A recent legal filing in a California court targets Mazda, alleging that their CX-90 sport utility vehicles suffer from persistent and unresolved brake issues. This class-action lawsuit claims that the automaker's attempts to rectify the problem have been ineffective, leading to a frustrating experience for vehicle owners and lessees. The core of the dispute revolves around the continued presence of loud, high-pitched squealing and noticeable juddering during braking, despite numerous dealer interventions. This situation brings to light broader concerns about the reliability of certain Mazda models and the adequacy of the company's responses to these mechanical faults.

The legal action stems from the experience of Daniel Green, a CX-90 lessee in New York. According to the lawsuit, Green's vehicle began exhibiting a loud, high-pitched squeaking noise from its brakes when it had accumulated less than 1,000 miles. Initial attempts at repair by a dealership involved lubricating the brake pads and hardware. Green was informed that his vehicle was subject to a service bulletin indicating the need for brake component replacement. However, the auditory annoyance persisted, necessitating repeated visits to the dealership. Each repair, which included resurfacing rotors, replacing pads, and even sanding brake pads, offered only temporary relief, if any. Despite these extensive efforts, the problem re-emerged, compelling Green to adjust his driving and braking habits due to the erratic and potentially hazardous performance of the vehicle's braking system.

This ongoing saga of ineffective repairs underscores the central claim of the lawsuit: that Mazda's proposed solutions do not address the fundamental flaw. The legal document asserts that Mazda classifies these issues as normal wear and tear, forcing consumers to incur costs for repairs that ultimately fail to resolve the underlying defect. The lawsuit further highlights that these temporary fixes can be financially burdensome for owners, costing up to $1,500, without providing a lasting resolution. This has left affected customers with vehicles that are perceived as unsafe and difficult to replace.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, draws attention to a wider issue for Mazda. It references a 2024 Mazda Service Alert (NHTSA bulletin SA-016/24), which was intended to diagnose and address "brake noise, judder, and dragging" across a range of Mazda vehicles, not just the CX-90. This bulletin implicates numerous other models, including the Mazda3, Mazda6, CX-3, CX-5, CX-9, CX-30, CX-50, MX-30, and MX-5. Consequently, the outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for a broad spectrum of Mazda owners who may be experiencing similar brake-related issues.

This ongoing legal battle underscores the significant challenges consumers face when recurring vehicle defects remain unaddressed by manufacturers. It calls into question the long-term effectiveness of current repair protocols and highlights the potential for widespread dissatisfaction among owners of several Mazda models. The resolution of this case will undoubtedly set a precedent for how similar automotive defects are handled in the future.