Rush hour traffic. Car stopped abruptly in front, so I tried to brake and the brakes would not engage. It's braking was very hard and there was a strange noise. Car kept going forward, not stopping until it hit the car in front. Airbags did not deploy given rush hour. However, damage is estimated at minimum $5000 to repair, due the expensive parts. This is the SAME car I had taken to Mazda approx. 3 to 4 times in 2012/2013 regarding the SAME issue, only to be told nothing wrong.

I have taken it in for regular maintenance, I had brake work recently completed as scheduled and kept car in optimum condition. I called MAZDA, who were not interested in helping, and so instructed I call my insurance company. After being a MAZDA fan, this may very well be the LAST one I own! Luckily there were no DEATHS, but my son is petrified of driving and still physically hurting over impact.

Driving in a shopping mall parking lot, all of a sudden the brakes stop working. I coasted until I could safely stop. Thank GOD I was only going 10 mph or less. Turns out the problem wasn't a "recall" EXACTLY.... but it was a known issue and if anyone brought the problem to the dealer and still had under 70,000 miles, it was covered under a warranty.

Can you imagine -- they KNOW that randomly brakes stop working and that's not a recall? I should have seen the writing on the wall with this car. (Today is 2021 and at 105K, I just learned I need a new engine at $10K). Terrible.

Noticed hissing from brakes about 6 months ago. Replaced front brakes, problem persisted. Airbag recall came in and took car into dealer. Had them look at brakes since they started making whistling noises recently. Brakes seemed to stop fine. Dealer said it was the booster. Looked it up online, found the extended warranty, however now I am past the 90,000 mile limit. 6 months ago if I had known of this I would not have been. Called Mazda corporate, they said they will NOT cover it. Guess I won't be buying another Mazda. Too bad, I really liked the CX-5.

This is an example of very poor response to a dangerous issue, and should have been a recall. This is due to the fact of this being a safety issue, as well as the lack of knowledge by the next owners if buying the vehicle used. The NHTSA really screwed this one up. Judging from the NHTSA response on this issue it seems they think that the booster would be "prevented" from totally losing pressure by hitting another part, that is, in my opinion, a bunch of crap.If you lose brake pressure of any sort you are going to panic. I guess it will take injury or death before the government acts.

brake booster noise, braking distance compromised unsafe December 19, 2017 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11055542 Components: SERVICE BRAKES NHTSA ID Number: 11055542

Incident Date December 19, 2017

Consumer Location MCKINNEY, TX

Vehicle Identification Number JM3TB2MV9A0**

Summary of Complaint

CRASHNo

FIRENo

INJURIES0

DEATHS0

HELLO!

THIS MORNING ON 19 DECEMBER 2017, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN A CITY STREET GETTING READY TO CROSS A MAJOR INTERSECTION. THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND SHE BEGAN TO BRAKE. AT FIRST THEY FELT NORMAL, BUT THEN THE PEDAL WENT DOWN AND THE BRAKES FELT REALLY HARD AND THE HISSING STARTED, ALMOST RUNNING INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. SHE PULLED OVER AND CALLED ME.

WHEN I ARRIVED, I COULD HEAR A HISSING SOUND AS IF AIR WAS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR THE BRAKE BOOSTER. I AM AN AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON MY OWN CARS FOR OVER 40 YEARS. I SEARCHED ALL OVER THINKING THAT A HOSE MIGHT HAVE TORN OR PULLED OUT OF THE CHECK VALVE, BUT I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING OBVIOUS. THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS FINE, SO I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND BEGAN TO SEARCH THE INTERNET.

I FOUND THIS WEBSITE: HTTP://WWW.MAZDAPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/BRAKE-BOOSTER-FAILURE/ AND FOUND OUT THAT MAZDA HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE ISSUE FOR YEARS. I'M REALLY UPSET THAT THEY WOULD NOT MAKE A RECALL ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS, SINCE IT AFFECTS BRAKE RELIABILITY AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH!!!

I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP: HTTP://WWW.ELDORADOMAZDA.COM/ TO VERIFY IF IT WOULD BE COVERED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT. WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT WHY WEREN'T OWNERS NOTIFIED OF THIS POSSIBLY LETHAL SITUATION, THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE AN INTELLIGENT ANSWER, OTHER THAN YOUR CAR IS TOO OLD AND IT HAS TOO MANY MILES. OUR VEHICLE BARELY HAS 92K MILES ON IT, AN AVERAGE OF 13K PER YEAR. THEY STILL TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT, BUT THAT I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR IT .

THIS SITUATION IS ABSURD AND NEGLIGENT AND I FEEL THAT ANYTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES AND THEIR PERFORMANCE OR LACK THERE OFF SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL AND OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIND OUT THE HARD WAY LIKE DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS OR AFTER AN ACCIDENT!!!

PLEASE, HELP US! :)

HOPE YOU HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well taken care of by selling dealership (Overland Park Mazda - recommended) . Currently in the shop but has not been quoted any cost, as this is a known defect on specific cx-9 years by Mazda and if any cost were imposed I would refuse. Cannot believe Mazda corp does not make a preemptive recall on the defect: I almost had a rear end and almost got rear ended on the way to dealership. Brakes are very hard to apply, then when enough pressure is applied (and it takes a lot, in our case at least) all of a sudden it comes through and puts the car to a very fast stop - dangerous if someone is laying close behind you! Highly irresponsible by Mazda corp not to recall. Again, not reflecting badly upon the dealer/ service where we bought this used , in Dec 2015. They are great! Otherwise a sporty if not thirsty 7-hauler that we enjoy.