MAZDA Complaints

While the vehicle was being driven under normal operating conditions, the driver's front seatbelt lower lap anchor completely broke loose and separated from the lower vehicle frame sill. The structural metal anchor plate at the end of the belt is now swinging completely free, and the plastic door-sill trim molding at the base of the door opening is completely broken from the force of the separation, exposing the underlying wiring. Because the primary safety restraint system completely failed and detached from the vehicle body, the vehicle was immediately deemed unsafe to drive and was towed directly to Westshore Mazda in Tampa, Florida for inspection

The infotainment touchscreen display in my 2017 Mazda 6 is experiencing a "ghost touch" defect, where the screen registers inputs without being touched. The defective touchscreen is available for inspection upon request. While driving, the system randomly changes settings, switches menus, activates functions, and changes audio or navigation screens without driver input. This creates a safety hazard because it distracts the driver and requires attention to be diverted from the road to address the unexpected screen activity. The issue occurs repeatedly and can happen at any time while the vehicle is in motion. The condition has been reported numerous times to an authorized Mazda dealership, Puyallup Mazda 608 River Road, Puyallup, WA 98371, 253-845-1766. The dealership acknowledged the complaint but stated the ghost touch condition is not covered under Mazda's extended warranty program for infotainment system defects and declined to replace the screen. My vehicle is included in the Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action Settlement and extended warranty program, which addresses infotainment system malfunctions. Despite exhibiting the widely reported 'ghost touch' defect, the dealership refused to repair the condition under the extended warranty, leaving a known driver-distraction hazard uncorrected. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership, but no repair has been performed. The defective infotainment screen remains installed and available for inspection. Prior to the defect becoming severe, the touchscreen occasionally registered unintended inputs. The condition progressively worsened and now frequently activates functions without any user interaction. No warning lights, diagnostic messages, or other vehicle alerts appeared before or during the malfunction. This unresolved defect poses an ongoing driver-distraction risk and could increase the likelihood of a crash.

The vehicle developed an engine oil leak from the timing cover due to what appears to be premature seal failure. Engine oil was leaking externally and could drip onto hot engine components, creating a potential fire hazard while the vehicle is in operation. The leak also increases the risk of low engine oil levels, which could lead to engine damage or sudden engine failure if not detected in time. This issue required an expensive repair despite the vehicle being properly maintained. I have since learned that many other Mazda owners have reported similar timing cover oil leaks on this engine, suggesting this may be a widespread defect rather than normal wear and tear. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can evaluate whether this represents a safety-related defect that warrants further investigation.

The climate control system suffered a sudden, complete failure due to an engineering defect documented in Mazda Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) ID: MC-10203760-0001. The factory evaporator core leaked refrigerant rapidly starving the A/C compressor of essential lubricating oil. This caused the compressor to overheat and complete seize. This failure occurred during extreme summer heat exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, creating an immediate health hazard inside the cabin during my daily 40-mile highway work commute. Additionally, the complete loss of climate control functionality compromises the vehicle's defogging and defrosting capabilities, creating a severe visibility hazard during sudden weather changes on the highway. Mazda customer service corporate teams refused to cover or reimburse the repair because I had to utilize an independent repair facility (Firestone) within walking distance of my home to safely remedy the immediate environmental hazard. The manufacturer is actively denying financial accountability for a well-documented manufacturing flaw that leads to premature secondary component failure. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. First appeared 7/23/26.

This is a new rebuild of this vehicle with the electronics now being within the screen. Initially had SOS and telematics issues which most of these cars are having. These seem to be fixed after two updates by Mazda. Have continuously been having issues with connectivity with their app and the ability to access my car through the app. Including locking/unlocking the doors, starting the car, having access to info about my car like: mileage and tire pressure etc. Mazda continues to see these cars without proper fixes. I have been thru three updates. And there has been no fix to these issues. I am unable to access alerts or updates regarding the car as well.

While driving my 2025 Mazda CX-50, the entire center-dash climate control panel (HVAC module) suffered a sudden, spontaneous, and total electrical power blackout. The unit completely loses power and goes dark exactly as if the power button was pressed. This is a recurring failure that occurs after only a few minutes of vehicle operation. This electrical failure immediately cuts all airflow and A/C cooling to the cabin. The unit can temporarily be turned back on manually, only to black out and fail completely again minutes later. This represents my second consecutive modern Mazda vehicle to experience an early-mileage HVAC hardware/electrical failure (previously a CX-30), indicating a dangerous, recurring manufacturing defect in Mazda’s electrical/climate control architecture that requires a formal safety recall. Additional Considerations: Distraction and Loss of Driver Focus, Rapid Window Fogging and Blindness, Extreme Heat Exhaustion and In-Cabin Medical Emergency, and Broader Electrical Fault Concerns.

I parked this hybrid rental vehicle on a steep street facing uphill and remained in the car with it on for about 15 to 30 minutes. When I put the vehicle back in Drive, released the brake pedal, and pressed the gas pedal to drive away, the car quickly free-rolled backwards. There was no throttle response, and I had to quickly brake to stop the car from its quick backwards descent. Multiple attempts to correct the issue, including various combinations of placing the car back in Park and back in Drive, engaging the electronic parking brake, etc., had no effect. There was no throttle response at all when in Drive, and no ability to control the free-roll of the car after pressing the gas pedal when in Drive without braking. I even tried placing the car in Reverse, and this allowed me to go backwards at a controlled speed instead of free-rolling, but Drive only initiated an uncontrollable backward free-roll. Note that the hybrid vehicle was on, but the engine did not sound like it was running, and I believe it was in electric mode while experiencing this issue. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of problems prior to or during the issue. Over the course of these various attempts I rolled backwards several car lengths. Had there been a vehicle or person behind me, there would have been an accident. I eventually placed the car in Park and turned it off and left it there. When I returned about 2 hours later the vehicle behaved as normal, and the issue was never experienced again while I had the rental car. Since this was a Budget rental car, they would need to be contacted about any availability for inspection. I did not report the issue to Budget or to Mazda. This issue concerned me enough to report it directly to NHTSA.

I purchased this Mazda new in October 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has unexpectedly applied the brakes on three separate occasions while I was driving under normal conditions. There was no reason for the vehicle to brake, and each incident created a dangerous situation because the vehicle slowed suddenly without my input. I brought the vehicle to my local Mazda dealership for inspection. The dealership was unable to identify a defect or repair the issue. I was told that the automatic emergency braking system may sometimes react to reflections and that this behavior is considered normal. However, I do not believe it is normal or safe for a vehicle to apply the brakes unexpectedly during normal driving. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle, especially with my husband and young child as passengers. I am concerned that if the vehicle brakes unexpectedly again, it could cause a rear-end collision or another serious accident. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this may be a safety-related defect involving the automatic emergency braking/forward collision avoidance system. I am requesting that this issue be documented and investigated.

When curving left my steering wheel will get “stuck”. It becomes heavy and then jerks back like it just “unlocked”. I haven’t had to pull it back forcefully, yet, but I’m sure it’s not far off. Went to Mazda dealership who state it’s mechanically related to a rack and pinion within the steering components. My car was part of the initial “sticky steering” recall which the previous owner had done in March of 2024. Happy to allow inspection if needed. My safety, along with the safety of others, is at risk anytime I travel along a curve where I could cross into on coming traffic because I am unable to forcefully move my steering wheel out of the “sticking” position. Potentially deadly. Mainly notice it around speeds of 45+ regardless of weather.

At just under 40,000 miles, the radiator started leaking along the seams. It was noticed by the dealer repair shop when the dealer was performing warranty repairs on the front differential. There were no other indications before discovery.