Mazda MAZDA6 adaptive cruise problems

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · FL

The vehicle exhibits dangerous electronic malfunctions. A licensed technician (MV-113255) has confirmed a sporadic unintended acceleration defect where the cruise control 'decrease' button causes the vehicle to increase speed. Additionally, the vehicle repeatedly enters 'Limp Mode' in active traffic, causing a violent jerk and a total loss of acceleration while displaying a 'Smart City Brake Support' (SCBS) failure on the dashboard. An independent inspection also documented gross mechanical neglect, including loose battery terminals and a loose transmission bellhousing bolt, which may contribute to these intermittent electrical/safety failures.

Filed May 23, 2024 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · OH

When driving, after a period of 10 - 20 minutes usually, of the adaptive cruise being on (not necessarily in use), the buttons on the steering wheel will re-map. That is, the + button for adjusting the cruise speed up by 1 mph increments will switch with the - button that adjusts the cruise speed down by 1 mph increments. This happens reliably... if I've driven the car with adaptive cruise on for more that 10 - 20 minutes, the buttons will re-map. + slows the car down or doesn't work at all (does nothing). - speeds the car up. Also, rarely, the cancel button will speed the car up. Often the cancel button will not work and the only way to disengage the adaptive cruise is to tap on the brake pedal. Less frequently--maybe about 1/3 - 1/2 of the time, the "off" button, which turns the adaptive cruise off entirely, will not work. Note, that this is not the "engage" or "enable" button. These are the buttons that just turn on and off the adaptive cruise and show that it is now ready to be set if on. I discussed this with the dealer. I believe it is a software problem, they cannot find a software problem as they patched the software in the car up to the latest version. They want to replace the steering wheel where the switches are. This is a $750 repair. (I'm not sure if it's the whole steering wheel or the switch cluster on the wheel.) I cannot afford it and I'm not convinced it will work. I believe they are just guessing at a solution. Nothing to my knowledge has ever spilled on the steering wheel to potentially damage the switchgear. Also, this, to me, does not explain how it always works correctly for the first 10 - 20 minutes of driving, then fails reliably after that. This problem has existed for over two years. Since the car has had about 100,000 miles on it.

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

I’ve had my 2017 Mazda6 for 2 years and first had an issue when the vehicle could not detect the key fob was near. A Mazda dealership at that time could not resolve the issue. Now at times the vehicle won’t start unless i physically hover the key fob over the push to start button. I continued with the purchase and now 2 years in I’ve had so many issues with the infotainment screen acting insane, known as “ghost touching”. When coming to a stop the screen will start clicking around to different screen settings on the monitor. It’s incredibly frustrating and unsafe trying to resolve this issue in the middle of Dallas traffic. Earlier this year I had to make 6 hour trip up north and cruise control caused an issue the entire ride there. When cruise control was turned on the vehicle would start to accelerate on its own. I’m familiar with cruise control and how to use it. No button to increase speed or gas were used to increase the speed at that time, and when I tried to decrease speed from the steering wheel, the button would not work, only working when the break was pressed. Last I checked, cruise control is no longer working in the vehicle. I am terrified to learn of the other issues that could come of the electrical issue I’m having with the car. The electrical issues reported from myself and others need to be a cause for a concern and a recall NEEDS to happen!! I have also noticed the collision avoidance light will turn on and off, I’m not sure if this is related to the above issues but am certain that the key fob light that stays on, never shutting off is related. Please help!!

Filed Aug 3, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 159,185 miles · IN

When I take my foot off the gas it stays at the same speed or it speeds up on its own. When I press on the break sometimes it feels like it's not going to stop and just keep going or it jerks forward when I stop. This happens when I am driving on the road and the cruise control is not on when this happens.

Filed Apr 17, 2019 · Brakes · 65,000 miles · MD

A year ago I took my car for a recall that had to do with the handbrake somehow rusting out where it sits in the rear brake calipers. They inspected the calipers and told me they had to order parts. I never received a call. The next time I went back I asked about it and they said it was fix. After the visit they recommended to replace the rear brake calipers. The vehicle is a manual and is to the point where the hand brake does not work at all. It runs the risk of rolling away if the transmission fails or it comes out of gear. It is clearly stated in the federal safety agency #17v‑393 and I have called mazda corporate who told me it doesn't have to do with the calipers ("your mazda dealer will check the parking brake actuator shafts inside the left and right rear brake calipers."). Mazda reference number [xxx]. Also because of the rust the handbrake is lose so if you use cruise control the handle can accidental pull up enough to ignite the handbrake light and make the car automatically turn off cruise control which is surprising and could cause the driver to crash. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 22, 2019 · Acceleration · 55,200 miles · TN

Intermittently, the cruise control buttons do not perform their proper function. When experiencing the issue, all of the following occur: 1) cancel button functions as the minus (decelerate) button, 2) the minus button functions as the plus (accelerate) button, 3) the plus button doesn't work, and 4) the off button disengages the cruise control but does not shutoff the cruise control main power. This behavior is an issue because with the cancel button acting as the minus button, the cruise control will activate with the cancel button. In addition, having the minus button function as the plus button could cause an accident if the car behaves in the opposite manner as expected. The issue occurs intermittently while driving.

Filed Feb 19, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 65,000 miles · CO

Fow (forward obstruction warning) inspection required flashes on dash as if a loose connection. Only flashes for about 3 seconds then goes away. I manually turned off fow to stop the flashing. But will turn back on once I restart the car. The cruise control off/on switch seems to affect the warning flashes as well. Once the car warms up, things seem normal. During driving this effects the cruise control and system overall. Happens every time I start the car and start driving

Filed Dec 17, 2018 · Acceleration · 65,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mazda 6. While driving 55 MPH, the cruise control engaged and would not turn off. Lester raines mazda (5035 maccorkle ave sw, south charleston, wv 25309, (304) 768-1251) informed the contact to disconnect the negative battery terminal to reset the computer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. *dt consumer stated while driving at 55mph cruise control was engaged but cruise control malfunctioned. Only when the brake pedal depressed did it cancel.

Filed Dec 28, 2017 · Acceleration · 11,000 miles · TX

Intermittently, the cruise control buttons do not perform their proper function. When experiencing the issue, all of the following occur: 1) cancel button functions as the minus (decelerate) button, 2) the minus button functions as the plus (accelerate) button, 3) the plus button doesn't work, and 4) the off button disengages the cruise control but does not shutoff the cruise control main power. This behavior is an issue because with the cancel button acting as the minus button, the cruise control will activate with the cancel button. In addition, having the minus button function as the plus button could cause an accident if the car behaves in the opposite manner as expected. The issue occurs intermittently while driving, and the dealer claims they are unable to recreate the problem on two separate visits. The problem has been occurring for over 18 months. I've found that hitting the edge of the steering wheel hard will clear the problem - generally for the rest of the day, but it returns several times a week. I'm reporting the problem to the federal safety agency because an internet search has shown similar problems have been reported. No one has posted a cause of the problem or resolution. Here is a separate incident similar to mine from a mazada 6 forum: http://forum.mazda6club.com/electrical/350433-cruise-main-off-not-working.html and another, separate incident with video on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ycu3vdfieu&t=90s&list=flb8sh0os-z9o2rc1i0i4zlg&index=1 and my posts on youtube showing how my car responds. The first video is from july 2016. The second is from december 2017. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tr6hg-6tq8&list=flb8sh0os-z9o2rc1i0i4zlg&index=2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ape_lzxacya thank you for your assistance with this systemic and potentially serious defect.

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Acceleration · 68,000 miles · FL

I was driving on the highway with my cruise control set and all of a sudden the cruise control shut off and a warning popped up "mrcc inspection required"