Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Mazda CX-5 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was waiting at a traffic signal to make a left turn, with my foot on the brake. The car accelerated aggressively, with no warning, like the pedal was pushed to the floor. I stood on the brake and shoved the shifter into park - coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection, Fortunately my wheels were pointed straight and the car did not race into oncoming traffic. My [redacted] father was in the car with me. Thankfully, my grandchildren were NOT in the car. You could smell the gas and brakes. It was NOT driver foot placement, nor was it floor mats. Vehicle has ~ 75K miles, and I am terrified of this happening again. I had driven this car regularly in rush hour stop & go traffic for years with no event like this ever before. Apparently sudden unintended vehicle acceleration is a recognized problem.
The brake pedal is several inches higher than the gas petal in this vehicle. It slows down reaction time when reacting to an emergency situation. I was backing into a parking space. A vehicle went around me. I noticed the vehicle, but when I tried to quickly move my foot to the brake my foot got hung up on the brake pedal. There was an accident with no injuries. The accident could have been avoided if I was able to hit the brakes. After the accident I sat in the parking lot to analyze and correct my muscle memory and practice moving my foot quickly from gas to pedal. I realized it took much effort, concentration and quite a stretch to get get my foot to the pedal quickly. The pedals should be even, or very close to even. I don't know why someone would think this is better, but if it's a preference there should be an adjustment. Even should be the factory default. …
I have owned this vehicle for three years and the power brakes have failed three separate times. Each time this happens the pedal is extremely hard to push and will not go down. Each time I was driving in city type traffic. I have taken the car to jim ellis Mazda in marietta ga. They were unable to duplicate the problem and recommended a brake fluid flush having said the fluid was dirty. Also said I needed rear brake pads due to wear but they were fine.I did replace them with new as a precaution as I am a retired automotive technician. I will attach a photo of the pads.the car has 49000 miles on it and was purchased certified pre owned in October 2016. My wife is afraid to drive this car now since we don't know when this May occur again. Each time the brakes failed it was hot weather and the occurrence was sept 2nd 2019.
I was parking my Mazda cx5 in a spot at a shopping center and when I touched the brake with my right foot and went to push the button to turn off the car, it suddenly accelerated full speed, jumping the curb and smashing into a storefront. I noticed when I started the car (about a mile before the accident), it was making a vroom sound like it wasn't totally getting into gear. I don't know if it's a transmission, brake or accelerator issue - but there is definitely something wrong. I did not hit the accelerator instead of the brake. When I called Mazda they said they had no reports of this being a problem. Please advise. Thank you.
Went in for a service around 55,000 miles and was told that new rear brakes were needed. Got a second opinion and was told that they could go a little longer. Started hearing squeaking, took them back to the mechanic who said they needed replacing. Replaced at 59,000 miles. Went in today 7/26/18 and was told my rear brakes were at 4% and would need replacing by my next visit. This would mean 2 rear brake replacements within 10,000 miles. My front brakes are still fine. I see many complaints about this for the CX 5, there a several tsbs out. Called Mazda who said they weren't aware of this problem and that brakes are considered a normal part of wear and tear. My second issues is that when I put my car in park and attempt to shut if off but it will not power off. This doesn't happen every time, but probably every 4th or 5th time. …
The rear brake pads on my Mazda CX 5 grand touring model is worn out to (0.2 per dealer) at approx 34000 miles. Noticed the problem when the car started making a grinding noise from the rear. Before this there was a very strong vibration of steering when braking at speeds of 55 plus MPH. This is very unusual in my experience that a car which is about 2 years old needs new brake pads and rotors replaced. Mazda website had some information http://www.carcomplaints.com/Mazda/CX-5/2013/brakes/service_brakes.shtml. Brake rotors were replaced by Mazda at 34000 miles, not my car is at 56000 miles and initial symptom with the strong vibration of the steering wheel when braking is reappearing. This seems to indicate an inherent problem with this model per independent mechanics.
The rear brake pads on my Mazda CX 5 grand touring model is worn out to (0.2 per dealer) at approx 34200 miles. Noticed this problem a few weeks back when the car started making a grinding noise from the rear. This is very unusual in my experience that a car which is about 2 years and 6 months old needs new brake pads and rotors replaced. On my other cars which are Nissan the brake pads lasted for about 5 years (approx. 60,000 miles). I want to raise this as a complaint. My car is still under warranty. I want Mazda to look into this and advise on a fix. I see so many websites where CX owners are facing the same issue, quoting one here for an example http://www.carcomplaints.com/Mazda/CX-5/2013/brakes/service_brakes.shtml.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the brakes made a squealing noise and failed numerous times. The vehicle was taken to ferra auto group Mazda (3363 south arlington road, akron, oh 44312, [phone]) where it was determined that the brake pads were wearing unevenly. The dealer further stated that the brakes remained engaged and caused the brake pads to wear prematurely. The inner brake pad was at a two level and the outer brake pad remained at level six. The contact was informed that the premature brake pad wear May be caused by the calipers and hydraulic flex line. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 27,000.
At times the breaks become unresponsive to pressure and the pedal goes all the way to the floor. The breaks have to be pumped it order to get them to catch. So, I took the car to a repair shop and they changed the break pads and bleed the lines. However, after a test drive the issue happened to the mechanic again. After checking the break system again, they found that the vacuum pump is malfunctioning. There was a recall for other Mazda CX-5s in my model year. But my VIN number does not fall in the recall. My auto repair person stated that this is something that shouldn't happen, and is extremely dangerous.
Was driving with family on highway when car started to feel wobbly and I began smelling the distinct smell of burning brakes. I pulled over at the closes store (.5 miles) . I then noticed the rear, passenger caliper was smoking. I later found out (after a few hundred dollars and hours of labor) this is a known issue with the rear calipers siezing... Apparently this isn't considered "safety"?!?!. If I wasn't mechanically inclined I May have kept driving. My sort ride was enough to heat up and loosen 2 of my lug nuts. If that isn't a safety hazard then I don't know what is.
Brake complaints in other CX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2014 Mazda CX-5, 6% of the model year's 377 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › caliper (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Mazda CX-5 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2014 Mazda CX-5, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Mazda CX-5 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.