I purchased my 2016 Mazda CX9 in March of 2017 new from the dealership. As of February 2021, it only has 18,853 miles on the vehicle. Recently I noticed a noise coming from the rear brakes. On January 18th, 2021 I took my vehicle to my local brake shop Bay Brakes at 598 Franklin St Monterey, CA 93940 (831)373-2010. They inspected my brakes and told me the rotors and pads were worn out, I thought it odd that the brakes were worn out as I only have 18629 miles on the vehicle. I had the work done that day at a cost of $573.97. Then on January 30, 2021 I saw smoke coming from the rear brakes. I took my vehicle back to the brake shop the following Monday February 1, 2021. They inspected my vehicle again and found the rear calipers were stuck and had damaged the new brake rotors and pads I had just replaced two weeks prior. I asked if this type of failure of the calipers would be covered under my extended warranty. My warranty had expired but because of the low miles and defective part, they told me that it most likely would be. Bay Brakes made a call on my behalf to open a claim with my extended warranty company EasyCare Vehicle Service.

EasyCare sent out adjuster Corey Gilman to inspect my vehicle on February 2, 2021. Upon his inspection he said that Mazda USA has a technical service bulletin 04-001/18 regarding a design flaw and/or defect on the rear calipers and my vehicle fell under this technical bulletin. As a result, they denied my claim and told me that I needed to contact the manufacturer to recoup my money and have the calipers replaced. Additionally, they felt that the caliper flaw and or defect issue had not only caused this smoking brake issue that ruined the brake job that I had just done two weeks before, but also had been the cause of the original brakes to wear out prematurely at 18629 miles. They suggested I contact a Mazda dealership to file a claim. I called Cardinale Mazda in Salinas, CA and was told I needed to contact Mazda USA directly. I was very frustrated by this time and needed my vehicle (it is my only one) and I instructed Bay Brakes to go ahead and fix my vehicle (thinking that I would get reimbursed from Mazda for their faulty part).

On Monday February 8, 2021 I called Mazda USA and spoke to the representative Todd Wages and explained my situation and was told Mazda USA would not be reimbursing me for the work done to my vehicle due to their faulty parts. Their reason was that my vehicle was indeed out of warranty by one year. I reiterated that although my vehicle was out of warranty in years ( barely a year), it was well under the warranty in miles (36,000 miles). They again asserted that they would do nothing for me, even though they had a technical bulletin out and the damage to my vehicle was a direct result of their faulty part.

I was devastated and am now appealing to Mazda USA Corporate to rectify the situation. I am retired and on a fixed income and this has been a big financial burden. I had to spend over $2,000 to fix a problem that was a direct result of your faulty part. If this problem had presented itself within the first three years of me owning the vehicle, it would have been covered and fixed, but because I do not drive much, the problem did not present itself soon enough for the warranty to cover it! Under the circumstances, I feel that Mazda should in good faith refund my expenses for damage done to my vehicle by their faulty part.

Mazda is aware that they have a problem with the brake calipers on these vehicles and has done nothing to notify the customers who own them. I am shocked that Mazda USA has not extended the warranty on the calipers based on the fact they know there is a problem with them. No recall was issued, I was never even notified to have my vehicle inspected by Mazda to make sure my vehicle's brakes were in good working order and safe. I live at the same address as when I purchased the vehicle and I never received word that this could be an issue. I feel that Mazda is being negligent in its communication of its flawed and defective part and the harm they could cause. What if my brakes had failed while driving because of their defective part?

When I purchased this vehicle I thought I was buying a vehicle from a manufacturer that stands behind their product. Based on all the information provided I’m hoping Mazda USA will do the right thing here and reimburse me for these repairs that the flawed and/ defective calipers caused to my vehicle. I have attached both invoices for the brake repair performed on my vehicle dated 1/18/21 in the amount of $573.97 and 2/2/21 in the amount of $1474.89 and the TSB 04-001/18.

Took my Mazda CX9 into dealership for standard service (oil change, rotation, etc). When I picked up my vehicle, my service adviser told me that my rear brake pads needed to be replaced and the rotors needed to be machined. This is very unusual, to me (a driver for 40+ years), as the Mazda has 18K on it, where as in my experience, rear brakes would last 80-100K miles. My CX9 never had any problems, with braking or anything else for the 2+ years I have had it. Called Mazda's Customer Experience Center and they couldn't answer anything, but directed me back to the dealership. Otherwise, overall, I am very happy with it. Just was looking if anyone else had similar issues.