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: Apr 3, 2022
Low engine oil warning between oil changes. Burned 3+ quarts between 5000 mile and 10,000 mile service.
Incident date: May 16, 2022
I was sitting in the car rider line and my engine started making this loud noise. I looked down at the temperature gage and it started over heating. I went to go pull it over and I noticed that the check engine light came on that's when I was turning in the parking place the engine stalled and i turned the car off. I took it to a local shop and he told me that I need a new engine, because apparen... Read more
Incident date: May 28, 2022
My wife was pulling into a parking place today with her foot on the brake when the car suddenly accelerated, causing it to jump a curb and come to a stop over two large shrubs, which saved her from entering a busy highway and colliding with another car. This caused damage to the front end of the car and wheel wells. She told me she absolutely did not have her foot on the accelerator at the time. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 28, 2022
My wife was pulling into a parking place today with her foot on the brake when the car suddenly accelerated, causing it to jump a curb and come to a stop over two large shrubs, which saved her from entering a busy highway and colliding with another car. This caused damage to the front end of the car and wheel wells. She told me she absolutely did not have her foot on the accelerator at the time. ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated while driving approximately 10-15 MPH, the vehicle started hesitating. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated while turning off the vehicle, she noticed the radio and the instrument cluster remained operational. The contact stated she was also unable to lock the doors. The contact stated she restarted the vehicle and manipulated the gear shifter several times to turn off the vehicle completely. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware o... Read more
Incident date: Apr 24, 2022
At mileage of 24,993 and on April 24, 2022 my oil light came on, creating a very unsafe situation for myself and my young son, nearly stranding us on a very isolated road after dark. My vehicle has regular maintenance at the dealer and was not due for an oil change until 25,378 miles or June 13, 2022. About 30 miles prior to the engine oil light coming on, my car indicated that an Oil Change was d... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2021
My car does not turn off when you push the ignition button. I spoke to Mazda's parts manager about this, and his wife had the same issue and the same model and year as my car. He told me that it is the Parking Lever switch. I feel that not being able to turn your car off is a safety issue. I filed a safety issue with my 2013 Mazda CX-5 on May 26, 2022.
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
I have the 2.5 liter turbocharged engine in my CX-30. It currently has approximately 18,000 miles after a little over a year of ownership. So far I have had to put in 3 quarts of oil in that time. The engine/low oil indicator comes on about every 4,000 miles. When I check the oil, it shows that it is down a quart. I have taken it in for regular service (oil and filter, tire rotation) twice now, a... Read more
Incident date: Oct 31, 2021
By late October 2021, my right light started to flick, then my lower (normal night light) light stopped working.
Incident date: May 20, 2022
At 10:16 am, I was driving home on Hall Rd. in Michigan. Hall Road is currently under construction and only two lanes are open and the speed is 40mph. It was raining pretty hard and also very windy. I was traveling West in the left lane and i noticed people in front of me began slowing down to about 10mph and going around an object I couldnt see. By the time it was my turn to pass said object, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 20, 2022
At 10:16 am, I was driving home on Hall Rd. in Michigan. Hall Road is currently under construction and only two lanes are open and the speed is 40mph. It was raining pretty hard and also very windy. I was traveling West in the left lane and i noticed people in front of me began slowing down to about 10mph and going around an object I couldnt see. By the time it was my turn to pass said object, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 20, 2022
At 10:16 am, I was driving home on Hall Rd. in Michigan. Hall Road is currently under construction and only two lanes are open and the speed is 40mph. It was raining pretty hard and also very windy. I was traveling West in the left lane and i noticed people in front of me began slowing down to about 10mph and going around an object I couldnt see. By the time it was my turn to pass said object, ... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 23, 2022
The Infotainment system engages in "ghost touch," where the screen scrolls through and clicks random buttons on its own. This occurs both while I am driving and while I am parked. It will change radio stations, exit out of the navigation, and click other random buttons so that I then have to turn off the display in order to get it to stop. For example, yesterday, it kept clicking the repeat button... Read more
Incident date: Jan 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced rough idling with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed t... Read more
Incident date: May 7, 2022
When this vehicle is low on fuel (but not empty) and under heavy acceleration, the fuel pump temporarily fails causing the engine to stall. This creates a serious safety hazard. Other 2019 Mazda models were covered for a similar defect under NHTSA Campaign Number 21V-875, however this specific VIN is questionably not included under that recall.
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Mazda MPV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V404000 (Air Bags) however, the nearest dealer location was nearly 5 hours away. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and attempted to send a mechanic from the dealer to the residence for the recall repair however, the dealer declined. The contact was then referred to a Subaru deal... Read more
Incident date: May 13, 2022
15 minutes after getting a wheel bearing replaced at the dealer, my engine coolant high temperature warning came on (never before seen). This occurred while I was on the interstate with no safe place to stop. When I was able to safely stop, I called the dealer. They said bring it back. I was unwilling to drive that far so chose the closest Mazda dealer. They informed me I have a cracked cylinder a... Read more
Incident date: May 12, 2022
Air bag warning light went on. Found Code B1126:13 Driver Side Airbag deployment. Replaced driver side air bag under warranty.
Incident date: Mar 19, 2022
The entire rear subframe is completely corroded and rusted and caused the back right cross member to break. The entire rear subframe needs to be replaced including the control arms. This is unacceptable. Mazda had a recall for the front subframe, but not the rear which makes no sense as they were made with same materials. 2 separate mechanics have had the car in their possession and have both been... Read more
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
I was traveling approximately 5 mph with approximately 15 feet from the car in front of me, maintaining a constant following distance. The collision warning sounded, followed by emergency braking within 1 second. No collision was imminent.
Incident date: Mar 31, 2022
I was traveling approximately 5 mph with approximately 15 feet from the car in front of me, maintaining a constant following distance. The collision warning sounded, followed by emergency braking within 1 second. No collision was imminent.
Incident date: May 12, 2022
I was traveling 25mph with no obstruction in front of me, when the collision warning sounded. The braking system did not activate. No collision was imminent.
Incident date: May 1, 2022
Cylinder head cracked, leaking coolant and causing engine overheated , potential fire hazard . Coolant also leaked and mixed in with oil cycling through engine , causing permanent damage to the engine , resulting engine to be fully replaced
Incident date: May 16, 2022
Low engine oil after 4630 miles!
Incident date: Mar 1, 2022
There was a recall for the front K-frame (Sub-frame) due to excessive corrosion. However the rear also has the same issue and loses structural integrity because of it. The rear control arms can snap through the frame where they are mounted, resulting in an increased likelihood of losing control.
Incident date: May 1, 2022
I was in an accident on May 1st 2022. I was traveling south when another car hit me. The airbags didn't deploy at all none of them did you can see from the pics and video I have attached and hear the audio from my dash cam saying the airbag deployment was detected but no airbags came out. (Dash cam video won't upload but I can email or text it if needed) the car is currently at the Ken garff Honda... Read more
Crash
Incident date: Apr 16, 2022
The water pump failed and leaked coolant into the engine, causing motor damage which requires motor replacement. There was no evidence of any failure until the vehicle overheated while being driven. This is a known design flaw of the engine design but no recall has been issued.
Incident date: Apr 10, 2022
I was driving between 40-50 MPH at a consistent speed and I began to have to put the brake pedal to the floor in order to slow down the car. Even when doing this the car does not slow down at the rate expected and stopping distance has increased by more than 50 percent. Have been told there is Cracked/leaking bore diameter to the master brake cylinder housing is causing pressure and fluid loss, in... Read more
Incident date: Apr 10, 2022
I was driving between 40-50 MPH at a consistent speed and I began to have to put the brake pedal to the floor in order to slow down the car. Even when doing this the car does not slow down at the rate expected and stopping distance has increased by more than 50 percent. Have been told there is Cracked/leaking bore diameter to the master brake cylinder housing is causing pressure and fluid loss, in... Read more
Incident date: May 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2017 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact related the failure to a faulty fuel pump; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,099.
Incident date: Jan 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-5. The contact stated that the center display was malfunctioning. The contact stated that the rearview camera turned off inadvertently or failed to operate as intended while reversing the vehicle. The contact also stated that the screen display brightness would decrease independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the exterior lights would malfunction due t... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2022
Drivers seat will not recline backwards
Incident date: May 3, 2022
Tuesday, 5/3, I was parking my car in the New Leaf Grocery parking lot in Aptos, CA. I pulled into the lot and made slow right into an available space. I had my foot on the accelerator, tapped down on it gently to ease into the space. My car lurched forward at such high speed that I was unable to remove my foot from the accelerator. I swerved to the right as the car went over a partition and hit... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 3, 2022
Tuesday, 5/3, I was parking my car in the New Leaf Grocery parking lot in Aptos, CA. I pulled into the lot and made slow right into an available space. I had my foot on the accelerator, tapped down on it gently to ease into the space. My car lurched forward at such high speed that I was unable to remove my foot from the accelerator. I swerved to the right as the car went over a partition and hit... Read more
Crash
Incident date: May 3, 2022
Sunroof exploded spontaneously, we have a dashcam and nothing from the road hit it.
Incident date: Jan 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer had been notified of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amou... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
On 4/30/2022 the rear door lift gate opened unexpectedly and hit the ceiling of a parking garage (The Summit at Las Calinas, Irving Texas) , the glass window shattered, glass fell in and outside the car. An unfamiliar beeping was heard before the accident, but the source could not be located prior to the impact with the ceiling. A lift gate ajar warning indicator light likely flashed on the dash b... Read more
Incident date: Apr 30, 2022
On 4/30/2022 the rear door lift gate opened unexpectedly and hit the ceiling of a parking garage (The Summit at Las Calinas, Irving Texas) , the glass window shattered, glass fell in and outside the car. An unfamiliar beeping was heard before the accident, but the source could not be located prior to the impact with the ceiling. A lift gate ajar warning indicator light likely flashed on the dash b... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2015
The dashboard in my 2010 Mazda 3 has melted significantly throughout the years. It has become hazardous and tough to operate this vehicle. The dashboard is glossy, sticky, and believe a slight odor. I tried to slow its deterioration by using a sunshade when parked. It not only did not help, the dashboard just ruined each shade with a sticky, tar-like, black residue. No dealership has offered to he... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2015
The dashboard in my 2010 Mazda 3 has melted significantly throughout the years. It has become hazardous and tough to operate this vehicle. The dashboard is glossy, sticky, and believe a slight odor. I tried to slow its deterioration by using a sunshade when parked. It not only did not help, the dashboard just ruined each shade with a sticky, tar-like, black residue. No dealership has offered to he... Read more
Incident date: May 1, 2015
The dashboard in my 2010 Mazda 3 has melted significantly throughout the years. It has become hazardous and tough to operate this vehicle. The dashboard is glossy, sticky, and believe a slight odor. I tried to slow its deterioration by using a sunshade when parked. It not only did not help, the dashboard just ruined each shade with a sticky, tar-like, black residue. No dealership has offered to he... Read more
Incident date: Apr 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 Mazda Tribute. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 218,100.
Incident date: Feb 1, 2022
Connectivity Master Unit controlling the infotainment system has failed. Infotainment system continuously rebooting, freezing, change radio presets on its own and changing to home screen, and navigation starts speaking while listing to music.
Incident date: Jan 30, 2021
Blind spot monitoring system warning appears on dashboard of vehicle after driving for about 50-60 miles. This occurs only when I drive >50-60 miles in one trip without shutting off my vehicle. Speed does not matter. My sensors will not work until I turn off my car and turn it back on. This started as soon as I purchased my vehicle in July 2020. 1 previous owner (lease) before I purchased the vehi... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 30, 2021
Blind spot monitoring system warning appears on dashboard of vehicle after driving for about 50-60 miles. This occurs only when I drive >50-60 miles in one trip without shutting off my vehicle. Speed does not matter. My sensors will not work until I turn off my car and turn it back on. This started as soon as I purchased my vehicle in July 2020. 1 previous owner (lease) before I purchased the vehi... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Jan 30, 2021
Blind spot monitoring system warning appears on dashboard of vehicle after driving for about 50-60 miles. This occurs only when I drive >50-60 miles in one trip without shutting off my vehicle. Speed does not matter. My sensors will not work until I turn off my car and turn it back on. This started as soon as I purchased my vehicle in July 2020. 1 previous owner (lease) before I purchased the vehi... Read more
Crash
1 injured
Incident date: Mar 16, 2022
2015 Mazda CX-9 with 93k miles: while driving in traffic, check engine light suddenly came on, the car began to shudder as I heard a loud knocking noises coming from under the hood, and then a sudden loss of power while trying to navigate through a busy intersection while trying to make a left turn left myself in danger of almost being struck from the vehicle behind me and an oncoming vehicle fro... Read more
Incident date: Oct 17, 2021
Water pump faild without warning car overheated and breaking was made difficult. Almost collided with another car do to the breaking not working properly when the car over heated. This problem was or is part of a lawsuit agianst Mazda. Im not sure if there has been a resolution to the lawsuit.
Incident date: Apr 16, 2022
On April 16, 2022, around 6:45PM, I drove my new Mazda CX5 (@ 3500 miles) into our church parking lot and turned right down the first row of cars. It was light out and the weather was pleasant. I turned right into a parking space with my foot on the brake. The car was facing and perpendicular to a sidewalk that was about 10 feet away. It was separated by a grassy median. When I depressed the b... Read more
Crash
2 injured