This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Mazda CX-5 brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Mazda CX-5 have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 34,200 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 CX-5 | 21 |
| 2014 CX-5 (this page) | 20 |
| 2015 CX-5 | 7 |
| 2016 CX-5 | 52 |
| 2017 CX-5 | 9 |
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 20 brakes complaints filed for the 2014 Mazda CX-5, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 11 model years of Mazda CX-5 in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern. NOTE: Before following this Service Alert repair procedure, ensure published TSBs in MGSS have been completed per model year.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Front Brake Noise Symptom 1: Some vehicles may exhibit a click noise when first moving forward or reverse from a stop OR when first applying the brakes while moving forward at slow speeds. This is caused by deteriorated grease between the brake pads and the shim, the front brake pads move upward/downward along with the brake rotors during brake application. When the vehicle moves or the brakes are applied the next time, the front brake pads move to the other side, which causes a click noise. Front Brake Noise Symptom 2: Some vehicles may exhibit the brakes having an unusual noise or vibration when applying the brake. This is caused by rust on the brake disk plate’s surface. Rear Brake Noise
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Rear brake pads and rotors wear out far sooner than expected on this model—typically between 26,000 and 35,000 miles. Owners describe grinding and squealing noises from the rear, sometimes with uneven wear where inner pads are worn to 1 mm while outer pads still have 4 mm. Dealerships cite normal wear, but the accelerated timeline and pattern raise questions about caliper or hydraulic issues.
Rear calipers seize and overheat, causing smoke, extreme heat buildup, and dangerous drag that forces emergency stops. One owner's tire pressure jumped from 35 PSI to over 50 PSI from brake heat alone, and lug nuts loosened from the excessive temperature.
Rotors warp repeatedly. One owner had front and rear rotors replaced at 31,000 miles, then all new rotors warped again by 37,000 miles. Vibration and rumbling at highway speeds are common. Some rotors show severe corrosion as early as 26,000 miles.
Brake pedal failures occur intermittently, especially in hot weather—pedals go hard or soft, losing responsiveness. One owner's vacuum pump malfunctioned but fell outside a recall range. Another had a complete power brake failure.
One owner also noted the brake pedal sits several inches higher than the accelerator, which he claims slowed his emergency reaction time during an accident.
Owners cite TSB 04-005/15 and TSB 04-003/14, with mixed warranty outcomes.
Same Mazda CX-5 brakes reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Rear brake pad and rotor premature wear
Rear brake pads and rotors wear out far earlier than normal, often by 26,000–35,000 miles, sometimes with uneven wear patterns (inner pads thinner than outer, or vice versa). Owners report grinding noises and squealing from the rear.
When: 26,000–35,000 miles; some cases show initial symptoms appearing within 1–2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Grinding noise from rear brakes; Squealing noise from rear; Premature brake pad wear (pads at 0.2 mm thickness or 1 mm on inner pad, 4 mm on outer); Uneven wear between inner and outer pads; Rotors at or near minimum thickness (10 mm when 8 mm is minimum); No warning lights displayed despite wear
Codes mentioned: TSB 04-005/15, TSB 04-003/14
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads and rotors replaced at dealership; costs cited include $208.95 for pads and rotors. Some owners question whether caliper or hydraulic flex-line issues contribute.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 04-005/15 referenced by owners; Mazda warranty claim disputes noted—some covered under 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, others denied. Dealers cite uneven wear as normal wear, not defect.
Rear caliper seizing
Rear calipers seize or stick, causing brakes to bind and overheat, sometimes producing smoke and extreme heat that affects tire pressure and wheel components. Occurs in both cold-climate salt-exposure scenarios and in standard driving.
When: 30,000–42,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from rear brake area while driving; Extreme overheating of rotor, caliper, hub, and tires; Tire pressure sensor activation (tire pressure increased from 35 PSI to over 50 PSI); Stuck or sticking rear calipers (reported as water/corrosion entry causing rust); Catastrophic drag requiring emergency stop
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads, rotors, calipers replaced; repair cost cited as $208.95. Water/corrosion-induced rust identified in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda attributed seizing to salt and sand corrosion in cold climates; warranty dispute—owner claims it should be covered under 3-year/36,000-mile warranty per TSB 04-005/15.
Rotor warping
Front and/or rear rotors warp prematurely, causing vibration during braking, sometimes requiring replacement within months of an initial replacement. Rotors may also become severely corroded at very low mileage.
When: 31,000 miles (first set); 37,000 miles (second warping); some corrosion noted at 26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Severe vibration when braking, especially at speeds above 50 mph; Rumbling noise during braking; Warped rotors visible on inspection; Severe corrosion/pitting of rotors; Rotors require replacement shortly after initial replacement (within 6 months to 1 year)
Repairs/costs cited: Front and rear rotors replaced; one owner reported replacement in March 2016, then again in December 2016. Corrosion-prone rotors noted at 26,000 miles as requiring immediate replacement per dealership.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attribute warping to 'too much high speed braking' and deny warranty coverage. Some owners question steel quality and rotor specification.
Power brake system failure (hard pedal, non-responsive brakes)
Brake pedal becomes extremely hard to push, or pedal goes to the floor without adequate braking response. Typically occurs during warm weather or city driving. Issues traced to vacuum pump malfunction, dirty brake fluid, and loss of hydraulic pressure.
When: Up to 49,000 miles; occurs intermittently, particularly in hot weather
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal extremely hard to push or non-responsive; Pedal travels to the floor without stopping power; Brakes must be pumped to engage; Intermittent failure during city traffic; Dirty brake fluid detected
Codes mentioned: Vacuum pump malfunction (identified by independent shop, VIN not covered by related recall)
Repairs/costs cited: Brake fluid flush performed; rear brake pads replaced as precaution. Vacuum pump malfunction suspected but not fully repaired in reported case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda dealership could not duplicate problem. Recommended brake fluid flush; owner noted relevant recall exists but VIN does not fall within recall range.
Intermittent brake squealing and grinding with rear brake noise
Rear brakes produce intermittent squealing or grinding noises during driving (not always during braking), sometimes accompanied by a tin-can-like noise. Noise increases in frequency and loudness over time.
When: 35,000–45,000 miles; noise duration and frequency escalate from weekly to daily over months
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent squeals from rear during driving; Grinding or tin-can-like noise; Noise more pronounced during driving than braking; Noise increases in duration and frequency over time; Noise can be temporarily stopped by acceleration or steering maneuvers; No brake service warning light displayed
Codes mentioned: TSB 04-005/15
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads replacement recommended after diagnostic; pads found at 1 mm (inner) and 4 mm (outer) with rotors at 10 mm minimum.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 04-005/15 acknowledged; initial dealership diagnostic suggested brake fluid change; corporate Mazda eventually agreed to diagnostic after owner cited TSB.
Soft or unresponsive brake pedal at start of ownership
Brake pedal feels soft or lacks adequate pressure when braking, with insufficient hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder. Brakes do not return appropriately after application. This manifests early in vehicle ownership.
When: Noted at or soon after purchase; issue present for multiple weeks before resolution attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Soft brake pedal; Insufficient pressure in master cylinder; Brake does not return to normal position after application; Brake pads do not perform adequately; Interior rotors grind
Repairs/costs cited: All four rotors and pads required replacement despite low mileage not warranting such wear.
Brake pedal positioning hazard (height mismatch with accelerator)
Brake pedal is positioned several inches higher than the accelerator pedal, requiring significant foot movement and stretch to engage brakes quickly in an emergency. This design creates a safety concern by slowing reaction time during unexpected situations.
When: Present from ownership of vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal several inches higher than accelerator; Foot hang-up on brake pedal during quick transition from accelerator; Delayed reaction time during emergency braking; Requires conscious concentration and significant effort to transition quickly between pedals
Repairs/costs cited: No adjustment or remedy available; Mazda states this is normal factory design.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda stated this is normal and all new cars are designed this way; denied that the design is a safety concern.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The rear brake pads on my Mazda cx 5 grand touring model is worn out to (0.2 per dealer) at approx 34200 miles. Noticed this problem a few weeks back when the car started making a grinding noise from the rear. This is very unusual in my experience that a car which is about 2 years and 6 months old needs new brake pads and rotors replaced. On my other cars which are Nissan the brake pads lasted…
2 issues so far with this car: 1st - rear brakes seized up after 30k causing a trail of smoke to follow my car while on the highway, followed by an emergency stop on the side of the road. The hub, rotor, brake caliper, and tires became so hot that the tire pressure sensor went off and upon inspection, the tire pressure had increased from 35psi to over 50psi (tire pressure gauge did not go…
Had brakes trouble with your 2014 Mazda CX-5?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2014 Mazda CX-5?
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 27,000 and 42,500 miles, with the median around 34,200. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,000; a quarter make it past 42,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Mazda/CX-5.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.