Mazda class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Four plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit against Mazda Motor of America Inc., which does business as Mazda North American Operations.
- Why: Certain Mazda infotainment systems allegedly have a defect causing them to malfunction, posing a distraction to drivers.
- Where: The Mazda class action lawsuit was filed in Kentucky federal court.
A new class action lawsuit claims that certain Mazda infotainment systems malfunction and can cause drivers to become distracted.
Plaintiffs Catherine Duffy, Matthew Edlin, Lawrence Mulcahy and Paula Hall filed the Mazda class action lawsuit June 28 in Kentucky federal court on behalf of current and former owners and lessees of certain Mazda vehicles.
They claim the following vehicles are equipped with a defective Mazda infotainment system:
- 2016-2022 Mazda2
- 2014-2018 Mazda3
- 2016-2021 Mazda6
- 2016-2021 CX-3
- 2016-2020 CX-5
- 2016-2020 CX-9
- 2016-2023 MX-5
The class vehicles are reportedly equipped with a Mazda Connect infotainment system, a multimedia and video interface, located in their center consoles. The system includes a number of features, including a visual for the backup camera, radio and audio controls, the navigation system and cell phone connectivity.
Mazda touts the Connect infotainment system as a way to “stay connected without taking your hands off the wheel.” The automaker claims the system provides “seamless connectivity between your car and your smart phone,” according to the lawsuit.
However, the plaintiffs say the Mazda infotainment system is plagued by glitches that cause it to reboot, freeze, become non-responsive or otherwise malfunction. The alleged Mazda infotainment defect can even cause safety-related systems, such as the backup camera, to malfunction.
Mazda class action says automaker concealed defect from consumers
Each of the plaintiffs says their Mazda infotainment systems were affected by cycles of rebooting and freezing every few minutes while driving. They say they may not have purchased their Mazda vehicles, or would not have paid as much for them, had they known about the distracting Mazda infotainment system defect.
The automaker has long known about the Mazda infotainment defect based on warranty and repair records, pre-release testing and complaints collected by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and posted on consumer message boards, the plaintiffs claim. Despite this knowledge, Mazda has never adequately remedied the defect and has instead chosen to conceal it, the lawsuit alleges.
The Mazda class action asserts claims for breach of express warranty, breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, violation of California’s Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Unfair Competition Law, the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act, fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment.
Mazda recently reached a class action settlement over an alleged valve stem defect. Eligible class members have until Oct. 19, 2024, to submit a claim.
Do you have a vehicle affected by the alleged Mazda infotainment system defect? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
The plaintiffs are represented by Randall S. Strause of Strause Law Group, Benjamin F. Johns and Samantha E. Holbrook of Shub & Johns LLC, Andrew W. Ferich and Robert Ahdoot of Ahdoot & Wolfson PC, Keith T. Vernon and Andrew w. Knox of Timoney Knox LLP, and Troy M. Frederick and Beth A. Frederick of Frederick Law Group PLLC.
The Mazda infotainment class action lawsuit is Catherine Duffy, et al. v. Mazda Motor of America Inc. d/b/a Mazda North American Operations, Case No. 3:24-cv-00388-BJB, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.
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86 thoughts onMazda class action claims some vehicles have defective infotainment systems
I had a similar center display problem with my 2017 Toyota Yaris iA, built by Mazda in Mexico 11/2016. After a couple years of functioning OK, it went to constantly rebooting with no information displayed. Is there anyway to connect this similar (or same) problem to this lawsuit?
Took my 2018 Mazda CX 5 to the dealership in 2021 explaining to them that the infotainment screen would change from the radio to the maps screen to audio adjustment screen on its own . They just told me that I needed an update. Lo and behold after the update it would still change on its own. I asked them if anyone has ever complained about the screen doing that and they said no.
Yes this happens everytime I stops near other cars. When I googled it, it said it’s something about a ghost. I reset the stereo just like they said.And it continued to happen.
Took my 2018 Mazda CX5 to a local dealer and the only thing they would do is up date the software. They told me
that the delaminated screen was not covered by the recall.
2018 CX9, low mileage. Info system freezes and reboots frequently. It will not let me navigate address while this is happening. Extremely frustrating being in a new large city and cannot use. Have to pull over and turn off engine once or twice to get it to restart or use cell phone navigation which is unsafe since I have to hold it.
The sensors are also malfunctioning. I’ve had enough!
Does this extend to the issue with the monitors cracking in heat? Not even high heat – sheltered in the garage. I’ve seen as many reports of this as the issue with the system constantly resetting which is dangerous because it does not allow you to use hands free.
Please let’s resolve it.
I need to replace mine…will I get this done for free
It works when it wants to it’s scarring my wife daily. Im tired of dealing with it, im trying to run a business but I keep getting interrupted.
My 20q6 cx5 has the ghost touch issue as well. Constantly changing settings and it a safety distraction. This is my 6th Mazda and it amazes me that Mazda will not address this dangerous and widespread issue.
I have a low-mileage 2016 CX5 with the the ghost touch issue. It had been happening only occasionally, but in the past few weeks now ghost touches nearly every time the car is stopped at a light, stop sign, or stopping in traffic. It generally goes to the settings page and often changes the display settings.
I have a 2020 Mazda CX5 and it has the Ghost touch issue. It can be a serious safety issue when it starts to change settings for the car!
I spoke to the dealership and they said that it’s not covered under warranty and it would cost $800dollars to fix it. I’m concerned about selling the car with this defect.
I have two friends who also own Mazda CX5s and they said they have the same issue.
I have a 2020 CX 5 and the touch screen doesn’t work and 50% of the time my screen takes over and does whatever it wants. I’m afraid to take it in and have a charge to fix it!
My cx9 2017 touch screen have heat cracks in it due high summer heat. It will cost to much to repair. This should be on a recall.