Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 63 safety complaints
about the 2023 Mazda CX-50 with the US government. Of those, 9 describe a crash, 3 people were injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes and the trailer hitch.
The most complained-about system is the brakes,
named in 16 complaints, 25% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 57,000 miles,
the median across the 5
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers May 2022 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
63 complaints on file
63
Complaints
9
Describe a crash
0
Mention fire
3
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
SERVICE BRAKES 16 · 25%
16 25%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14 · 22%
14 22%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 · 14%
9 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 · 13%
8 13%
POWER TRAIN 6 · 10%
6 10%
STRUCTURE 6 · 10%
6 10%
SUSPENSION 5 · 8%
5 8%
ENGINE 4 · 6%
4 6%
STEERING 4 · 6%
4 6%
AIR BAGS 3 · 5%
3 5%
SEATS 3 · 5%
3 5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2 · 3%
2 3%
0815
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 63.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2024 at 15.
16 12 8 4
222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2022 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2023 Mazda CX-50, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
15.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
2 on file
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
The risk
Reduced braking ability can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Mazda North American Operations · up to 2,410 vehicles across all model years covered
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.
The risk
Towing a trailer with inoperative lights or brakes can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Mazda North American Operations · up to 560 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed
There was an airbag malfunction. The whole air vent came off and the airbag bursted. Smoke was everywhere. It was awful.
NHTSA complaint 11633503. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 27,000 miles
The contact owned a 2023 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH she crashed into a deer. The air bag did not deploy. The seat belts malfunctioned and failed to secure the occupant. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received an alert on her app. The contact sustained injuries to her eye. The contact lost vision in her eye, and medical attention was provided. There were no reported fires. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was deemed a total lost. The failure …
NHTSA complaint 11666000, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash
I am reporting a potential airbag system/emergency brake failure in my 2023 Mazda CX-50. I was involved in a rear-end motor vehicle accident at approximately 60 mph while my vehicle was completely stopped. I then hit the person in front of me. At the time of the impact, the airbags did not deploy, and I received a dashboard message indicating an airbag system malfunction. Since then, the emergency brake turns on and off on it's own at any time. Due to the severity of the crash, I am concerned that the airbags should have deployed, and their failure raises a serious safety concern. I sustained injuries (multiple fractures) as a result of the collision. I am requesting a formal investigation …
NHTSA complaint 11727435, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
crash · towed
On 1/14/2026, I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage when the vehicle abruptly accelerated causing the vehicle to hit the concrete wall in front of me. No braking assist or front collision warning issued. Airbags deployed. The car is currently at Joe Myers Collision Center in Houston, Texas to obtain an estimate for repair. The police did not respond to reported incident. Incident was reported to my insurance company immediately.
NHTSA complaint 11711337. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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 level indicator showing empty (or stuck on full) risking an unexpected engine stall on public highways and roads. I have NO idea how much Fuel is in the tank nor how many miles are left on tank which could lead to unexpected and sudden stops in high traffic situations. Yes: code was confirmed by Advanced Auto, London Motorworks, and personal computer. Fuel sensor stuck on "FULL" in May 18 then again stuck on empty since May 21. Vehicle inspected by mechanic on Jan 30, 2026 …
NHTSA complaint 11763043, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
Premature brake wear exacerbated by heavy stop and go traffic conditions.
NHTSA complaint 11761979. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
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 leaving work for the day after car has sat parked. I am worried this will get worse and cause a potentially dangerous situation when turning left against traffic and the car doesn't accelerate.
NHTSA complaint 11759005. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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 shattered into tiny pieces, failing into the car. The sun shade was open at the time. The vehicle is being serviced at a glass repair shop who noted this is a common issue with Mazda sunroofs.
NHTSA complaint 11751781. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SEATS
Rear differential failure, and side seat tear on 2023 Mazda cx 50
NHTSA complaint 11747582. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint 11747626. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed April 18, 2023.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst