Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.
Fuel economy
25–27 mpgcombined; city 23–24, highway 29–30; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$12,030–$12,990U.S. average; Ohio $10,750–$11,610 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 CX-50. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.
Complaints by part of the car
Part
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service brakes
16
2
0
0
Forward collision avoidance
14
5
0
1
Electrical system
9
1
0
0
Unknown or other
8
1
0
0
Power train
6
0
0
0
Structure
6
0
0
0
Suspension
5
1
0
0
Engine
4
1
0
0
Steering
4
0
0
0
Air bags
3
3
0
3
Seats
3
0
0
0
Exterior lighting
2
0
0
0
9 more parts
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
Lane departure
2
0
0
0
Latches/locks/linkages
2
0
0
0
Visibility/wiper
2
0
0
0
Wheels
2
0
0
0
Back over prevention
1
1
0
0
Seat belts
1
1
0
1
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
Visibility
1
0
0
0
Complaints by model year
Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2023 CX-50 over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
Risk: 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.
Carmakers sent NHTSA 351 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2023 CX-50, the latest on Sep 17, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.
The parts they mention most: electrical system (146), unknown or other (72), equipment (55), structure (47), engine and engine cooling (31).
NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.
Maintenance
Oil
The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2023 CX-50.
EPA class: small sport utility vehicle. EPA greenhouse gas score: 5 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
Version
Engine
Transmission
Fuel
City / hwy / comb
CX-50 4-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
24 / 30 / 27
CX-50 4-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cyl, turbo
Automatic (S6)
Regular Gasoline
23 / 29 / 25
Sources and dates
U.S. EPA fuel economy data, file of Sep 29, 2026
NHTSA owner complaints, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA recalls, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA manufacturer communications, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA defect investigations, file of Oct 17, 2026
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, file of Aug 7, 2026
U.S. Energy Information Administration, file of Oct 12, 2026
Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data