2025 Mazda CX-50 problems

ENGINE

"My 2025 Mazda CX-50 began overheating while still under the factory warranty. During one incident, the engine lost coolant and overheated. I immediately shut the engine off to prevent damage. The vehicle continues to overheat, and the air conditioning only cools properly while the vehicle is moving. When stopped or idling, the A/C stops cooling. I have reported the issue to my Mazda dealer and opened Mazda Customer Experience Case Number 00473077. The problem remains unresolved despite multiple attempts to obtain assistance. I am concerned this condition presents a safety risk." "The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Mazda dealership on two separate occasions. The dealership kept the vehicle for several days during these inspections but reported that it could not reproduce or identify the cause of the overheating. Despite these inspections, the overheating condition and the air conditioning issue continue. During one of the service visits, I also discovered scratches to the vehicle's exterior that were not present before it was left with the dealership."

NHTSA complaint #11753687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

While driving my 2025 Mazda CX-50, the entire center-dash climate control panel (HVAC module) suffered a sudden, spontaneous, and total electrical power blackout. The unit completely loses power and goes dark exactly as if the power button was pressed. This is a recurring failure that occurs after only a few minutes of vehicle operation. This electrical failure immediately cuts all airflow and A/C cooling to the cabin. The unit can temporarily be turned back on manually, only to black out and fail completely again minutes later. This represents my second consecutive modern Mazda vehicle to experience an early-mileage HVAC hardware/electrical failure (previously a CX-30), indicating a dangerous, recurring manufacturing defect in Mazda’s electrical/climate control architecture that requires a formal safety recall. Additional Considerations: Distraction and Loss of Driver Focus, Rapid Window Fogging and Blindness, Extreme Heat Exhaustion and In-Cabin Medical Emergency, and Broader Electrical Fault Concerns.

NHTSA complaint #11752977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

While driving my 2025 Mazda CX-50, the entire center-dash climate control panel (HVAC module) suffered a sudden, spontaneous, and total electrical power blackout. The unit completely loses power and goes dark exactly as if the power button was pressed. This is a recurring failure that occurs after only a few minutes of vehicle operation. This electrical failure immediately cuts all airflow and A/C cooling to the cabin. The unit can temporarily be turned back on manually, only to black out and fail completely again minutes later. This represents my second consecutive modern Mazda vehicle to experience an early-mileage HVAC hardware/electrical failure (previously a CX-30), indicating a dangerous, recurring manufacturing defect in Mazda’s electrical/climate control architecture that requires a formal safety recall. Additional Considerations: Distraction and Loss of Driver Focus, Rapid Window Fogging and Blindness, Extreme Heat Exhaustion and In-Cabin Medical Emergency, and Broader Electrical Fault Concerns.

NHTSA complaint #11752977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

While driving my 2025 Mazda CX-50, the entire center-dash climate control panel (HVAC module) suffered a sudden, spontaneous, and total electrical power blackout. The unit completely loses power and goes dark exactly as if the power button was pressed. This is a recurring failure that occurs after only a few minutes of vehicle operation. This electrical failure immediately cuts all airflow and A/C cooling to the cabin. The unit can temporarily be turned back on manually, only to black out and fail completely again minutes later. This represents my second consecutive modern Mazda vehicle to experience an early-mileage HVAC hardware/electrical failure (previously a CX-30), indicating a dangerous, recurring manufacturing defect in Mazda’s electrical/climate control architecture that requires a formal safety recall. Additional Considerations: Distraction and Loss of Driver Focus, Rapid Window Fogging and Blindness, Extreme Heat Exhaustion and In-Cabin Medical Emergency, and Broader Electrical Fault Concerns.

NHTSA complaint #11752977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake booster failure in less than two years of ownership. It seems to be an issue with A LOT of these models. Very unsafe to have any brake failure

NHTSA complaint #11748108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL SURGES BEYOND NORMAL LIMITS, HAS TRIED TO TAKE CURVES ON EXITS SO FAST THE TIRES SLIDE AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. ALSO, WHEN PULLING OUT FROM BEHIND A CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS IN TOO FAST AND IS FLYING TOWARD STOPPED CARS, AND I HAVE TO USE THE BRAKE TO STOP IT OR REAR-END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALSO, THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK, AND I WAS STRANDED. COMPUTER WOULD NOT OPEN THE FUEL TANK FOR ME TO PUT FUEL INTO IT. HAS TO PRY THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OFF AND BREAK IT. THEN FUEL WOULD NOT GO INTO THE FUEL TANK, AIR PRESSURE KEPT TURNING OFF THE PUMP. AFTER THOSE INCIDENTS GOT THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER AND TWO DAYS LATER IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE GARAGE, NOTHING WORKED, LOCKS, BACK LATCH, ETC. WHEN THEY RECARGED IT THERE WERE DOZENS OF CODES ON.

NHTSA complaint #11742406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

When approaching cars at an intersection, the brake warning does not give any warning, but the cars brake, lock up, and throw me and anything in the seat flying into the floor or side compartment. It was not even necessary to stop that quickly. Totally random and could cause an accident.

NHTSA complaint #11742408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CRUISE CONTROL SURGES BEYOND NORMAL LIMITS, HAS TRIED TO TAKE CURVES ON EXITS SO FAST THE TIRES SLIDE AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. ALSO, WHEN PULLING OUT FROM BEHIND A CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS IN TOO FAST AND IS FLYING TOWARD STOPPED CARS, AND I HAVE TO USE THE BRAKE TO STOP IT OR REAR-END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALSO, THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK, AND I WAS STRANDED. COMPUTER WOULD NOT OPEN THE FUEL TANK FOR ME TO PUT FUEL INTO IT. HAS TO PRY THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OFF AND BREAK IT. THEN FUEL WOULD NOT GO INTO THE FUEL TANK, AIR PRESSURE KEPT TURNING OFF THE PUMP. AFTER THOSE INCIDENTS GOT THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER AND TWO DAYS LATER IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE GARAGE, NOTHING WORKED, LOCKS, BACK LATCH, ETC. WHEN THEY RECARGED IT THERE WERE DOZENS OF CODES ON.

NHTSA complaint #11742406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

When approaching cars at an intersection, the brake warning does not give any warning, but the cars brake, lock up, and throw me and anything in the seat flying into the floor or side compartment. It was not even necessary to stop that quickly. Totally random and could cause an accident.

NHTSA complaint #11742408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL SURGES BEYOND NORMAL LIMITS, HAS TRIED TO TAKE CURVES ON EXITS SO FAST THE TIRES SLIDE AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. ALSO, WHEN PULLING OUT FROM BEHIND A CAR, THE CRUISE CONTROL KICKS IN TOO FAST AND IS FLYING TOWARD STOPPED CARS, AND I HAVE TO USE THE BRAKE TO STOP IT OR REAR-END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ALSO, THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK, AND I WAS STRANDED. COMPUTER WOULD NOT OPEN THE FUEL TANK FOR ME TO PUT FUEL INTO IT. HAS TO PRY THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY OFF AND BREAK IT. THEN FUEL WOULD NOT GO INTO THE FUEL TANK, AIR PRESSURE KEPT TURNING OFF THE PUMP. AFTER THOSE INCIDENTS GOT THE CAR BACK FROM THE DEALER AND TWO DAYS LATER IT WAS COMPLETELY DEAD IN THE GARAGE, NOTHING WORKED, LOCKS, BACK LATCH, ETC. WHEN THEY RECARGED IT THERE WERE DOZENS OF CODES ON.

NHTSA complaint #11742406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

I rented this vehicle from Enterprise (EAN HOLDINS LLC) in Collierville Tn. on 5/19/25 I rented the vehicle to attend a funeral in Virginia. I drove 1803 miles there and back. While it was raining and cold, I used the seat heaters on and off when I noticed that my legs and gluts began to become irritated and inflamed. Once I finally was home late that night, I observed that I had been burned on legs and glut area. The areas were red and inflamed. That morning I had blisters and large red/purple bruises which I began documenting with photos. I went to see my doctor who stated that I had 1st and 2nd degree burns which he then photographed and documented in my chart and prescribed some meds. Today the areas are still numb but appear to be healing. I did report this incident to Enterprise locally and I also made a complaint with the company's corporate office 1800 numbers. These car seat heaters are extremely dangerous

NHTSA complaint #11740251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The issue is that the rear window spontaneously shattered. My car was parked in the driveway at the time. I got into the driver seat, like usual, and closed the door with normal velocity. Immediately after closing the door, I heard a 'crinkling' sound that my brain couldn't identify. I looked into the back seat to see if I could see what had made the noise, but didn't see anything that answered that question. As I looked into my rear view mirror, before starting the car, I saw blue sky - which wasn't usual (the window is tinted dark). I turned around again, and saw that I was seeing Through the back window. My initial thought was that the hatch was up. I got out of the car, went to the back, and discovered an utterly shattered window. I would say that most of the glass bits fell into the car, but a fair amount fell onto the driveway. At first, I supposed a neighbor kid may have accidentally thrown a big rock and hit the window, but there was no rock to be found. I might have considered a branch from an area tree, but there was zero wind and no culprit branch. There was no obvious object that might have been blamed. I called my husband out to look and as I retold the story to him, I realized that the mystery 'crinkling' noise was certainly the window shattering in that moment. Btw, he had driven the car to the store in just the prior hour or two and all had been well. I contacted the Mazda dealership. They said their technician would have to look at it before authorizing it as a warranty item. We made the appointment, wrapped the window in Saran Wrap as best as able, and brought it in. They concurred that there was no obvious reason, that they could see, as to why it shattered. Nonetheless, Mazda did not authorize a full replacement of the window, but did authorize the dealership to offer a good will gesture of $300 toward replacement. There had been no indication that there was any impending issue and no obvious prior cracks or dings in the rear window.

NHTSA complaint #11739916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Emergency brake came on as I was backing out of parking space, pausing to double check for traffic not seen on camera. The emergency brake froze on "on" and car was stuck, unmovable, in traffic lane. The emergency brake would not release when put in reverse or drive. The same problem happened again the next day in forward. Two different dealers were not able to duplicate the problem. No warning lights came on.

NHTSA complaint #11739471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Stopped at a convenience store in [XXX] . Upon return to vehicle, it would not start. A check engine light and steering alert came on. According to ChatGPT it appeared to be an electrical problem. AI recommended that the vehicle be "rebooted". That entailed putting the car in Park, turning the ignition off, turning off all accessories, getting out of the car, locking it with the FOB, and walking away from the car with the FOB. Don't return until after 5 minutes or more. The second incident occurred on the out skirts of [XXX] . The instrument panel went dark for a half a second or so. Once it became illuminated, another warning alert appeared: Telematics Communication Unit Malfunctioned. AI suggest not turning ignition off until we reached our final distination. Have a dealer run a diagnostic scan on the voltage system. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11736877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HANDLE:INTERIOR

Door handle cables detach easily which prevents the door from being opened from the inside. It has happened to me twice on my driver side door the last 5 months. Research online shows this is a very common problem with newer Mazdas and it is a major safety hazard as it prevents easy exit from the vehicle in the event of an emergency, especially if there is power loss so the windows cannot be opened.

NHTSA complaint #11735272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a potential safety-related defect in my 2025 Mazda CX-50 Preferred, which is approximately four months old. On one occasion, the vehicle moved backward while in Drive mode. This occurred twice on the same day under similar conditions on a slight incline. After starting the vehicle, I shifted into Drive and applied acceleration; however, the vehicle moved backward instead of forward. The rearward motion continued despite active acceleration input. This behavior is not consistent with normal rollback on an incline. The continued backward movement under acceleration indicates a possible issue with transmission engagement, gear recognition, or electronic control systems. I reported the issue to an authorized Mazda dealer. I was informed that shifting the gear too quickly may cause a delay in system response, resulting in the vehicle behaving as though still in Reverse. I consider this explanation unacceptable for a modern automatic vehicle and indicative of a potential defect. This condition presents a safety risk. Unintended rearward movement while in Drive could lead to collisions, especially in situations involving other vehicles, pedestrians, or objects behind the vehicle. Although the issue has not reoccurred since that day, the intermittent nature raises concern about reliability and the potential for recurrence without warning. I request that this issue be investigated as a potential safety defect.

NHTSA complaint #11727755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

After about six months of ownership, a knocking noise started happening from the front of the vehicle when turning the wheel all of the way to the right. A month or so later I brought it to a Mazda dealership in Green Brook, NJ. I was told by the service advisor that she had the same vehicle and was advised that this was normal. She explained everything exactly as I had experienced it. She told me I could wait in the dealership for 3/4 hours, but the technicians would most likely just tell me the same. Over time, the suspension deteriorated. Bumps felt more and more noticeable and a lot of noise inside the cabin. Specifically, a lot of vibrating on the right side of the vehicle: windows, front passenger seat, and the trunk window. Looking over the internet, it seems like this problem is apparent in multiple vehicle years, but never properly addressed via a recall: [XXX] . The vehicle is currently in Sansone Mazda in [XXX] . They replaced the right CV and the problem did not go away. I was told they would have to contact Mazda corporate. They did and I was then advised that they would need to replace the left CV axel, as well. Not surprisingly based on the frequency of this issue, that part was unavailable and on back order. I don't know how long I'll be without my car at this point. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11727563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

There is a recall for earlier models regarding "break clunk." The parking break, when sitting overnight in cold or wet environments, makes a loud bang noise when going into motion for the first time. The parking break seems to be sticking to something.

NHTSA complaint #11726766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.