FaultScore

Mazda CX-50 brake problems

26 of the 212 complaints filed about the Mazda CX-50 are about the braking system — 12% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2023.

26

Complaints

12%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

0

Fires

Brakes complaints by model year

2023 CX-50 15 57.7%
2024 CX-50 6 23.1%

Median failure at 2,500 miles

2025 CX-50 5 19.2%

What owners said

2024 Mazda CX-50 Grand Rapids, MI Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

Driver of the vehicle was parking the vehicle in a parking lot, foot nowhere near the accelerator when the car suddenly surged forward striking a parking pole.. The driver side front quarter panel took on heavy damage along with the sensors.. Car had to be towed... It accelerated by itself...

NHTSA complaint #11750004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Winston-Salem, NC

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.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Lyons, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

Rear differential failure, and side seat tear on 2023 Mazda cx 50

NHTSA complaint #11747582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Poquoson, VA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

I previously reported the auto breaking system would slam on breaks prematurely. Now it was a factor in an accident where the Mazda CX-50 was rear-ended by a Ram 2500 truck at full speed on the highway. Car is incompaitated and I have suffered injuries.

NHTSA complaint #11746992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Poquoson, VA

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.

2025 Mazda CX-50 St Petersburg, FL Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

TO NTSA - 2025 Mazda CX-50 Premium Turbo Plus - Purchased [XXX] - Less than 2,000 miles Driving north on [XXX] , I took exit [XXX] . When slowing to change to the right-hand lane, it surged then rapidly accelerated. Stepping on the brake did not slow it down, increased acceleration. To avoid hitting cars in my lane, I jumped the curb to the frontage road, continually pumping on the brake. The left front wheel and axle broke off and landed 20 ft away. The vehicle did not slow down; It was stopped by snapping a power pole in half. While trying to grab my purse, two Good Samaritans yelled at me to get out of the car, it was smoking and there were power lines overhead. Miraculously, I walked away. The Mazda salesman we purchased from was notified with photo. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11739636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Mazda CX-50 Dover Plains, NY

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.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Houston, TX Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

On 1/14/2026, I was pulling into a parking space in a parking garage when the vehicle abruptly accelerated causing the vehicle to hit the concrete wall in front of me. No braking assist or front collision warning issued. Airbags deployed. The car is currently at Joe Myers Collision Center in Houston, Texas to obtain an estimate for repair. The police did not respond to reported incident. Incident was reported to my insurance company immediately.

NHTSA complaint #11711337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Austin, TX

SERVICE BRAKES

Following a professional brake flush at Roger Beasley Mazda Central in Austin, Texas, the left front brake bleeder screw was left loose. This resulted in a significant loss of brake fluid over several days, causing a 'Brake Warning' light to illuminate and a visible reduction in braking performance. A secondary inspection by an independent mechanic confirmed the screw was not tightened, which caused corrosive fluid to leak onto the wheel and compromised the safety of the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11706402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Mazda CX-50 at 2,500 miles Rutland, VT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that there was uneven brake wear on the inner brake pad. The contact stated that the inner side of the brake pads were wearing before the outer sides. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front brake pads and rotors were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.

NHTSA complaint #11672499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Mazda CX-50 at 2,500 miles Rutland, VT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that there was uneven brake wear on the inner brake pad. The contact stated that the inner side of the brake pads were wearing before the outer sides. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the front brake pads and rotors were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.

NHTSA complaint #11672499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Applegate, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

The stock manufacturer brakes on this vehicle have been known for issues. There is a open recall on some models but according to records my vehicle does not fall under the listed VIN numbers associated with the recall. Although my vehicle experiences the same concerns the recall list stats. The brakes seem to intermittently have trouble slowing the car down while ascending slopes and coming to a immediate stop. Often you are forced to use excessive force on the pedal and it still does not come to a complete stop.With the amount of forced iv had to use in the past the brakes should lock up and and create a slide but iv never experienced it. If im am not careful and maintain all attention to what its front of me i fear i will create a accident some day. To often in stop and go traffic or abrupt braking situations i have not been able to assure the vehical will stop . This causes concerns due to always having to travel at slower speeds and politically car repair bills. The life expectancy on the brakes are wearing out quickly. I am not a aggressive driver so i should have no problems with premature brake wear. Iv had the brakes inspected by the same dealership multiple times but they always say there's nothing wrong. The brakes have felt the same since purchasing date. Now we are two years into own the vehicle. The dealership is no help and the manufacture is not as well.

NHTSA complaint #11659731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Mazda CX-50 Atlanta, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

The vehicle jerks while slowing down/low speed.

NHTSA complaint #11648455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Cary, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

Several times in the past 2-3 weeks. I have placed my car from park to reverse or drive and when I release my foot from the brake. The car doesn’t move. A loud pop occurs and then the car begins to move.

NHTSA complaint #11645359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Mazda CX-50 Hatboro, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

upon inspection cracks were found in both rear brake rotors

NHTSA complaint #11641948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Little Neck, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

When driving, the car automatically apply the brakes even though there is no car or any obstruction in front of the vehicle. This happens 3-4 times in the last year. The i-ACTIVESENSE System malfunction. The brake system malfunction. Now I am receiving a Critical Vehicle Malfunction Alert. I am bringing my car to the dealer tomorrow morning (Monday, December 23rd, 2024) for it to be addressed. This is a very serious and dangerous issue and almost cost me an accident on two occasion.

NHTSA complaint #11632011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Mazda CX-50 at 13,522 miles Gary, IN

SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 2 MPH into a parking slot, the rear back up sensor warning was illuminated. The contact stated that the sensor was designed to alert the driver whenever the vehicle was too close to an object. The contact stated that the rear collision braking system warning was also illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that a factory installed trailer hitch warning was also illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that the electrical failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the front brakes were making an abnormal rubbing sound. The contact stated that after releasing the brake pedal the sound stopped. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to the same dealer several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,522.

NHTSA complaint #11629934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Mundelein, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

I was hearing squealing, as if the brake pads were worn. Called the dealer to ask about parts, was asked to bring it in as it seems too soon for brakes. Upon inspection I was told my rear brakes are worn out at 22k highway miles, and will need rotors too. I asked how this is possible and for a manager whom then stated I could do just the pads. Still no explanation on how, but won't be covered on the warranty. I left without doing the repair because I wanted another mechanic to look at this since you can only get the rear pads from Mazda, so it's expensive. I do need this done and I believe there is a problem with the brake system or the electronic brake you hear engage Everytime you shut the car off. There are also several others complaining about this on Reddit, Google and YouTube, but Mazda seems to be looking the other way in it. I can say this is my 12th Mazda and I have never had one that has needed brakes before 60-70,000 miles and that was with city driving. There is clearly an issue and I'm not the only one.

NHTSA complaint #11615873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Oakland, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

Emergency braking activated with no obvious scenario that would engage it. On different occasion, emergency braking activated in stop and go traffic, causing extreme deceleration resulting in engine stalling.

NHTSA complaint #11611951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Mazda CX-50 Peoria, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES

Vehicle was purchase new, experienced safety concerns front brakes driver and passenger leaking brake fluid near brake calipers no warning lights. Fluid in the reservoir got pretty low. Pending case with Mazda USA. Local dealer stated over the phone was not covered because out of warranty 47,000 miles 2023 CX-50 Turbo mostly highway miles this vehicle was purchased as daily driver.

NHTSA complaint #11592215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Mazda CX-50 problems