2015 Mazda Mazda3 Brakes Problems

Description On 12-15-2025, in 18°F weather, the vehicle was parked on a residential sloped driveway with the manual parking brake fully engaged. While the driver was outside the vehicle, the parking brake system failed to hold the car’s weight. The vehicle rolled backward, crashed through a wooden railing, teetering on a 4-foot retaining wall, and came to rest over a culvert. Two young children were inside the vehicle at the time of the failure. Component Failure & Availability: The manual parking brake system failed to provide sufficient holding force to secure the vehicle. The rear brake calipers are currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: The safety of the two children inside the vehicle was put at extreme risk due to the unexpected movement of the car. This failure matches the exact conditions and consequences described in Safety Recall 1217F (NHTSA Campaign 17V-393), which states that "unexpected movement of the vehicle if parked on a slope" increases the risk of a collision. Reproducibility & Confirmation: The failure occurred under the specific environmental triggers (cold temperature and slope) identified in the manufacturer's own safety recall documentation. However, the manufacturer has officially refused to authorize the internal teardown of the actuator shafts—the only diagnostic method capable of verifying the rust and sliding resistance that causes this loss of holding force. Inspections: The vehicle has been visually inspected by an authorized dealership and insurance representatives. The manufacturer has declined the necessary internal mechanical diagnostics to verify the internal defect. Warning Symptoms: There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The parking brake felt fully engaged at the time the vehicle was parked.

NHTSA ID

11711269

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

NHTSA ID

11691201

Incident

Oct 3, 2025

The parking brake does not disengage even after the recall fix was applied. Mazda refuses to look at it any more as the fix has passed your testing despite it not working.

NHTSA ID

11487104

Incident

Apr 6, 2022

MY REAR BRAKES ALWAYS SEEM TO BE DRAGGING. THEY MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AS I EXIT MY NEIGHBORHOOD. AFTER DRIVING A WHILE, THE NOISE IS QUIETER BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. I AM AFRAID OF IT LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL.

NHTSA ID

11343445

Incident

Aug 5, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PAD HAS A PROBLEM AND IT STUCK ON EVEN WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL, THIS DEFECT CAUSE SOME NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPING AND CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR ON THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTORS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11325918

Incident

May 25, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BACK BRAKES TWICE IN 4 YEARS. NOW CALIPERS HAVE GONE OUT WHICH RUINED ROTORS AND PADS. IT LOOKS LIKE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH CALIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND WEARING THE BRAKES PREMATURELY.

NHTSA ID

11320516

Incident

Mar 18, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

2015 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID

11258138

Incident

Oct 2, 2019

I STARTED NOTICING A SQUEAL FROM MY REAR BRAKES THAT WOULD OCCUR AT THE BEGINNING OF DRIVING (NOT WHILE BRAKING) THEN GO AWAY AFTER 1 OR 2 STOPS. ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, THE DAY I USED MY HANDBRAKE TO PARK, AFTER MY 25 MINUTE COMMUTE HOME I NOTICED A HOT METAL SMELL. I PUT MY HAND UP TO MY DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL AND FELT INTENSE HEAT FROM THE BRAKES. SAW THE ROTORS WERE DUG IN. I BOUGHT REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS AND CHANGED THEM OUT MYSELF. THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFT WAS STUCK, BINDING THE BRAKES ON BOTH REAR CALIPERS. THE METAL AROUND THE BOOT OF BOTH SHAFTS ON THE CALIPER LOOK WET. THE PISTON OF THE CALIPER WAS EASILY ROTATED BACK IN AFTER UNBINDING THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFT. PARKING BRAKE NOW IS UNHOOKED DUE TO IT BEING UNSAFE. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFTS ON THE REAR CALIPERS AFTER ONLY 24,900 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11258867

Incident

Sep 12, 2019

Mileage

24,900 mi

LIKE MANY OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS, I HAVE HAD WATER ENTER MY CALIPERS AND BIND, LEAVING BRAKES ACTIVATED ON THE ROTORS WEARING DOWN THE BRAKES FASTER THAN NORMAL. APPROX 65,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I AM CURRENTLY GETTING MY THIRD SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE, WITH NEW CALIPERS THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. AFTER CONTACTING MAZDA, MY VIN SPECIFIC DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN FROM MAZDA AND SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MODELS.

NHTSA ID

11257397

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

Mileage

65,000 mi

PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND WEARS OUT BRAKE PADS QUICKLY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPEN AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN.

NHTSA ID

11243790

Incident

Jul 27, 2019

Mileage

50,700 mi

COMMING TO A STOP CAR DIDNT SLOW DOWN AND WHEN EMERGENCY LEVER WAS PULLED FOR A STOP IT DIDNT WORK! RECALL NOTICE1217F NHTSA NUMBER17V393

NHTSA ID

11184240

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

72,000 mi

I TOOK MY CAR TO A BRAKE SHOP BECAUSE OF SCRAPING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES. THE PASSENGER REAR BRAKE WAS PREMATURELY WORN BECAUSE THE BRAKE WAS CONSTANTLY ENGAGED. THE BRAKE REPAIR SHOP HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE ON MAZDA3 AND INFORMED ME IT WAS PART OF A RECALL, AND THAT THIS POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO ME WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SHOP HANDED ME A SHEET WITH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V393000. I CALLED THE 800 222 5500 FOR MAZDA ON INFORMATION ON THE RECALL. BUT BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP IN THE SYSTEM UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL REPAIR. SHOULD I BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN REGARDLESS OF VIN NUMBER IF THE ISSUE IS THE SAME IS IDENTICAL TO RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11140082

Incident

Oct 12, 2018

I WENT INTO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A REPAIR COMPLETED FOR THE BRAKE RECALL. THE MECHANIC CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED EVERYTHING COMPLETELY. HOWEVER, THE MAZDA WEBPAGE IS SHOWING THE RECALL HAVING BEEN DONE INCOMPLETE.

NHTSA ID

11128463

Incident

Aug 6, 2018

FAILED BRAKE BOOSTER, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAULTY, EXCESSIVE BRAKE PRESSURE REQUIRED TO ENGAGE SWITCH. VEHICLE DID NOT START BECAUSE SWITCH NOT ENGAGED.

NHTSA ID

11073160

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

Mileage

52,000 mi

RECALL ISSUED JUNE 2017 REGARDING BRAKE PROBLEM - PARTS STILL NOT AVAILABLE AS OF FEBRUARY 2018 TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11071865

Incident

Feb 8, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BARNES CROSSING MAZDA (3983 N GLOSTER ST, TUPELO, MS 38804, (662) 844-1383) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE REMEDY WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11071800

Incident

Aug 19, 2017

ON THE MECHANICAL (CABLE) TYPE PARKING BRAKE, WATER MAY ENTER THE BRAKE CALIPER DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SEALING PERFORMANCE OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PROTECTIVE BOOT, PARTICULARLY UNDER LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, AND THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFT, WHICH IS THE COMPONENT OF REAR BRAKE CALIPER, MAY BE RUSTED. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USED WITH SUCH CONDITION, THE RUST MAY PROGRESS, INCREASING THE SLIDING RESISTANCE OF THE ACTUATOR SHAFT. IN EXTREME CASES, THE RUSTED ACTUATOR SHAFT MAY GET STUCK IN THE BRAKE CALIPER BODY, CAUSING BRAKE DRAGGING WHILE DRIVING AND DECREASING THE PARKING BRAKE HOLDING FORCE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLE IF PARKED ON A SLOPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID

11063650

Incident

Jun 22, 2017

SAFETY RECALL 1217F RECEIVED 8/2017. TO DATE "REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE." THIS TIME (NOW 6 MONTHS) SEEMS TO BE AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF WAIT TIME FOR THE PARTS TO BE RECEIVED BY MY MAZDA DEALER. WHAT IN YOUR VIEW IS "A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME"?

NHTSA ID

11058006

Incident

Aug 19, 2017

NOTIFIED OF RECALL 8/19/17 WENT TO DEALER 10/24/17 DEALER STILL STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS. WISH TO SELL CAR BUT MUST HAVE REPAIR DONE FIRST. STILL CONTINUING TO DRIVE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11055123

Incident

Aug 18, 2017

NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:17V-393 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER:1217F RECALL ISSUED JUNE 22, 2017 NO MANUFACTURER FIX AVAILABLE, YET AS OF OCTOBER 27, 2017 SUMMARY ON THE MECHANICAL (CABLE) TYPE PARKING BRAKE, WATER MAY ENTER THE BRAKE CALIPER DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE SEALING PERFORMANCE OF THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER PROTECTIVE BOOT, PARTICULARLY UNDER LOW TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, AND THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFT, WHICH IS THE COMPONENT OF REAR BRAKE CALIPER, MAY BE RUSTED. SAFETY RISK DESCRPITION IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE USED WITH SUCH CONDITION, THE RUST MAY PROGRESS, INCREASING THE SLIDING RESISTANCE OF THE ACTUATOR SHAFT. IN EXTREME CASES, THE RUSTED ACTUATOR SHAFT MAY GET STUCK IN THE BRAKE CALIPER BODY, CAUSING BRAKE DRAGGING WHILE DRIVING AND DECREASING THE PARKING BRAKE HOLDING FORCE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF VEHICLE IF PARKED ON A SLOPE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A COLLISION. REMEDY YOUR MAZDA DEALER WILL CHECK THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFTS INSIDE THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPERS. IF THE ACTUATOR SHAFT IS FOUND TO BE RUSTED, THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED ONE. IF NO RUST IS FOUND ON THE ACTUATOR SHAFT, THE PROTECTIVE BOOT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED ONE. THE INSPECTION AND REPAIR WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO COST TO YOU. RECALL STATUS RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE

NHTSA ID

11040379

Incident

Oct 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED EXCESSIVELY. THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. ANYTHING MAZDA (5576 PLEASANT VIEW RD, MEMPHIS, TN) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11031367

Incident

Sep 29, 2017

Mileage

68,000 mi

2015 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO RECALLS BEING ISSUED FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/29/2017*JS

NHTSA ID

11031068

Incident

Jun 30, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WERE DRAGGING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (CONNECTICUT'S OWN VOLVO, 909 BOSTON POST ROAD, MILFORD, CT, 06460) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,500. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11020085

Incident

Jul 26, 2017

Mileage

14,500 mi

PARKING BREAK DOES NOT HOLD OR RELEASES AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED (FLAT OR HILL SURFACES) CAR HAS ROLLED 3 TIMES IN PARKING LOTS SITUATION. 3RD TIME CAR ROLLED AFTER BEING STATIONARY FOR 45 MIN. I WITNESSED CAR LOCKED ROLLING IN THE LOT AS I CAM OUT AND CLICKED THE DOOR LOCKS FROM DISTANCE OF 20 FT AWAY. CAR ROLLED SILENTLY - COULD HAVE HIT ANYONE BEHIND IT IN THE PARKING LOT AREA - VERY VERY DANGEROUS! MAZDA CLAIMS MY CAR VIN NO. IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR MAZDA 3 AND MAZDA 6S THAT HAS JUST BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM - PARKING BRAKES NOT HOLDING. I BEG TO DIFFER. THE FIRST 2 TIMES THIS HAPPENED I THOUGHT IT WAS ME, BUT NOW AM CONVINCED CAR HAS AN ISSUE. HAVE DRIVEN STICK / MANUAL WITH PARKING BRAKE FOR 23 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. NOW, HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. AM HAVING BRAKES INSPECTED AT THE DEALERSHIP LOOKING FOR CORROSION OR OTHER ISSUES THAT COULD CAUSE BRAKE TO NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY - NO MATTER WHAT MAZDA CLAIMS - THIS IS LIKELY A DESIGN ISSUE ON MY VIN NUMBER AS WELL. RECALL IS 1217F - FOR VEHCILES 14-16.. ONLY THOSE WITH HAND BRAKES LIKE MINE. MAZDA IMPLIED I DID NOT SET PARKING BRAKE. I BEG TO DIFFER. READ THE PART WHEN I'VE DRIVEN 2 STICK SHIFTS FOR 23 YEARS - WITH NO ROLL ISSUES EVER. ALL 3 ROLLS OCCURED IN PARKING LOTS, WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD THE BRAKE SET. I NOW LEAVE CAR IN FIRST GEAR AND USE PARKING BRAKES. JUST TO BE SURE. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE. OTHER VEHICLES SHOULD BE CHECKED AND OWNERS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ID

11005441

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

Mileage

7,350 mi

I WENT TO GO STEP ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS COMING UP ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED DUE TO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I SLID RIGHT INTO THE GUY. I TRIED TO TURN MY WHEEL TO GO ON SHOULDER, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND IN TRAFFIC. I WASN'T SPEEDING AS THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO AS TRAFFIC WAS IN PLAY, BUT OUR LANE STARTED TO MOVE AND I STAYED BACK AND WHEN I WENT TO STEP ON BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP.

NHTSA ID

11002481

Incident

Jun 22, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi