Problems · by component

2016 Mazda CX-5 service brakes problems

66 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-5 cite service brakes, 13% of all 512 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
66
13% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the electric parking brake module warning light was illuminated and the "Brake failure. Vehicle unsafe to drive," message was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The failure occurred on several different occasions. The contact expressed concern that the brakes could engage while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2026Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11753843
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2025Service brakesODI 11660537
“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."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2025Service brakesODI 11653599
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 27, 2024Service brakesODI 11611150
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2024Electrical system, Service brakesODI 11579848
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 28, 2023Service brakesODI 11547048

Showing 6 of 66 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.