There are 50 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-5in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle, and the message “Smart Brake Malfunction” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with catastrophic brake caliper failure. The contact was unsure if the vehicle needed to be repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the passenger’s side inner CV joint had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be driven due to the severe failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,385.
from my service mechanic... "Rear brakes at 8mm/8mm on the right side, but 4mm/6mm on the left. These brakes were replaced 1500 miles ago and should not be showing this kind of wear. Examined brake pads, found evidence of overheating. Scanned vehicle, confirmed no codes from Electronic Parking Brake. Actuated parking brake and confirmed it is engaging and releasing as commanded. Found a Technical Service Bulletin related to parking brake drag on this vehicle. The brake pad damage pattern is consistent with what we observed today. Mazda recommends replacing the affect caliper(s) with an updated version to address this issue. Confirmed by lot number that current calipers are older version. TSB attached. Recommend replacing calipers and rear brake materials."
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.
Back brakes arent gripping, caliper isn’t working been changed quite a few times. Either the abs or electric brakes
my brake light and my emergency brake light stays on and they blink constantly while the engine is turned on. they have been like that for at least a year. both my brakes and the emergency brake both work but I cant get the lights to go out.
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
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.
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?
* 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.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, squeaking noises were heard. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed that both the rear brake pads were worn down to 20% and needed replacement. The mechanic informed the contact there was TSB 04-004/19 and 04-005/20 related to the failure and referred the contact to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that both the rear brake pads needed to be replaced from normal wear and tear; however, the vehicle was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to schedule an appointment with a dealer for diagnosis. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PARKING BRAKE RANDOMLY COMES ON AND WON'T SHUT OFF. I STARTED MY CAR AND USUALLY THE PARKING BRAKE COMES ON BUT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT SHUTS OFF. TODAY IT WILL NOT TURN OFF THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL COMBINATIONS INVOLVING TO PUSH THE START BUTTON WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND RELEASE BRAKE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE BEFORE THE CAR FULLY TURN ON AND WHEN CAR IS PARTLY ON TO OFF. AFTER 41 MINUTES WAITING (AFTER SPENDING ALMOST 1 HOUR MESSING WITH IT) I TURNED ON THE CAR AND IT WORKS NOW. UNRELIABLE TRANSPORTATION!
PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION; DRAGGING OF REAR WHEELS ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING; SUDDEN SEIZING OF BRAKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT. *TR
DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO GET HOT. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES IN SEPTEMBER (AROUND 40,000 MILES), AND I TOOK MY CX-5 IN FOR SERVICE. THE TECHNICIANS DID NOT FIND ANYTHING OPERATING INCORRECTLY, LUBRICATED THE BRAKES, AND RETURNED MY VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT MY STATE SAFETY INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE PASSABLE, BUT PRETTY CRUMMY LOOKING BECAUSE OF HEAT DAMAGE. BECAUSE WE WERE LOCKED DOWN (DUE TO CORONAVIRUS) I WAITED A BIT AND JUST RECENTLY HAD THEM REPLACED. NOW THAT MY REAR BRAKES HAVE NEW PADS AND ROTORS, THE REAR BRAKE ISSUE IS HAPPENING AGAIN, SPECIFICALLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THIS TIME. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE IN THE REAR AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, AND THEY TOLD ME THE REAR BRAKES ARE OPERATING NORMALLY. HOWEVER, ON MY DRIVE HOME (18 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY), THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AGAIN, SO I KNEW THE ISSUE WAS NOT RESOLVED. I CHECKED THE TEMPERATURE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR BRAKE ROTOR, AND IT WAS OVER 400 DEGREES (THE OTHER ROTORS WERE AROUND 150, SEE PAGE 9 OF ATTACHED DOCUMENT). I CONTACTED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE THE DEALER CAN'T DETECT AN ISSUE, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. MAZDA HAS ISSUED TSBS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FOR MY VEHICLE, BUT I BELIEVE THEIR DIAGNOSTIC STEPS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO DETECT ALL CASES OF THE ISSUE. THEIR DIAGNOSTIC STEPS ARE ALL RELATED TO LOW-SPEED DRIVING, BUT MY ISSUE ONLY PRESENTS ITSELF AFTER DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026