NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2023 Mazda CX-5 Safety Ratings
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 scores 91 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Exceptional), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 0 recalls, and 58 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 presents a strong safety profile by every federal metric. It earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 91/100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The model year achieved five-star overall NHTSA crash protection and a full avoidance-tech score. Furthermore, there are zero recall campaigns on file for this vehicle.
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 AWD SUV received a five-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA NCAP and federal recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 139 SUVs from 2023 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2023 Mazda CX-5 ranks 30 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 91 / 100 (Exceptional) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
| Recalls on file | 0 |
| Owner complaints | 58 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 30 of 139 SUVs tested for 2023 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Mazda CX-5?
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 91/100, matching the 2022 model year exactly and sustaining the Exceptional band for a second consecutive year. That flat movement is itself a data point worth noting: the score did not erode, which matters given that the defect-record component, worth up to 20 points, settled at 14.75 for this year. The vehicle captured the full 10 out of 10 available points for crash-avoidance technology, reflecting standard fitment of forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control across the lineup. Crash protection at 66 out of 70 points anchors the index, driven by the five-star frontal and side results. The rollover rating of four stars and a 17 percent rollover risk figure are the only places where the vehicle falls below a perfect ceiling, and the dynamic tip test returned a No Tip result, which is the preferred outcome in that specific protocol. Zero recalls for this model year mean the defect-record portion of the index carries no campaign penalty. The 58 owner complaints on file, including eight alleged crash incidents and five alleged injuries, are unverified consumer submissions to NHTSA and do not alter the federal test record, but the concentration of allegations around service brakes and the electrical system is a pattern worth monitoring as the fleet ages.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2023 Mazda CX-5 perform in crash tests?
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 AWD SUV earns an overall five-star safety rating from NHTSA, matching that peak in its frontal and side-impact crash tests. The CX-5's one area that falls short of a perfect sweep is rollover. NHTSA rated the rollover four out of five stars, with a measured rollover risk of 17 percent and a dynamic tip-test result of No Tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 17236
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Mazda CX-5 have any recalls?
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 has zero recall campaigns on file with NHTSA. There are no park-outside or do-not-drive advisories associated with this model year. Shoppers should still run a VIN check directly through NHTSA, because recall status can change at any time after a vehicle leaves the factory.
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Mazda CX-5?
Owners have submitted 58 unverified allegations to NHTSA for this model year. The most frequently alleged problem areas are Unknown Or Other components (10 reports), Service Brakes (9), and Electrical System (9), followed by Engine (8) and Exterior Lighting (8). These are consumer-reported claims, not established facts.
58 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Mazda CX-5?
Before purchasing a used 2023 Mazda CX-5, run the specific vehicle's VIN through NHTSA's recall database to confirm no new campaigns have been opened since this data was compiled. Verify that any remedy work has been completed and documented, because recall status is tied to the individual vehicle, not the model year as a whole.
- The 2023 CX-5 carries zero NHTSA recall campaigns, a distinction that directly supported its defect-record sub-score of 14.75 out of 20 and helped sustain the 91/100 Exceptional index for a second straight year.
- NHTSA's rollover test assigned this model year a four-star rating with a 17 percent rollover risk, the only star rating below five in an otherwise top-scoring crash-test profile, though the dynamic tip test returned the preferred No Tip result.
- Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year total 58, with service brakes and the electrical system each drawing nine unverified allegations, making those two systems the most complaint-dense areas outside the catch-all Unknown Or Other category.
- Forward collision avoidance drew five unverified owner complaints in NHTSA's system for this model year, a notable concentration given that forward collision warning is listed as a standard feature contributing to the vehicle's perfect 10 out of 10 avoidance-tech score.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Mazda CX-5 places
The 2023 Mazda CX-5 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Mazda CX-5 safety questions
Was the 2023 Mazda CX-5 crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2023 Mazda CX-5, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 91 out of 100, placing it in the Exceptional band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2023 Mazda CX-5 crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2023 Mazda CX-5 earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2023 Mazda CX-5 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, no vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Mazda CX-5 as of Oct 1, 2026. Equipment recalls, if any, are excluded from the Safety Index. Run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm the status is current.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Mazda CX-5?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 58 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Mazda CX-5. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other CX-5 years
Rivals in SUV (2023)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 Tesla Model X Later Release | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Early Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y Rwd Later Release | 100/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2023 Buick Envision | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
| 2023 Lexus Rz 450e | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 17236), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Mazda CX-5 2023.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 30 of 139 in the SUV class for 2023.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.