as directed.

What generation is the Mazda CX-50?

1st generation, model year 2023 onward in the US.