117 of the 3,269 complaints filed about the Mazda CX-5 are about the throttle and cruise control — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.
117
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
30
Crashes
0
Fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11747755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11747755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2025 . The contact was in a parking lot of a shopping center, put the car in gear and the steering wheel became inoperable , vehicle would not stop while depressing the brakes. Four additional vehicles were damaged from the impact with one vehicle deemed a total loss. The right front end was impacted including the hood and the right wheel. No additional property damage. The vehicle came to a stop in the parking lot from impacting the vehicles. Both front driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was deemed as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact sustained injuries left broken clavicle, left arm, left and right knees received lacerations and lacerations and 3 broken ribs on the left side and hematoma and received medical treatment at the emergency room intensive care. A woman in the back seat of one of the parked vehicles sustained minor injuries and received medical treatment. The dealer nor manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,837
NHTSA complaint #11739385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2021 Mazda CX5 AWD- Non Turbo Engine. Sunny Day, Dry. My Car was clean. No Precipitation. Some shadows of the interstate light poles across the road 200-300 feet in front of me, but they were thin shadows. Sun Was to my Left. I was driving South on May 01 2026 about 10am on the Interstate going Highway Speeds, with adaptive cruise control "on", in the 2nd lane of a 4 lane interstate. Thankfully no other traffic ahead or behind me. Car slammed on the brakes suddenly, pretty hard. I counteracted and added more gas pedal to keep in going. I turned off the Cruise Control. After a while I re-engaged the Cruise Control and had no issues. This could have been a huge accident in busier traffic. Will get the car checked out at Mazda Dealership Service this week.
NHTSA complaint #11735370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Sudden acceleration even. Date April 10, 2026, at around 2:30 PM on a clear sunny day. Car make and model Mazda CX5 bought on 7/4/2023 VIN [XXX] , mileage around 10,000, only one owner. While attempting to park at BJ’s Wholesale Club ,when driver started to make a turn to a parking space, vehicle suddenly accelerated, applying the brakes stopped the forward motion, then driver put the car in reverse to try to properly park in a parking space and the car accelerated in reverse, this sudden motion could have killed or seriously injured any person passing in back of the car, when that motion stopped driver put the car in drive to be able to finally park the car and it sped uncontrollably, brakes didn’t stop the vehicle and it crashed against two vehicles parked nearby, damage to the Mazda vehicle was mainly to the left side, the front grill was not damage because driver was not able to control the rapid forward motion. Mazda dealer wanted the body of car repaired before checking the safety issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11735283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My wife was driving our 2016 Mazda CX-5, and was getting ready to pull into our daughters' driveway. My wife slowed down to a stop before entering the driveway. She gave the vehicle some gas to move forward. She stated that there was a pause, then the vehicle accelerated forward slamming into the garage door and the corner of the garage/house. There was also a Tesla parked inside the garage that was knocked back about a foot and a half. The distance from the edge of driveway and street to the garage door is about 27 feet. This happened at 1:30 PM. The weather conditions were great, sunny and dry. Thankfully, no one was hurt. If my wife was another foot to the right, she would have hit the support post for the upper balcony, and there would have been a good chance of the balcony falling on top of her. Or, if someone was standing in front of my wife when she entered the driveway, they could have seriously been hurt! There were no warning lights on prior to the accident. This happened last Sunday, April 19, 2026. We had the car towed to a local body shop on the same day as the accident. The vehicle was towed away the very next day to our insurance company's salvage lot in Bakersfield. I do have all the information, address and phone number, of the lot where our car was towed to. Hopefully, the car can still be inspected by the proper authorities. Thank you for your time!
NHTSA complaint #11734199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The vehicle exhibits unintended acceleration behavior when the brake pedal is applied. Instead of slowing down, the engine revs and the vehicle does not decelerate as expected. On March 16, 2026, while merging onto a highway and applying the brakes, the engine suddenly revved to approximately 3,500 RPMs while the vehicle failed to slow down. There have been previous issues with the vehicle not slowing when breaks are being applied, nut this is the first instance when it was noticed that the RPMs increased while breaking. This issue has also been reported to the dealership, with service documentation noting that when applying the brakes, the engine revs and the vehicle does not slow or accelerate properly. This creates a dangerous condition where braking input does not result in expected deceleration and may instead cause acceleration-related behavior. The issue has not been resolved. This issue significantly increases the risk of collision and loss of vehicle control.
NHTSA complaint #11732163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While accelerating from a light that had just turned green, after passing through an intersection the vehicle seized up and came to a complete stop. There were no warning lights or any indication of a malfunction. The vehicle did not shut off, the wheels just stopped spinning. After a few seconds it began to accelerate again. It happened on a Sunday, I called the dealership Monday Morning. I was not comfortable driving it after that. They came to pick it up and take it for inspection. Fortunately, no other vehicles were around. This occurred 6 days after purchasing it new. They had it for 2 weeks and said they could not figure what the issue was.
NHTSA complaint #11730510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
The contact leased a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the yellow electronic emergency brake light was displayed. The cruise control and rear brakes were inoperable. The brake pedal was pulsating while depressed. There was smoke coming from the front brakes. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who replaced the brakes, and the module was inoperable, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to three independent mechanics, who determined that the rear brakes were firm. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
NHTSA complaint #11729735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I purchased a 2019 Mazda CX-5 (As is) on July 20, 2015. On September 11, 2025, as I was traveling on a three lane highway. I attempted to pass another vehicle. As I was attempting to go around the vehicle, my Mazda suddenly began braking and quickly losing acceleration. The speed limit on the highway was 70 mph. I estimated my speed at the time was between 70 and 75 mph as I attempted to pass. Pressing on the accelerator pedal did nothing. I had to try and very carefully steer the car to the right hand side of the road while trying to avoid oncoming traffic approaching from behind. When I finally got the car off the road, this is when I noticed that the car had stalled. The car started right back up and I continued to my appointment. The "radar cruise control" was activated at the time of the incident. On September 15, 2025, I contacted the dealer where the car was purchased and explained what happened. I was asked to bring the car in that same day. The car was supposedly looked over and connected to the Service Dept.'s computer to see if any error sign appeared. Nothing showed up. I service technician was then asked to ride with me to see if the car would replicated the same stalling as it has previously done. We could not get the car to stall as it had previously done. Before leaving, a salesman asked me if I wanted him to explain the "radar cruise control" to me some more. I agreed. The salesman then proceeded to tell me that "the car did not stall, it was simply braking from the activation of the radar cruise control". Being an experienced driver, I told the salesman that the car had stalled as evidenced by the fact that I had to restart it. The situation was not resolved to my satisfaction, but no other offers were made by the dealer. I requested additional diagnostic work to be done, but the dealer refused to cooperate. I did take the car to another Mazda dealer, but could get no offer but to connect the car to their computer.
NHTSA complaint #11721085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The system that failed was the acceleration. This how it happened the first time, because after that it has happened at least two more in one year. I was leaving my office parking area, and I was waiting for the cars in front of me to continue moving. Then I was ready to start moving and put my foot on the accelerator and just went to a high acceleration. Which I immediately slammed the brakes because otherwise I would have smashed the rear part of the vehicle in front of me. My safety was in jeopardy because if I would have hit the car in front of me and my airbags would have deployed. And the speed of the acceleration was so, that the driver in front of me would have definitely felt it in his neck and God forbids what else!!! Yes, I reported to my dealer, and they said that nothing showed in their computer system, and mentioned something of a throttler not been wrong, (which I don't know what that is). There were no warning lamps or messages in the dashboard prior to the failure. This happened to me again in random occasions where I was just getting my car out of my parking in my condominium, also lucky, it was early in the morning and no cars around. AND the other instance also in my condominium parking area, but this time arriving, and also, lucky no cars near!!!! Your website describes a similar complaint for the same make and model of my car, thus implying that there is a problem with the system.
NHTSA complaint #11718027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Important note for snowing conditions: The radar for adaptive cruise control is located in the front Mazda emblem. Snow buildup on the emblem can block the radar's signal and disable the adaptive cruise control system when driving. A heating element is necessary to prevent snow accumulation and maintain functionality.
NHTSA complaint #11699368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle exhibits trembling while idling and previously showed erratic behavior during hard stops. Possible issue with the engine control software or powertrain system. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The trembling at idle and inconsistent braking behavior compromise vehicle stability and driver control, especially in heavy traffic or emergency situations. These symptoms raise serious concerns about a potential underlying defect. Mazda has issued recent software-related recalls involving loss of drive power—though not for my model—which heightens my fear that similar risks may exist. I should not have to wait for a catastrophic failure or breakdown to validate my safety concerns. By then, it may be too late. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Mastria Mazda in Raynham, MA acknowledged the issue and performed a software update. While braking behavior improved slightly, the trembling at idle and other concerns persist. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No formal inspection has been conducted. I mailed a detailed letter to Mazda’s corporate office in Hiroshima in July 2025 and received confirmation of receipt, but no response or inspection followed. I also mailed a letter to Quirk Mazda, the dealership where I purchased the vehicle, and received no reply. When I attempted to discuss the issue the service manager at Quirk Mazda dismissed my concerns and stated it would be “impossible to recreate” the issue. No one from Mazda or its representatives has contacted me to inspect or address the problem. 5. No warning lamps or dashboard messages appeared. The trembling and braking issues began shortly after purchase.
NHTSA complaint #11690802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while the cruise control was activated and driving 65 MPH in the middle lane of a busy six-lane highway, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle was suddenly stalled and coasted to a complete stop in the middle of the highway. The contact was able to restart the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure and was unable to confirm that the failure had occurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,000.
NHTSA complaint #11689633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while his wife was entering the garage, at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated; the brake pedal was applied but failed to respond, and it crashed into the refrigerator. The contact was concerned that the failure could have occurred while children were at play. No warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, airbag deployments, fires, or police reports filed. There was a tire imprint on the garage floor. The contact called the local dealer, who scheduled an appointment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case and confirmed there was no recall coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11681506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
For the 3rd or 4th time since I have own this car I experienced a loss of acceleration when attempting to make quick acceleration while attempting to merge with traffic. Acceleration is fine around town where quick acceleration is not appropriate. But the first attempt to merge with flowing traffic the car will slowly accelerates to about 30 mph and no more regardless as to position of accelerator pedal. On all occasion this bad behavior has this first drive of the day - going to work in the a.m. There is often a warning message indicating the safety radar is not working due to limited visibility which is a very common warning in the a.m.
NHTSA complaint #11673265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
When in the highway and changing lanes and you try to excelerate it doesnt take off ..instead just acts as if i had over excelerated but not speeding up.. i have almost been ran over because i could not get enough speed to switch lanes.
NHTSA complaint #11667554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Straight to the point, I backed the vehicle up, pushed the brake peddle in and shifted into park. The engine begun to increase in RPMs and I could hear the engine load increase, maybe about 2,000 to 5,000 rpms higher than idle or first start building vacuum idle, as if I was pushing on the accelerator. I literally looked down at the peddles, as I was just doing a quick spot change in my driveway, the accelerator did not appear to be stuck or in contact with the aftermarket winter weather plastic floor mat. I decompressed the brake peddle again and shifted the car from P to D and the engine went to its normal baseline idling RPMs and sound. I put it back in P and turned it off, no issue. I have noticed this problem before, but I only noticed it during this past winter season and blamed it on my winter boots and/or myself instead of the vehicle. I am going to guess this has happened in total about 4 times, including the most recent incident that I just wrote about. The CX-5 is connected to Mazda's network/ data service or whatever it is called, because I like my cars clock to maintain correct time, which it won't or can't do if I prefer my privacy from Mazda. So Mazda should be able to see what happened on their end. It happened in the late afternoon to early evening. I do also use 'auto hold' daily and cruise control w/out radar active.
NHTSA complaint #11658705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was in the drive thru at a restaurant and had my foot on the brake. After a couple of minutes of sitting with my foot on the brake, I gently pressed the accelerator to slowly move forward. All of a sudden the car sped up on its own like I had floored it. The speed of acceleration threw my head back and the car whipped around the front of the building as that's where I was steering. I braked and it thankfully stopped, but if a car had been in front of me I would have slammed into it. I could have hit a pedestrian. This was very scary and its an obvious safety concern. Mazda needs to look into this issue as I see there are other reports on this website and on the internet by numerous people for the same issue of sudden acceleration by the vehicle on its own.
NHTSA complaint #11623379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The vehicle accelerated on its own, while I was parking. My foot was on the brake when the vehicle just took off. It continued to accelerate until a building stopped it. I continued to brake but the vehicle did not stop. Once the vehicle collided with building, saw on the digital read out the "Brake System Malfunction" and then Camera Malfunction. The vehicle was towed from the site and the insurance adjuster has sent me word that the vehicle is a total loss.
NHTSA complaint #11616109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.