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Two Florida residents allege in a Mazda class action lawsuit that their late model vehicle contains defective “smart” brakes which activate unexpectedly.
Plaintiffs Jason Miyares and Christie A. Vidaillet say they leased a 2019 Mazda 3 not knowing that the car suffered from a defect that caused unintended activation of the Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) and/or the Smart Brake Support (SBS) systems.
According to the Mazda class action lawsuit, 2018 through 2020 model year Mazda vehicles containing SCBS or SBS systems are affected by a braking defect.
“The Class Vehicles contain a feature called i-Activsense, which includes active safety technology and pre-crash safety technology, which are meant to prevent and reduce the risk of collisions,” explains the Mazda class action.
“When working properly, the SCBS and SBS systems alert the driver of a possible collision using the warning indications on the display panel and a warning sound if the front radar sensor and the [forward sensing camera] determine that there is the possibility of a collision with an object, such as a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle ahead. If the systems deem a collision unavoidable, the automatic brake control is activated to reduce damage.”
However, allege the plaintiffs, when the camera overheats, malfunctions occur. Specifically, the plaintiffs claim that the camera improperly activates the braking systems and the vehicle slows down or stops – even though there is no chance of collision.
“The Braking Defect presents significant safety risks for Plaintiffs and Class Members because when the braking system malfunctions and improperly stops or slows the vehicle, Plaintiffs and Class Members are unable to accelerate or maintain the speed of the vehicle,” states the Mazda class action lawsuit.
“Plaintiffs, Class Members, and other occupants of the Class Vehicles are at risk for rear end collisions and other accidents resulting in injury or potentially death because of Defendants’ failure to correct the Braking Defect and/or disclose the existence of the Braking Defect and the safety risks it poses to drivers, vehicle occupants, regulators, and the public in general.”
Indeed, the plaintiffs say that they experienced the defective smart braking system shortly after they leased their vehicle in the summer of 2019. Vidaillet alleges that the braking system lit up on her while driving and the Mazda went from 40 mph to a complete stop within seconds; however, there was allegedly no reason for the car to stop. Vidaillet says the car behind her was barely able to stop in time, narrowly missing a rear end collision.
The Mazda class action lawsuit alleges that the plaintiffs took their car into the dealership. They said that they were told the computer would be reset and they would no longer suffer unintended braking. However, a few months later, the car reportedly stopped unexpectedly twice within 10 minutes.
The plaintiffs said that on this occasion, they were told to either disable the security features on the vehicle or point the air conditioner at the forward sensing camera. The Mazda class action claims the plaintiffs were not satisfied with this solution and have since refused to drive the vehicle.
Miyares and Vidaillet say that the defect affects Mazda vehicles nationwide, but cars in Florida are especially susceptible because of the state’s hot and humid conditions.
Mazda has been hit with other class action lawsuits over alleged defects in its vehicles. One, claims that traffic alerts advertised as a feature by the car maker were inaccessible due to a software defect. Another alleges that the daytime running lights in the Mazda CX-5 burn out prematurely.
Has your Mazda 3 stopped unexpectedly due to the smart braking defect? Tell us more in the comments below.
The plaintiffs are represented by Ricardo M. Martinez-Cid, Lea P. Bucciero, and Alissa Del Riego of Podhurst Orseck PA.
The Mazda Smart Brakes Class Action Lawsuit is Miyares, et al. v. Mazda Motor Corporation, et al., Case No. 1:19-cv-25271, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
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47 thoughts onMazda Class Action Alleges Smart Brake Defect
I have a 2019 Mazda CX9 and the Smart Brake System Malfunction and Forward Smart City Brake Support Malfunction lights spontaneously active, I am unable to accelerate/maintain speed and the car slows to 20mph and studders to a stop. It has almost caused wrecks on the highway. I have taken into the Mazda dealership three times and they state that they can not locate an issue. I am at a loss as to what to do and this has become a very serious and potentially deadly problem. Texas, 70 degree beautiful weather.
Have had this same exact Smart Brake System Malfunction and SmartCity BrakeSupport Malfunction happen on our 2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature happen at least 7-8 times in the past few months (June 2021 – Sept 2021). 3 times has led to complete loss of acceleration. 2 of those times the car went completely dead after we turned off the car. Had to use portable jumper device to restart the car. I just took it back from the dealer who supposedly fixed various sensor issues (9/16/2021) and these Smart Brake/Smart City malfunctions popped up a few blocks of my house and the car wouldn’t restart. We have been lucky that the 3 cases where car had completely lost power were when we weren’t on highway but have had kids in the car on multiple cases when these sensors go off and our entire family is being put at risk.
I have the same issues.. when is hot.. of course is Aflac.. disable the smart break system.. or slows down suddenly.. the radio changes without touching it.. almost got into 2 accident cause of this brake sustem
I have a 2016 CX5 touring and am having similar issues. Dealer doesn’t know what’s wrong with it. (Or that’s their story) looks like a recall should be in order but good luck with that.
I have a 2018 Mazda CX-5 and experience the same thing. It brakes unexpectedly and almost caused a wreck for my family. Since then there are constant system brake malfunction errors.
I bought a used 2016 mazda 6 GT 2 weeks ago, 33,000! I had the vehicle for two days and my smart city brake malfunction light went off, and my motor sputtered to the side of the interstate. I couldnt get it to crank back up for a few tries.. It was turn on but sound like if you were out of gas. Finally after letting it sit for a while it did crank but the motor sounded horrible and it was shifting hard, once you got up over 45 the noise would kind of go away and it would shift and ride a little smoother! Once you brake though, it will idle hard and seem as if it were about to cut off again. The Mazda dealership here in Memphis is saying they can fix it and it has happened to others in the past. They said alot of re wiring is required. They are working on it now and Im so nervous to get the car back and drive it, its a beautiful car but I will see if this can be fixed. Now that im reading all these comments on it, its scaring me to drive again. Keeping my fingers crossed!
My 2017 Mazda CX-9 Azami was impounded by Mazda in December 2018 (19,800km) due to a major defect in the braking system. Mazda Australia replaced the entire braking system in December 2018, but classified this as goodwill, to avoid any warranty. Now the braking system has failed again after 37,000km, and the underside is extensively corroded. Car has no towbar and has never towed anything. Has never been in an accident, and is garaged each night in locations unaffected by rust. Mazda Australia refuses to even investigate the issue and will not reply to my emails.
I dont believe this issue has anything to do with the heat. I just leased a 2021 cx5 and it says there is a malfunction with the brake support system and front camera. It started braking while I was driving down the road. It is winter and only 30 degrees here. I have had this suv for 2 months and I have already gone to the dealership once because there was an issue with the locking of the doors. They couldn’t find anything wrong and issue was not resolved. It is crazy all the issue I have had with this vehicle and its brand new.
Please add me. My 2018 CX-9 went in perfectly fine for brake service and came out with 3 error lights including the radar light and Mazda wants to charge me $2,500 to repair it.
Since the smart braking and radar are connected I think it has to do with that and not an actual malfunction.
I have a 2018 Mazda CX-9 and my smart break is malfunctioning. My car won’t even turn on. Rear hatch won’t open, engine went out, and the car is locking itself. Having it towed to the dealership tomorrow. Please add me.