10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,757 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Mazda CX-5 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2016 Mazda CX-5 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #63

Aug 142024

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After having brakes serviced brake lights continue to come on. After research from many other complaints they are saying it-??s the emergency parking that needs replaced? We shouldn-??t have to replace this every time the brakes are replaced.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #62

Jun 042024

CX-5

  • miles
Back brakes arent gripping, caliper isn-??t working been changed quite a few times. Either the abs or electric brakes

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #61

Mar 282024

CX-5

  • miles
This vehicle has rear Electric Parking Brakes. Some time it's works sometimes it doesn't release the rear passenger side breaks. The rear passenger side brakes make to much noise and brakes pads destroy rotor earlier then others. Mazda dealers doesn't says to much on that and ask for above $1000 repair to change faulty EPB clipper. But my research says many people have same complaints with this model by mazda built-in around 2016. This is safety issue, if I replace brake pads every 4 or 5 months it cost me money. If I don't I cost me my safety.

- Levittown, NY, USA

problem #60

Sep 272023

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2nd time in 40k miles right rear caliper locked up mechanic suggest getting both left and right replaced figuring if one failed its only a matter of time, calipers should last 10 years and 2nd replacement in 4 years, this is a bad safety issue

- Ossining, NY, USA

problem #59

Apr 132021

CX-5

  • miles
I buy this car 2 years ago and 3 months later is starting having problem with rear passenger brakes I took the car to the mechanic and he change disc and brakes pads. A couple months later is starting having the same problem in the same area but this time is was smell burn coming through the wheel I'm stop the car to check was is going on when I check the brakes it was very very hot. I take the car to the mechanic and he told me the EPB is bad he changed everything disc, brakes pads, caliper and EPB motor. He said try to don't used the EPB too much or I'm going to see you again with same problem ???'... So I'm stop to use the EPB for long time. One day I put my car in the carwash one guy hit the EPB when he's done with the car Im get inside I turn on the car and the brake warning light is starting flashing I say fu** not again and yes EPB get stock. This is make me crazy the EPB need to be fix from the dealer please make this common problem a recalls to getting fix for those people got the same issue.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #58

Mar 312023

CX-5

  • miles
Brakes make a jerking sound decelerating from 40 miles an hour or from coming off a freeway ramp. After two trips to the dealership, the jerking sound still persists, the dealership had mentioned it was either the ball bearings or the brake pads were worn out, but somehow the noise is still there. The vehicle still makes stop safely, but we feel that if this is not resolved that this may become a greater safety issue down the road.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #57

Jan 292023

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Left rear outer brake pad was worn down to the backing plate. After repairs were made, it started smoking while driving. We thought it was going to catch on file. I found a Mazda service bulletin - 04-005/16 - regarding a defective brake control module that controls the electronic parking brake. Why wasn't this a safety recall?

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #56

Aug 012022

CX-5

  • miles
Last month, my vehicle suddenly applied the electronic parking brake (EPB) while I was driving. The EPB & related warning lights illuminated & would not release until the vehicle was turned off. After turning off the vehicle, the EPB motor could be heard applying the brake to the rear wheels. When the car was restarted, the EPB would remain off for a period of time but would then suddenly reapply. I took my vehicle to a Mazda dealer & they determined the calipers & EPB motor had failed due to my vehicle not being placed in service mode by the brake servicer. This explanation makes no sense because the brakes were replaced over a year ago (& not since) with thousands of miles being driven since then without this issue arising. I also conducted my own research & found that Mazda has issued at least 3 separate technical service bulletins (TSB) on this issue. The first two recommended replacement of the EPB switch & the third determined that defective calipers were the cause and should be replaced. I asked the dealer to save my calipers & confirmed that they are part of the defective batch noted in this TSB. I have contacted Mazda (including their legal counsel) & they are unwilling to provide any explanation or engage in any sort of investigation. As former legal counsel for an automotive company, I believe this presents a serious safety issue for consumers based upon the fact that a parking brake could randomly engage while driving & cause sudden loss of speed/control. Thankfully, this did not result in harm to my family, myself or others. I am certain that this issue is affecting others based on chatboard discussions I have found online related to this topic (which helped me find the TSB). I am concerned that Mazda may have attempted to undertake a silent recall via this TSB where in warranty customers are covered & out of warranty customers are given the 'service mode' explanation to justify their responsibility. This should have been handled as a recall by Mazda.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #55

Jul 152017

CX-5

  • miles
Parked by the curb at the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport. I put the car in Park and left the car idling with the air-conditioning running.as it was 95 degrees and about 100 at around 8:00 AM. There was a shuttle van parked by the curb about 11 feet in front of me. I had to exit my car to talk to the driver in the car behind me. I walked to the car behind me and started talking to the driver. I glanced back at my Mazda CX5 and it started rolling forward. I ran up to the car and got the door open and stepped on the brake. The brakes did not engage. I repeated stepping on the brake several times and the car would not stop. I got in the drivers seat to shift the car into reverse and keep my foot on the brake pedal. The car would not shift into reverse. and by this time the Mazda had pinned to the shuttle van a lady who was trying to unload her luggage. On the sixth attempt to shift into reverse the shifter finally moved into reverse and by standers came to the aid of the lady that had been pinned to the shuttle van. Airport security and the Broward County police took the statements. The lady retrieving her baggage declined medical attention. When I checked to see what the police were reporting they did not acknowledge that I was attempting to stop a runaway vehicle. The report said that I failed to put the car in park and left it in drive. It is not possible to get out of a car that is idling and in gear without the car moving forward or backward before you can even get all the way out of the car. This incident happened about mid July in 2017. Near the end of June this year while in my driveway I left the car idling and in park, exited the car walking to the rear of the car and it dropped into reverse. Got back in the car and shut off the engine. July 2017 the local Mazda dealer inspected the vehicle and could not find as problem. Not unlikely with an intermittent electrical anomaly. There were no prior warning lamps in either incident.

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #54

Dec 302021

CX-5

  • miles
* The Emergency Brake Module failed and it is available for inspection upon request. * The system failed and randomly turned on the parking break while I was actively driving and paused to make a left of a highway exit ramp. The parking break remained on for ~40 mins while I caused a significant disturbance to the traffic and safety of other around me as the exit ramp began to back up while awaiting a tow truck. Since it was the emergency break we were not able to put the car in neutral and push it out of the way. * Yes - Arlington Autocare confirmed the issue and has since replaced the part. * No there were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the parts failure. After the issue was identified I searched online and this seems to be an incredibly common issue with the Mazda 2016 CX5. Multiple other reports exist on line about the failure of this park and the rear breaking system. It is very negligent that a recall has not been filed given the pervasiveness of the issue and the seriousness of the safety concern should the part inevitably fail.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #53

May 092021

CX-5

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Ebrake engages on its own when starting up the vehicle. You are unable to turn the ebrake off without restarting the car. The repair shop stated it is a problem with the computer module. A quick search of the internet shows that this is a common issue with this year's make and model. Luckily, the ebrake has not engaged itself yet while driving the vehicle.

- Merrick, NY, USA

problem #52

Mar 202021

CX-5

  • 37,900 miles
I was driving and was approaching a stop sign so I pressed brake to come to a stop. While I was pressing the brake, the car suddenly revved up and lurched forward. I had to switch the car to neutral gear to stop and then back up out of the way of oncoming traffic.

- Whittier, NC, USA

problem #51

Mar 172021

CX-5

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Cx-5. the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to move. The brake and parking brake warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called jeff wyler eastgate Mazda (1117 oh-32, batavia, oh 45103, (513)752-3447) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.

- Amelia, OH, USA

problem #50

Feb 192021

CX-5

  • 29,133 miles
Vehicle has only 29,370 miles driven. The right rear brake lining has undue wear at 3 mm. The left rear brake lining measures 5-6 mm. During routine servicing the Mazda technician discovered abnormal brake wear. Mazda dealership recommends replacement of both rear calipers. Mazda corporation is unwilling to help. It appears maxda Cx-5 is having problems with their epb and is unwilling to admit it.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #49

Feb 072021

CX-5

  • 35,000 miles
The electronic parking brake on my 2016 Mazda Cx-5 started acting strange a few weeks ago. At first it would not disengage after starting the car, but would do so after a couple of restarts. Then it started engaging slightly while driving, with no indications. Stopping and restarting the engine a few times would usually release it. A couple of days ago this happened and the brake would not disengage after several restarts and I was going to call a tow truck. It disengaged after about 30 minutes. As I understand it Mazda knows that the rear caliper is defective (see technical service bulletin R052/16C). This should be a recall item because this is not safe.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #48

Jan 122021

CX-5

  • 63,000 miles
Within the last month the electronic parking brake self engaged 3 times when I started my car I noticed the brake light on. I never engage the parking brake when parked in the driveway. I was able to disengage it twice, but the last time it would not disengage. I followed all the steps listed in the car manual, but nothing worked. I had to drive with the electronic parking brake on to the dealership. Upon inspection the service department confirmed it was an internal electronic failure.

- Tappan, NY, USA

problem #47

Dec 032020

CX-5

  • 31,000 miles
Rear brakes are dragging causing heating and uneven wear of the rotors and pads. At 31000 the rear brake pads are completely worn and rotor show heat damage.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #46

Sep 022019

CX-5

  • 19,000 miles
My tire pressure indicator light was triggered on when I drove the car for about 40 mph. I stopped at a parking lot and I noticed the rear right wheel was literally smoking. Later I went to a local shop and I was told the brake was overheated on the rear right side. My local shop replaced the rotor and pads, however, the overheat problem kept showing up on that right rear side. I did some research online and it seems to be a common problem with the parking brake dragging for 2016 CX5. So I stopped using the parking brake and the overheating problem was gone. However, the parking brake is still defective and causes overheat if used.

- Corning, NY, USA

problem #45

Oct 222020

CX-5

  • 72,300 miles
While driving approx. 40 mph on a state road, my TPMS warning light went on. At first I thought it was a simple tire pressure issue, but then I began to smell burning. I stopped my car and saw smoke coming from my rear right (passenger side) wheel. I promptly brought the car to a 3rd party mechanic and they informed me the caliper remained engaged and my rotors were overheating. They tried contacting Mazda dealerships and 3rd party sources for either new or rebuilt caliper but the part was out of stock and on backorder with no estimated date when it would be replenished. My car is still unrepaired and I cannot drive it as the excessive heating of the rotor could disable my braking ability. This seems to be a common issue with other Cx-5 models.

- West Chester, PA, USA

problem #44

Sep 152020

CX-5

  • 48,784 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX5. The contact stated that the parking brake inadvertently engaged while driving at various speeds without warning. While driving, the contact suspected that the parking brake was still engaged. The contact exited the vehicle and smelled a burning odor coming from the rear wheels. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who also noticed the same failure with the parking brake while driving the vehicle. The vehicle was then repaired by the independent mechanic for the parking brake failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,784.

- Yorba Linda, CA, USA

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