Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,245,377 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA, including 140,173 crashes, 56,794 fires, and 8,580 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim, NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,245,377 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports, when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report, that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints, specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened, feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 29,895 complaints for MAZDA
Incident date: Jan 9, 2023
I have had engine problems for over a year now. My car has had constant issues with rough idling and also jerking while driving. The jerking has been fixed for now but the rough idling has became worse to the point where the car feels as if it will stall out. My car has been at the dealership for repair since 12.22.22 and is still there today 1.11.23 - I was told by another repair shop (while ge... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
There is excessive rust on this MAZDA. We drive in NYC, and i believe due to the close proximity to the ocean this Mazda was not properly prepared.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
The steering wheel and lack of lane change and transmission stocks makes the vehicle hard to control at low speeds. Swiping the screen forward for Drive and backward for Reverse does not create any tactile confirmation. Low speed parking lot maneuvers have already resulted in a few close calls. Along the same lines, the steering wheel makes low speed control difficult. Finally, the missing lane c... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2018
For the Ls460, there was a recall due to interior component deterioration during Covid. I believe that during COVID lockdowns, dealerships were understaffed, as I was unable to schedule an appointment. When I contacted after the COVID lockdowns were over, I was informed that I was unable to complete the recall. The interior of the car is now deteriorating far worse. How can I get an extension of t... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that after pulling over to the shoulder the vehicle would not immediately restart. The contact stated that approximately five minutes later, the vehicle restarted without pressing the start button. The contact stated that the message "Network Ma... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that after pulling over to the shoulder the vehicle would not immediately restart. The contact stated that approximately five minutes later, the vehicle restarted without pressing the start button. The contact stated that the message "Network Ma... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that after pulling over to the shoulder the vehicle would not immediately restart. The contact stated that approximately five minutes later, the vehicle restarted without pressing the start button. The contact stated that the message "Network Ma... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2009 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated while parking, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The service warning light illuminated. The contact then heard a beeping sound. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Incident date: Oct 19, 2022
On October 29, 2022, the CMBS emergency braking system slammed the brakes on for no obvious reason. This happened at least four or five times while traveling eastbound on I-40 in AZ. There were no cars in front of or changing into my lane. After it happened a few times, I called the dealer RSM Honda in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, where i service the car to see if i could turn it off. They sugge... Read more
Incident date: Oct 19, 2022
gasoline engine. yes, it is available. This vehicle has broken down and left me stranded at the side of the road more than a few times. It has failed on the Interstates , as well as local highways. The dealer refuses to replace the faulty engine. No warning lights have come on with regard to the gasoline engine. Ever since I purchased the vehicle, it sounds like there are marbles in the gas engin... Read more
Incident date: Jan 8, 2023
The sunroof exploded while driving. If the inner shield hadnt been up the glass would have fallen on 2 people and a dog. The explosion was so loud my left ear is hurting. Nothing dropped on the sunroof. It exploded upwards. We thought our car had been shot.
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 6, 2023
The latches inside the driver's seatbelt receptacle feel like they wear out over time. The only reason I can tell is because there is a really noticeable creaking that develops from inside the receptacle while the seatbelt is connected. This is worse for drivers with bigger waists and as the driver's waist continues to tug on the seatbelt during operation, the creaking gets worse over time. There... Read more
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
I was rear ended while at complete stop by someone going over 40mph on 12/19/22. My airbags did not deploy and my seat belts did not lock out. Directly after being hit my phone flashed a safety fracture malfunction on the dash board and then sent the notification to the mazda app on my phone.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 19, 2022
I was rear ended while at complete stop by someone going over 40mph on 12/19/22. My airbags did not deploy and my seat belts did not lock out. Directly after being hit my phone flashed a safety fracture malfunction on the dash board and then sent the notification to the mazda app on my phone.
Crash
2 injured
Incident date: Dec 27, 2022
Using a quart of oil every 1,500 miles. Known oil consumption issue with the 2021 Mazda CX 30 turbo 2.5 engine
Incident date: Dec 30, 2022
My 2019 Mazda CX-5 automatically applied the brakes while the car was on cruise control traveling at 65 mph on a highway, and there wasn't a car or any object in front of me or to either side of my car. The car applied the brakes firmly and brought the speed down quickly and dangerously. I quickly depressed the accelerator to get the car back to highway speed to avoid a rear-end collision. This... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
My car has approx 115,000 miles. I took it to Bass Mazda to have spark plugs and serpentine belt changed simply for maintenance purposes. After leaving dealership my car was pulling to the right. My steering wheel was no longer centered. It also was turned toward the right. Any time I had to hit the brakes the car pulled very hard to right. Long story short it we ended up finding out that my sub ... Read more
Incident date: Jan 4, 2023
My car has approx 115,000 miles. I took it to Bass Mazda to have spark plugs and serpentine belt changed simply for maintenance purposes. After leaving dealership my car was pulling to the right. My steering wheel was no longer centered. It also was turned toward the right. Any time I had to hit the brakes the car pulled very hard to right. Long story short it we ended up finding out that my sub ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
The informational screen will just start going "haywire"--someone described it as a "ghost touch!" It will change screens without warning, going through my saved contacts and calling or deleting them. Changing channels etc..---it is more than a nuisance, it can be a hazard!
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
The front sub frame was recalled due to SEVERE rot and corrosion. It was replaced at the dealers cost. The issue is the rear subframe has the exact same, if not worse rot and corrosion. I called the dealer and no recall is issued. Thousands of people are having the same issue
Incident date: Aug 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's husband added fuel to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle resta... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's husband added fuel to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle resta... Read more
Incident date: Dec 1, 2022
Concern is still present. The vehicle vibrates the entire chassis at highway speeds. Mazda states it’s normal but it may vibrate other components loose which could cause an accident. The issue is in the drivetrain
Incident date: Nov 27, 2022
I was driving my 2017 Mazda CX-3 on the interstate when car suddenly jerked and failed to accelerate. I was driving 70 mph in the left lane when this happened and immediately started to pull over to the righthand shoulder of the road. The car jerked and slowed again when we were in the right lane. By the time I pulled off, the check engine light was on and the car had completely stalled. I was stu... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2022
I own a 2009 mazda 6 witch is my only vehicle I had tooken it to a mechanic shop due to noise comming from the front and rear of the car under farther investigation I was notified by the mechanic that the entire front and rear subframes were badly rotted and rusty i than took the car to a mazda dealer for further inspection we’re I was notified that they would replace the front sub frame under r... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2022
I own a 2009 mazda 6 witch is my only vehicle I had tooken it to a mechanic shop due to noise comming from the front and rear of the car under farther investigation I was notified by the mechanic that the entire front and rear subframes were badly rotted and rusty i than took the car to a mazda dealer for further inspection we’re I was notified that they would replace the front sub frame under r... Read more
Incident date: Aug 3, 2022
I own a 2009 mazda 6 witch is my only vehicle I had tooken it to a mechanic shop due to noise comming from the front and rear of the car under farther investigation I was notified by the mechanic that the entire front and rear subframes were badly rotted and rusty i than took the car to a mazda dealer for further inspection we’re I was notified that they would replace the front sub frame under r... Read more
Incident date: Jan 3, 2023
oil consumption on a 2021 Turbo CX-5. problem has been reproduced and confirmed by dealer. warning lights twice. first time told it was normal. happened twice. only on my third maintenance oil change was it acknowledged. had to do a lot of research on my own. caused enormous stress to existing mental health issues. would not have even been addressed had i not stated the issue.
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
Car emits a very audible squeak when shifting right above 30mph and 40mph, car surges at lower and constant speeds, tach will slowly drop when applying throttle, surge slightly, then function as normal again
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
Car emits a very audible squeak when shifting right above 30mph and 40mph, car surges at lower and constant speeds, tach will slowly drop when applying throttle, surge slightly, then function as normal again
Incident date: Jan 2, 2023
Car emits a very audible squeak when shifting right above 30mph and 40mph, car surges at lower and constant speeds, tach will slowly drop when applying throttle, surge slightly, then function as normal again
Incident date: Dec 31, 2022
Cracked cylinder head, significant oil leaking, no engine lights. No past collisions in vehicles or indicator engine was running hot. Dealership reported they see no history of fault codes on vehicle computer.
Incident date: Dec 13, 2022
My engine head cracked whiling driving. sudden lost of complete power in houston texas at a 75mph speed. Was able to safely pull to the side. took it to the dealer where they confirmed it was a cracked engine head. Its a common issue with this model from 2016-2019 no warning light came on just lost 90% power. was able to restart and drive the 7 mins to the dealer.
Incident date: Sep 6, 2022
Car overheated. check front engine and could not see any visible leaks. check all around the engine and found coolant leaking from the back of the engine. confirm by dealer that is leaking at the cylinder head.
Incident date: Dec 23, 2022
On 12/23 I was driving on the highway approaching exit 43 A-B on I-95 N and the engine oil light came on, I started monitoring the temperature of the car and it was holding steady, neither was it dropping nor was it overheating. I continued driving for a minute more, I am half mile away from home at this point and I smelled burning oil. I pulled the car over and opened up the hood, I turned on the... Read more
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
Automatic Emergency Brake comes on at random. Driving at medium speed, no cars in view, car brakes and dashboard displays EMERGENCY BRAKE. Has not yet been inspected by a dealer because car is out of warranty. 2018 Mazda CX5 with only 19,000 total miles driven.
Incident date: Oct 1, 2022
Automatic Emergency Brake comes on at random. Driving at medium speed, no cars in view, car brakes and dashboard displays EMERGENCY BRAKE. Has not yet been inspected by a dealer because car is out of warranty. 2018 Mazda CX5 with only 19,000 total miles driven.
Incident date: Nov 2, 2022
In early November 2022, a stress crack appeared on the left side of the front windshield. The crack was about 20 inches long, about halfway down the windshield, and impaired my view of the road. I took it to the dealership (Jeff Haas Mazda at 16711 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas) for inspection and they confirmed it was a stress crack from the pillar, not caused by an object hitting the windshield. ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while conducting a routine check, he noticed that the coolant and the oil levels were low. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the coolant was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
The contact owns a 2010 Mazda CX-9. The contact stated while conducting a routine check, he noticed that the coolant and the oil levels were low. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the coolant was leaking into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 16, 2022
Coolant leak from a cracked cylinder head that mazda is aware of and released a TSB about. Refusing to extend warranty or fix due to being 6 months out of 60 month power train warranty. Still under 60,000 miles.
Incident date: Oct 31, 2022
After owning this used vehicle for about 11 months, the engine temperature gauge indicated the car was running hot - about 240 degrees. After inspecting the vehicle at home, we added coolant to the system. This helped maintain engine temperature temporarily, but we noted over the next several weeks that the coolant was dropping rapidly. After inspection by a Mazda dealer, it was concluded that the... Read more
Incident date: Dec 26, 2022
Driver door cannot be opened from inside with either engine ON or OFF. After I came home from work , I parked the car inside the garage and I could not get out of the car.It took me approximately 2-4 minutes.After that the car just opened. This is the second time in 4 months.
Incident date: Dec 25, 2022
Engine is either burning or leaking oil. The low oil light flashed after a 2hr highway trip (traveling to my parent's house for Christmas with my wife), low oil was confirmed the following day via dipstick. Oil was changed at the dealership about 4 months ago, mileage is under 24k miles. Looks to be related to this service bulletin, which still does not appear to have a fix or recall associated ... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
At an intersection the engine stalled and car was extremely hard to restart (took several minutes). I later noticed oil and coolant dripping from the engine and coolant mist/vapor from the exhaust. Later I learned it was possibly related to Mazda's own TSB Bulletin No: 01-013/21 where a manufacturing defect caused coolant to enter the combustion chamber and hydro lock the engine (where I stalled a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 9, 2021
At an intersection the engine stalled and car was extremely hard to restart (took several minutes). I later noticed oil and coolant dripping from the engine and coolant mist/vapor from the exhaust. Later I learned it was possibly related to Mazda's own TSB Bulletin No: 01-013/21 where a manufacturing defect caused coolant to enter the combustion chamber and hydro lock the engine (where I stalled a... Read more
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
Faulty Fuel pump by factory
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
Power steering failed all of a sudden without warning. Lost almost all control of steering. PSCM
Incident date: Dec 24, 2022
Power steering failed all of a sudden without warning. Lost almost all control of steering. PSCM