2020 Mazda CX-5 Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 11%of 108 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2020 Mazda CX-5, 11% of the 108 complaints for this model year. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When coasting into a parking space the car suddenly accelerated. At a high rate of speed, the car jumped the curb and planting area of median separating the parking area. The car struck 2 other cars on the other side of the median. The car directly in front of my car was moved several feet. My air bag deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11767211, filed 2026-09“I was traveling behind a propane truck, that was going to make a right turn. I disengaged the adaptive cruise control by tapping on the break. I began coasting to a stop, suddenly the car began accelerating again with no warning. I was forced to make the turn with the propane truck and side swiped the truck in the process.”
NHTSA complaint #11522742, filed 2023-05“While driving on the highway in traffic, I was applying the brakes (slowly and smoothly) and moving with the flow of traffic when the SBS system activated the brakes harshly and slammed me to a stop without reason. In addition to throwing me forward against my seatbelt, it also resulted in the car behind me rear-ending me. I did not hit the car ahead of me, since I was far enough behind them BEFORE the smart brake support engaged, but the feature caused an accident that could have been avoided.”
NHTSA complaint #11729750, filed 2026-04“Forward Braking Safety Sensor Was on transmission after braking check engine light . Was driving car from work it lost all power . And those warning ⚠️ light indicators where on . Car wouldn't go over 15mph . Took vehicle to mazda and dropped it off as my husband requested information do so . Mazda called say diagnostic saying it needed plugs ,coil packs serpentine belt and adjuster pulleys replacement. I called my husband he's a mechanical engineer he said no way it needs a tune up that early. He requested information go get the car as he flew home from working outta town. …”
NHTSA complaint #11642604, filed 2025-02“While driving forward in a straight line during broad daylight at approximately 40mph, the car in front of me slowed and turned right onto a side street. I applied brakes to slow myself (to ~25mph I estimate) until the car in front of me was fully out of my lane. Once the car in front of me was out of my lane, I released the brake in order to accelerate back up to the speed limit, but before I could press the gas pedal the car suddenly slammed on the brakes, beeped warning beeps, and displayed BRAKE on the dash. It did this for less than a second before deactivating. …”
NHTSA complaint #11554529, filed 2023-11Related service bulletins
- 10232279Feb 16, 2023Some vehicles may turn on the passenger seatbelt reminder, even though there is no passenger seated in the vehicle. This concern may be caused by the passenger sensor being too…
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 18% |
| 2025 | 6 | 21% |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% |
| 2023 | 6 | 9% |
| 2022 | 4 | 6% |
| 2021 | 11 | 7% |
| 2020 | 12 | 11% |
| 2019 | 16 | 6% |
| 2018 | 13 | 4% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2020 Mazda CX-5
31 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsLane departure
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Mazda CX-5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology