YearToAvoid

2018 Mazda CX-5 Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 35 brake-related complaints for the 2018 Mazda CX-5, about 10% of its 349 total complaints for the year. These complaints are tied to 8 crashes and 2 injuries, with a median failure mileage of 6,950 miles. No related recalls are listed.

Brakes complaints
35
10% of 349
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
6,950 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while trying to brake and park at low speed, in some cases striking walls or parked vehicles.
  • Several describe the anti-lock brake system triggering an unexpected hard stop during normal low-speed driving, leading to rear-end collisions.
  • Some owners report the Smart City Brake Support system activating without warning at low speeds, causing sudden braking and triggering warning lights.
  • One complaint describes combined loss of power steering and brakes at highway speed, causing a crash into trees.
  • Owners also report grinding noises and hesitant brake response shortly after purchase, plus a sensation of drag or resistance while accelerating.

When 2018 Mazda CX-5 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 5, 2018, latest May 12, 2026.

2018 Mazda CX-5 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month4Feb 2018Jan 2019Aug 2019Jul 2020Feb 2022Jun 2023May 2026
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2018 to May 2026; peak Jan 2019 (4).

Brakes recalls for the 2018 Mazda CX-5

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by CX-5 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20120 (0%)
  2. 201340 (21%)
  3. 201435 (9%)
  4. 201514 (11%)
  5. 201673 (14%)
  6. 201715 (10%)
  7. 201835 (10%)
  8. 20197 (3%)
  9. 202014 (13%)
  10. 202111 (8%)
  11. 20224 (6%)
  12. 202311 (18%)
  13. 20248 (18%)
  14. 202510 (37%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 Mazda CX-5?
NHTSA lists 35 brake-related complaints for the 2018 CX-5, which is about 10% of the 349 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2018 Mazda CX-5 brakes?
No. NHTSA data shows no related recalls listed for the brake complaints on the 2018 CX-5.
At what mileage do 2018 CX-5 brake problems usually happen?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 6,950 miles.
Have the 2018 CX-5 brake issues caused crashes or injuries?
Yes. NHTSA data tied to these brake complaints includes 8 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.
How does 2018 compare to other CX-5 years for brake complaints?
The 2018 CX-5 brake share is 10%, similar to 2017 (10%) and 2020 (13%), but lower than 2013 (21%) and 2025 (37%) among model years with complaint data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.