The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
The risk
Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Mazda Mazda3 | 2019, 2020 |
Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda Mazda3 | 2019 | 74 | 6 |
| Mazda Mazda3 | 2020 | 32 | 2 |
Other forward collision avoidance recalls in 2019
4 of the 880 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2019 concerned the forward collision avoidance; Mazda North American Operations filed 95 campaigns in all.
| 19V539000 19 Jul 2019 | Kia Motors America |
| 19V540000 19 Jul 2019 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 19V148000 1 Mar 2019 | Chrysler (FCA US LLC) |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2019