2023 Mazda CX-5 Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 9%of 67 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2023 Mazda CX-5, 9% of the 67 complaints for this model year. 2 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.
“After driving a few mile, the following two warnings come up * Smart Brake System Malfunction * Forward Radar Sensor System malfunction. If I turn off the car and then restart, the warnings go away. However, it comes back if I drive for a while again. I have visited dealership a few times for the same issue, they replaced the wheel bearing and brake switch. The warning disappeared for days and came back.”
NHTSA complaint #11691048, filed 2025-10“On October 16, 2025, while slowly pulling into a parking space, my vehicle experienced sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input. I did not depress the accelerator. Despite attempting to stop the vehicle, I was unable to do so. The vehicle mounted the curb, entered the sidewalk area, and struck a community mailbox, a tree, and two legally parked vehicles. My vehicle and the two parked vehicles were declared total losses. At the time of the incident, pedestrians, including toddlers, were present on the sidewalk. …”
NHTSA complaint #11736040, filed 2026-05“On 09/01/2026 at approximately 55 mph, I was driving with adaptive cruise control engaged. The vehicle ahead decelerated abruptly. My vehicle began braking hard with no input from me for a fraction of a second. A red BRAKE warning appeared in the instrument cluster with an audible alarm. I then applied the brake pedal hard. On first contact the pedal barely moved from its rest position and was extremely firm. About a second into my application, while still traveling at over 25 mph, pedal resistance dropped sharply and pedal travel increased substantially. …”
NHTSA complaint #11761780, filed 2026-09“Autobraking activates randomly. Mazda scans codes and returns the vehicle. They have refused to service or disable the system. NHTSA laws are dangerous and this tech is not ready for road use. Avoid Mazda at all costs!”
NHTSA complaint #11710883, filed 2026-01“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Smart Brake Support (SBS) & Forward Obstruction Warning system malfunctioned. Front radar sensor malfunctioned. Parking brake malfunctioned. I-activesense system malfunctioned. Emergency lane keep disabled. Dynamic stability control malfunctioned. Traction control system not operating correctly. Anti-lock brake system (ABS) malfunctioned. Brake system not responding. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? …”
NHTSA complaint #11712715, filed 2026-01Forward 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 2023 Mazda CX-5
12 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsLane departure
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 Mazda CX-5
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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