Mazda class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff James R. Burnell filed a class action lawsuit against Mazda Motor Corp.
- Why: Burnell claims the automaker sold Mazda CX-90 vehicles with defective brakes and lane-keep assist systems.
- Where: The Mazda class action lawsuit was filed in Virginia federal court.
A new class action lawsuit alleges Mazda CX-90 vehicles have defective brakes and lane-keep assist systems that pose safety risks to drivers.
Plaintiff James R. Burnell filed the class action complaint against Mazda Motor Corp. on March 17 in Virginia federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
According to Burnell, Mazda sold and leased model year 2024-2026 CX-90 vehicles with defective braking systems that deteriorate prematurely and excessively, causing loud squealing noises that distract drivers and undermine confidence in the vehicle’s safety systems.
The Mazda class action lawsuit also alleges that the lane-keep assist system in the CX-90 vehicles is overly corrective, steering the vehicle in opposition to the driver’s input, creating safety risks and forcing drivers to disable the feature.
Mazda failed to disclose defects to consumers, class action claims
Burnell says he purchased a new 2024 Mazda CX-90 in Virginia and began experiencing brake squealing and lane-keep assist problems shortly after. He says he took his vehicle to Mazda dealers multiple times, but the issues were never resolved.
He argues Mazda knew or should have known about the defects before selling the vehicles, but failed to disclose them to consumers or provide effective repairs. He says Mazda’s dealers repeatedly assured him that the conditions were “normal” and performed temporary or ineffective repairs.
“Despite this knowledge, Mazda concealed and failed to disclose the Defect to Plaintiff and Class Members at the time of sale or lease and during subsequent warranty service and repairs,” the Mazda class action lawsuit says.
The lawsuit comes after Mazda issued a recall in 2024 for a “sudden and unexpected change in steering effort” in the CX-90 vehicles. Burnell claims the recall did not fix the lane-keep assist defect.
The plaintiff seeks to represent a class of Virginia consumers who purchased or leased affected Mazda CX-90 vehicles in Virginia. Burnell asserts claims under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act and for common law fraud and is seeking damages, restitution and other relief for himself and the proposed class.
A similar class action lawsuit filed last year in California also accuses Mazda of failing to disclose a defect in its CX-90 vehicles that impedes braking performance.
What do you think of the allegations made against Mazda in this class action lawsuit? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Leonard A. Bennett, Mark C. Leffler, Adam W. Short and Drew D. Sarrett of Consumer Litigation Associates P.C.
The Mazda class action lawsuit is Burnell v. Mazda Motor Corp., Case No. 2:26-cv-00256, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
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