158 of the
3,269 complaints filed about the Mazda CX-5
are about the driver-assist systems —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2018.
158
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
19
Crashes
0
Fires
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
While driving in the Interstate, a truck swerved towards my lane; I swerved into the next lane to avoid the truck hitting me and when I began to swerve my Lane Departure warning malfunctioned and caused my car to completely shut down. I immediately put my hazard lights on to hopefully avoid being hit; but, a car behind plowed right into my rear end. The police were onsite at the accident. My vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and my insurance representative.
NHTSA complaint #11755082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was sitting at a traffic light with my foot on the brake waiting to turn left onto Lee Highway from Fairfax County Parkway. Car jerked forward TWO times in a row, both times hitting the car in front of me. Our lane was at a dead stop waiting for the left hand arrow. The cars to the right of us had the green and were moving forward. I felt like I had no control over the car during this time.
NHTSA complaint #11753806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was sitting at a traffic light with my foot on the brake waiting to turn left onto Lee Highway from Fairfax County Parkway. Car jerked forward TWO times in a row, both times hitting the car in front of me. Our lane was at a dead stop waiting for the left hand arrow. The cars to the right of us had the green and were moving forward. I felt like I had no control over the car during this time.
NHTSA complaint #11753806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At about 6:50am July 7th 2026, I was getting in the exit lane of interstate 50 to exit. I merge into the lane and being applying my breaks since I was going about 55-60mph. However, my vehicle did not slow down. I began to press harder, it still did not slow down, so I pressed as hard as I could because I was rapidly approaching stopped vehicles. The vehicle began to make a grinding sound, it started shaking, and then a "break" light appeared on the instrument panel. After this it came to a sudden and violent stop. I have taken it to the dealership for similar issues many times since I got the vehicle in October 2025. Each time they state that they cannot replicate the issue and the vehicle operates as it should. It is under warranty so I have not taken anywhere other than the Mazda dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11751240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At about 6:50am July 7th 2026, I was getting in the exit lane of interstate 50 to exit. I merge into the lane and being applying my breaks since I was going about 55-60mph. However, my vehicle did not slow down. I began to press harder, it still did not slow down, so I pressed as hard as I could because I was rapidly approaching stopped vehicles. The vehicle began to make a grinding sound, it started shaking, and then a "break" light appeared on the instrument panel. After this it came to a sudden and violent stop. I have taken it to the dealership for similar issues many times since I got the vehicle in October 2025. Each time they state that they cannot replicate the issue and the vehicle operates as it should. It is under warranty so I have not taken anywhere other than the Mazda dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11751240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) suffers from a severe, persistent electronic hardware malfunction that causes the central information display and dashboard telemetry to blink, cycle, and drop signals erratically. This specific hardware architecture failure threatens to corrupt data transmission lines directly connected to the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), creating an imminent safety risk of unintended automatic emergency braking or false sensor deployment during highway transit. The vehicle utilizes the exact same defective CMU hardware component that the manufacturer has acknowledged and recalled on other model cohorts; however, the manufacturer has explicitly excluded this specific VIN from safety recall eligibility. Diagnostic attempts by the authorized dealer network relied solely on forcing digital software updates that completely failed to correct the core hardware signaling instability, leaving the vehicle un-repaired and presenting an active, unmitigated electrical and safety hazard on public roads.
NHTSA complaint #11750866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) suffers from a severe, persistent electronic hardware malfunction that causes the central information display and dashboard telemetry to blink, cycle, and drop signals erratically. This specific hardware architecture failure threatens to corrupt data transmission lines directly connected to the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), creating an imminent safety risk of unintended automatic emergency braking or false sensor deployment during highway transit. The vehicle utilizes the exact same defective CMU hardware component that the manufacturer has acknowledged and recalled on other model cohorts; however, the manufacturer has explicitly excluded this specific VIN from safety recall eligibility. Diagnostic attempts by the authorized dealer network relied solely on forcing digital software updates that completely failed to correct the core hardware signaling instability, leaving the vehicle un-repaired and presenting an active, unmitigated electrical and safety hazard on public roads.
NHTSA complaint #11750866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have a serious safety issue with my 2025 Mazda CX-5, purchased new in January 2026 from Island Mazda on [XXX]. A few days before the critical alert, I noticed the car stopping on its own before pressing the brake. While driving on the highway, I received a “faulty sensor” alert that went away. On July 10, 2026, I received a Critical Vehicle Malfunction Alert in the MyMazda app. The app gave no specific details. I called Mazda Customer Experience. They confirmed via email the system labels it as a Parking Brake Malfunction and instructed me not to drive the vehicle. They advised it could stop at any time or not stop. I also experienced pulling and unprompted braking while driving. On XXX, I called Island Mazda service multiple times (calls went to a call center). No callbacks. I went in person. General Manager [XXX] was unavailable; Sales Manager [XXX] advised towing to [XXX]. The car was towed XXX at 1:29 PM. No confirmation call. I called again at ~2 PM. Technician [XXX] called first. Service Manager [XXX] later called and was rude/dismissive. He yelled when I mentioned lemon law saying he can no longer speak to me when i mention that, downplayed the issue, refused to discuss documentation, and suggested I test drive the unsafe vehicle with them to figure out whats wrong. He spoke over me and said it would take a long time to fix because they are busy. He said he would forward my case to someone else and i agreed he is not capable of handling this appropriately. This is a brand new vehicle under warranty. I have a [XXX] son with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (rare condition requiring stress-dosing for injury). I do not feel safe driving it since the alert never even appeared in my actual car just the mazda app on my phone i do not trust the dealership after this treatment to fix it. Requesting full investigation into the defect and dealership handling. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11750407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The automatic emergency braking system prematurely and overly-aggressively takes over when I have full control of the situation. When it takes control it locks up all four wheels, each time almost causing a rear-end collision. It has done this on a total of 4 occasions under normal congested traffic situations. On or about 6/14/26 I was driving westbound on the Massachusetts Turnpike. There was a sudden traffic stop. I had sufficient distance to stop before colliding with the car in front of me and further had the passing side breakdown lane to divert into if necessary. The emergency braking software took over and locked up the wheels causing the person behind me to have a rear-end collision with my car. There was little-to-no damage and no injuries. The dangerous turnpike traffic conditions discouraged making a police report. Conclusion: System is overly aggressive and creates undue risk of personal injury. The risk far outweighs any benefit the system offers. - Plans to report issue to Mazda during next maintenance appt -No warning lights -Problem is re-occurring but not with independent entity (yet)
NHTSA complaint #11747030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The infotainment system is experiencing the "ghost touch" problem already identified by Mazda and there has already been a class action lawsuit won regarding this problem. I was not aware of this class action lawsuit or I would have participated to have my system repaired. My infotainment system is completely unusable and I have been told it is over $500 to repair/replace. I am the original owner of this vehicle. The system continuously beeps and changes all settings while I am driving. If I am using navigation, the screen switches to something else so that I can't see where I'm supposed to be going, causing undue slowing and or braking in city traffic. This is a safety problem. My infotainment system continuously goes into the settings and changes the navigation guidance volume and the car yells at me that, "NAVIGATION WILL BE AT THIS VOLUME." This has startled me and caused me to either swerve or brake abruptly due to being yelled at with out warning while alone in the vehicle. This is a safety issue. As a female who drives by alone 99% of the time, I have my doors set to lock and unlock in a specific manner to keep me safe. The system randomly resets all of these settings while I'm driving so I have no idea if the doors will be locked or unlocked and whether I will be safe when stopping in city traffic. This is a personal safety issue and causes undue stress. The system calls and hangs up on my family repeatedly, making them think that I am in danger or hurt. They try to call by and get hung up on. This is a safety issue because it causes distracted driving because I am focused on that problem instead of the road. All in all, the whole system is a safety problem and needs attention, especially since Mazda has already admitted to the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11746531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The infotainment system is experiencing the "ghost touch" problem already identified by Mazda and there has already been a class action lawsuit won regarding this problem. I was not aware of this class action lawsuit or I would have participated to have my system repaired. My infotainment system is completely unusable and I have been told it is over $500 to repair/replace. I am the original owner of this vehicle. The system continuously beeps and changes all settings while I am driving. If I am using navigation, the screen switches to something else so that I can't see where I'm supposed to be going, causing undue slowing and or braking in city traffic. This is a safety problem. My infotainment system continuously goes into the settings and changes the navigation guidance volume and the car yells at me that, "NAVIGATION WILL BE AT THIS VOLUME." This has startled me and caused me to either swerve or brake abruptly due to being yelled at with out warning while alone in the vehicle. This is a safety issue. As a female who drives by alone 99% of the time, I have my doors set to lock and unlock in a specific manner to keep me safe. The system randomly resets all of these settings while I'm driving so I have no idea if the doors will be locked or unlocked and whether I will be safe when stopping in city traffic. This is a personal safety issue and causes undue stress. The system calls and hangs up on my family repeatedly, making them think that I am in danger or hurt. They try to call by and get hung up on. This is a safety issue because it causes distracted driving because I am focused on that problem instead of the road. All in all, the whole system is a safety problem and needs attention, especially since Mazda has already admitted to the problem.
NHTSA complaint #11746531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH on the interstate and changing lanes, the blind spot warning light was inoperable. The contact stated that the blind spot indicator then became operable. An independent mechanic was notified of the failure and stated that the repair was not covered. The local dealer was contacted, where a prior unknown diagnostic test was completed; however, the blind spot failure had not been addressed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #11745846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On 06/18/2026, the vehicle displayed multiple safety warnings, including ABS malfunction, dynamic stability control/traction control malfunction, Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning disabled, possible forward sensing camera malfunction, and airbag/seat belt pre-tensioner malfunction. These warnings involve braking, stability control, collision avoidance, airbag, and seat belt safety systems. This was not the first occurrence. On 04/24/2025, the vehicle displayed similar warnings, including critical brake system/Electronic Brake Force Distribution malfunction, ABS malfunction, Smart Brake Support and Forward Obstruction Warning disabled, possible forward sensing camera malfunction, and keyless entry malfunction. The vehicle was towed at that time. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Mazda dealer in June 2026. The dealer replaced the battery under warranty, but I was not provided diagnostic trouble codes, a root-cause explanation, or written confirmation that the braking, ABS, airbag/seat belt, stability control, Smart Brake Support, Forward Obstruction Warning, and forward sensing/camera systems were fully diagnosed and verified safe. The dealer inspection report also listed the mileage as “No Mileage.” The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I do not feel safe driving it because the repeated warnings involve braking, collision avoidance, stability control, airbags, and seat belt systems. I am concerned that an electrical, braking, or safety-control defect may disable safety systems while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11745244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My 2025 Mazda CX-5 includes a Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) stop and go feature. This feature allows the adaptive cruise control to move the vehicle in traffic with minimal drier intervention. As traffic advances the vehicle moves. If traffic stops, the vehicle stops. When clear of vehicles based on the set safe space setting in the adaptive cruise control, it resumes the predetermined speed set in the adaptive cruise control. The problem: While in "traffic jam assist" (TJA) mode, if changing lanes L or R to a lane that has vehicles farther away (clear lane), the cruise control radar/camera then sees a clear opening and begins accelerating to the predetermined speed on the cruise control. However - at this time the system fails to recognize a that another vehicle is farther ahead. maybe 4 or 5 car lengths ahead, and continues accelerating dangerously close to the next vehicle (I cannot say if it will stop or not because I have intervened to apply the brakes), cannot risk a rear end to another vehicle.The system fails to recognize that another vehicle is present after a lane change has occurred and braking or slowing as expected does not take place. This is a common repeatable scenario. The failure to recognize another vehicle after changing lanes is a serious and dangerous problem that should not be taking place. This poses an accident risk from an automated system that has a inherent flaw in its logic/design. The NHTSA should investigate this system and determine what corrective action can be taken to prevent a collision while using this system.
NHTSA complaint #11741835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle's Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) / Smart Brake Support system intermittently triggers "false positive" emergency braking events during critical driving maneuvers, specifically while accelerating to merge into highway traffic. During these events, the system violently applies the brakes with no external hazard present. Crucially, the vehicle fails to acknowledge driver override input. Depressing the accelerator pedal fully does not disengage the automatic braking, stripping the driver of vehicle control and exposing the vehicle to a severe risk of being rear-ended at high speed. Simultaneously, the vehicle experiences a persistent "In-Unit Telematics Malfunction" error on the dashboard, accompanied by rapid-fire mobile app notifications (14 alerts in a single day) stating "Critical Vehicle Malfunction: Vehicle cannot be driven." These communication module errors have persisted despite the dealership applying Mazda's latest software updates, indicating a critical network failure or hardware defect that compromises active safety systems.
NHTSA complaint #11739803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On October 16, 2025, while slowly pulling into a parking space, my vehicle experienced sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input. I did not depress the accelerator. Despite attempting to stop the vehicle, I was unable to do so. The vehicle mounted the curb, entered the sidewalk area, and struck a community mailbox, a tree, and two legally parked vehicles. My vehicle and the two parked vehicles were declared total losses. At the time of the incident, pedestrians, including toddlers, were present on the sidewalk. This loss of vehicle control created an immediate and severe risk of serious bodily injury or death. Post-incident diagnostics indicated multiple system errors, including but not limited to: •Powertrain Control Module •Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) •Instrument Cluster •Smart Brake Support / Mazda Radar Cruise Control Of particular concern is that Mazda, through its authorized dealer Rosenthal Mazda of Gaithersburg, Maryland, had prior notice of abnormal vehicle behavior. On two separate occasions before the crash, I reported that the vehicle would jolt suddenly, as if struck from behind, and at times felt as though it was attempting to accelerate without input. On each occasion, I was informed that the dealer could not duplicate the issue. No corrective action was taken, and the vehicle was returned to service. This event constitutes a serious safety failure involving unintended acceleration and apparent braking or electronic control system malfunction in this-model vehicle. Given the involvement of advanced driver assistance systems and braking components, this matter warrants immediate and thorough review.
NHTSA complaint #11736040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Life-threatening, unoccupied rollaway vehicle with personal injury. Possible and/or suspected issues: "Not-P" switch circuit malfunction; "false park"; lack of cross-module redundancy; lack of BCM and PCM redundancy; Diagnostic Blind Spot; lack of Occupancy-Brake interlock; systematic safety failure culminating in unintended, driverless, runaway Zombie vehicle with personal injury. Background Info: * Low mileage, mainly in-town errands driving. * Not previously reported quirks, possible latent defects: liftgate opening that was hit-or-miss requiring multiple unlock trunk-unlock doors + get out of the car manual attempts; intermittent off-shutdown double-tap issue to power off car; ill-timed "rear seat alert". * Reported "engine won't start" resulting in three key FOB battery replacements and a locked key FOB. Day of Incident: * Auto-lock and the EBS were not used. * Driver intent was to park and unload, then permanently park. Car was in-park twice before ultimately placed in reverse and backed into position, facing downhill on a slight slope and along a left-side stone retaining wall. * Driver thought vehicle was fully in Park. * Attempted open liftgate via "open trunk, open door" routine, which did not work, so I exited the vehicle to try the manual liftgate button, which also did not work. * Three back-and-forth "unlock trunk/doors + manually press liftgate button" did not work. * Note: Upon opening the door or anytime after, I did NOT hear an audible warning that the car was not fully in Park. Nor did the car move/creep in any direction. * Deducing I must need to shut off the car to open the liftgate -- I leaned in and depressed the on/off button. * This caused the car to move forward, driverless, door open and scraping the stone wall, across a secondary road, over an 11" curb, and down a hill before stopping due to a tree. * I was injured. Pinned between a narrowing door and the car, I tried to turn the wheel right before being knocked down/falling
NHTSA complaint #11735788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2026 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the infotainment system failed to operate as intended, and unknown sensors were illuminated. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300.
NHTSA complaint #11734269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My wife's vehicle has a "Infotainment screen" (dashboard touch screen). There is a class action suit (CSP13d dealer letter) for issues regarding the screen performing tasks (Ghost screening touch) on its own. In lieu of a Mazda vehicle mass recall, they agreed to "FIX" the issue with a software update and replace the CMU Module of the vehicle to rectify this issue. I am here to report / advise you that MANY Mazda owners are NOT happy and have taken it upon themselves to disconnect these screens and do other "work around self repairs (removing/ disabling the unit) in order to fix the issues that occur. I have directly contacted Mazda in regards to my issues and they stat they can ONLY do what was advised on the court ordered settlement and NOTHING more to fix the issue. I want to advise you first hand, their FIX for this issue does NOT fix the problems. In fact, it is making it much worse! NOW my wife's vehicle is operating this screen by itself, WHILE driving, creating a MAJOR distraction. This "Ghost Touching" is actually going into the braking system settings and trying to change/ alter them AS she is driving! A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. She has had to, on several occasions, pull over /off the road, shut down the vehicle and try to "reset" what has occurred and check her system for ANY altered setting..if possible. As a retired Police Officer, I can tell you first had that if we ever encountered such thing/ safety issues reported by drivers, we would NOT allow them to travel any further with the vehicle and have it safely towed to a dealer or mechanic for repair. For their safety as well as the rest of the publics safety!! Mazda has refused to fully fix this issue and you can even see on numerous social media posts of MANY others reporting similar issues, disabling their devices on their own and doing other work arounds to mute or disable their devices totally. I Implore you to do a FULL RECALL of ALL affected vehicles to fix the problem ASAP!
NHTSA complaint #11732869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.