2018 Mazda CX-9 Brakes Problems

My 2018 Mazda CX-9 experienced catastrophic engine damage after a radiator failure allowed coolant to enter the engine. The vehicle provided no dashboard warning, overheating alert, or coolant warning before the failure occurred. Modern vehicles are designed to alert drivers to overheating or cooling system failures. The lack of warning prevented me from addressing the issue and resulted in catastrophic engine damage. I believe this represents a potential safety defect in the vehicle’s cooling system monitoring and warning system.

NHTSA ID

11723876

Incident

Feb 19, 2026

my 2018 MAZDA CX-9 safety issue SCBS / SBS, LAS / LDWS, MASTER AND/OR HBC WARNING LIGHTS Forward sensing camera (FSC) stops functioning cause my car run rough even depress accelration and those light came on dashbaord -Forworad smart city brake support malfunction -smart brake system -front camera sensor malfunction

NHTSA ID

11685844

Incident

Sep 8, 2025

I am submitting this recall request because my vehicle has experienced repeated incidents of a serious safety issue. While driving—most often on the highway—a warning appears that says “Smart System Brake Malfunction.” Immediately after, the car begins braking on its own without driver input. This has happened multiple times and, based on online reports, it appears to be affecting many Mazda vehicles across different models and years. Each time, I have been forced to pull over, turn off the car, and restart it to temporarily resolve the issue. This is extremely dangerous, especially at highway speeds, as it creates a high risk of rear-end collisions and sudden loss of vehicle control. When reported to Mazda, the concern was dismissed as a “sensor issue,” but the repeated nature and widespread reports suggest a potential systemic defect that requires urgent investigation and recall.

NHTSA ID

11682407

Incident

Aug 10, 2025

1. The navigation has a frosted crackle appearance framing the screen. It is difficult to read the navigation when needed. I know this has happened to other models of this vehicle and those were recalled and covered. 2. The brake senor keeps going off stating "SMART BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". This goes off repeatedly while driving. 3. Then a second message pops up and reads "FRONT RADAR SENSOR SYSTEM MALFUNTION".

NHTSA ID

11654693

Incident

Apr 15, 2025

I keep getting a automatic emergency braking malfunction alert

NHTSA ID

11496403

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

Within 6-8 months of purchasing the car we noticed the brakes squeaking and vibrating. At that time the car was under 25,000 miles. At our maintenance check it was advised that we have the brakes resurfaced at the next appt. Back brakes were done in 3/2019 and the front were done in 6/2019. We noticed the squealing and vibration returned again. At our recent maintenance check, we asked to have the brakes and rotors inspected. We were told everything looked fine and nothing needed to be done, however we are still experiencing the vibration which is very troubling. We called another place explaining the issue and they said that it sounds like we need new rotors. Our car has mostly been sitting over the last year and a half with very few added miles. We're curious to know why a car with less than 25,000 miles on it needed the rotors resurfaced and why with less than 60,000 miles it needs new rotors. The brakes on the Mazda SUV's seem to wear rather quickly or perhaps the incorrect brakes are put on for this size of vehicle. The increased vibration seems like a safety hazard

NHTSA ID

11418168

Incident

Mar 30, 2021

HAPPENED TO ME TWO TIMES IN PAST THREE WEEKS, WHERE I AM COMING TO A STOP, OR HARDLY MOVING, AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WAS STILL TRYING TO ACCELERATE. YESTERDAY, 4/24/21 IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 39 YEARS AND HAVE OWNED MANY CARS, AND SOMETHING LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME. I WILL BE BRING THE CAR DEALERSHIP TOMORROW, THE CAR HAS ONLY 10K MILES ON IT AS WE DON'T DO A LOT OF DRIVING WITH IT AS WE OWE TWO CARS. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE WRONG PEDAL, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IF THE DEALER DOES NOT FIND ANYTHING WITH THE CAR, I INTEND TO SELL IT, AS THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE SCARIEST EXPERIENCE I HAD WITH A CAR. IT IS INTERMITTENT, SO I AM NOT SURE WHEN ITS GOING TO OCCUR, BUT TWICE IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS IS NOT COINCIDENCE ( IT ALSO HAPPENED TO MY WIFE A FEW MONTHS AGO, BUT WE THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS). IN ONE CASE I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN, AND WAS BRAKING AND CAR WAS ACCELERATING AS I TRIED TO BREAK. I HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE SHUT OFF CAR TO GET TO STOP. YESTERDAY, I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, AND WAS WAITING FOR AN ON COMING CAR TO PASS ME BEFORE I COULD TURN ONTO ROAD, WHEN CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE, WHEN I HAD MY FOOT ON BRAKE, AND TOOK EVERYTHING TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ACCELERATING FORWARD INTO ON COMING CAR. ONCE CAR PASSED, I MADE TURN ONTO ROAD, AND ISSUE DID NOT REPEAT ON THE REMAINING MILE TO MY HOUSE. I WENT ONTO A MAZDA FORUM AND I SAW A FEW OTHERS WHO RAISED THE SAME CONCERN/ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11413732

Incident

Apr 24, 2021

Mileage

10,300 mi

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ('EPB') BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION FOLLOWING RECALL TO FIX ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ON MAZDA CX-9, 2018. EPB WILL NOT RELEASE, OR WILL UNEXPECTEDLY AND SUDDENLY RELEASE WITH CAR ACCELERATING IN GEAR ('DRIVE' OR 'REVERSE'). MOST RECENTLY WHEN ACTIVATING THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ((CAR WAS ON A A ROADWAY INCLINE) THE BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE, AFTER 2 HOURS OF BEING STRANDED AND OF ATTEMPTING TO GET THE BRAKE TO RELEASE, ( INCLUDING ROCKING/SHIFTING/ALTERNATING GEARS/BRAKING/SEAT BELT ON/SEAT BELT OFF/ MANUAL BRAKE ON/OFF AND FOLLOWING ALL MANUAL PROCEDURES REPETITIVELY) A CELL PHONE CALL TO THE MAZDA SERVICE MANAGER WHO SUGGESTED ROCKING THE CAR BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS ) THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY 'RELEASED', SENDING THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD AND REQUIRING DRIVER TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO AVOID DRIVING OVER A CLIFF). VEHICLE EPB INSPECTION REQUESTED, MAZDA SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE EPB IS, 'NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR VEHICLE SAFETY', BLAMED THE MALFUNCTION ON 'BREAD CRUMBS' , OFFERED TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE CONSOLE SWITCH (PRESUMABLY WITH ANOTHER NEW, BUT ALSO DEFECTIVE, SWITCH) BUT REFUSED TO INSPECT THE MECHANICAL/OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM (FOR ABNORMAL RUST, WATER LEAKS, DEFECTIVE CABLES, DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL WIRING, ETC.). MAZDA USES THE SAME MANUFACTURER OF EPB FOR ALL MAZDA CX SERIES VEHICLES. FEDERAL NHSA RECALLS FOR EPB MALFUNCTIONS WERE MANDATED FOR ALL MAZDA CX SERIES VEHICLES - EXCEPT THE MAZDA CX 9. THE CX 9 USES THE SAME EPB SYSTEM AS DO THE OTHER MAZDA CX SERIES MODELS. IT STANDS TO REASON THAT THE BRAKING ISSUES FOR OTHER MAZDA RECALLS IS THE SAME REASON WHY THE CX 9 SHOULD HAVE RECALLS TO FIX THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR MAZDA CX 9 VEHICLES TO FIX THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DEFECT(S). THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11403803

Incident

Mar 15, 2021

Mileage

39,000 mi

I'M CONSTANTLY HAVE A FRONT WINDSHIELD ERROR : CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO JUST AUTOMATICALLY STOPING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND STREETS. MY AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN I WAS I A ACCIDENT . I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES ALREADY AND THEY ALWAYS HAVE A DIFFERENT EXCUSE OR REASON

NHTSA ID

11340475

Incident

Jun 21, 2020

Mileage

28,000 mi

I WANTED TO SAY IT HAPPENED TO US WHILE WE WERE DRIVING BACK FROM A DAYTRIP ON SATURDAY. WE HAD OUR KIDS IN THE CAR AND MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SCBS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED GIVING GAS. THE CAR BEHIND US COULDN'T TELL WE WERE SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS NO BRAKE LIGHT. WE WERE ALMOST REAR ENDED. THE CAR BEHIND US COULDN'T STOP IN ENOUGH TIME SO THEY JUST SWERVED ONTO THE OTHER SIDE OF US. WE HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER AND IT WAS ALMOST NIGHTTIME. MY HUSBAND ENDED UP PUSHING THE CAR TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD AND TO A SAFE PLACE. IT WOULD ONLY GO 2 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM EXCEPT THEY ARE CONTINUING TO LOOK INTO IT. IT'S A 2018 MAZDA CX9 WITH ONLY 26000 MILES. IT'S NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I'M HOPING THAT WHATEVER THE FIX IS, IT'S COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IF IT WAS A TRUCK OR BUS BEHIND US, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP EITHER. IF WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENED, THERE IS NO DOUBT IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11339324

Incident

Jul 11, 2020

Mileage

26,000 mi

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN THE UPPER PARKING LOT AT WORK. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SO THAT I COULD STOP AND PARK BUT THE PEDAL WAS HARD AND HAD NO GIVE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD OVER A CURB AND PARTLY DOWN A SMALL SET OF STAIRS THAT GO FROM THE UPPER PARKING LOT TO THE LOWER PARKING LOT. THE CAR STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A METAL RAILING AND I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK.

NHTSA ID

11296784

Incident

Jan 2, 2020

Mileage

35,000 mi