2021 CX-5 GT Multiple Malfunction Errors

Appreciate the help on this matter below and I'll preface by saying I've scoured the internet and tried multiple things at this point and am at a loss of what to do.

I have the following errors that popped up recently on a trip.
- Front Sensing Camera Malfunction
- Smart Brake System Malfunction
- Forward City Brake Support Malfunction

Initially, usually just brake errors lights come up, but sometimes if I keep driving, additional errors and the check engine light will come on and generate the
- brake override malfunction error

I attached the most isolated codes I could get from when the errors come on. Things I've done to try to repair his situation
- Brake switch/stop lamp change. Tried it once, and helped for a day or so and then returned. OEM part. Tried it again, with a secondary component and it also recurred
- Changed 12V battery. Original battery was 3-3.5 years old. Held voltage around 12.3 at rest and was giving battery health of around 40-50% on testers. Changed to an AGM battery from Costco. Errors disappeared for maybe a few drives and then returned
- Checked the brakes. All the brake pads were recently changed (prior to purchase actually) with good wear. Everything sliding well and without issue.

Everything in the car still works great. Ebrake is working well. Brakes without issue. The errors originally came up mid drive and now recurr randomly while driving. I've noticed it come up while just cruising on the high way and also while applying gentle pressure on brakes. Doesn't seem like a reproducible pattern.

Kind of at a loss of what to do now. Would appreciate any insight into how I can try to fix this myself or go into the diagnostics. Short of changing out the battery again, which seems unlikely, not entirely too sure what could be the cause at this point.


CX5 errors.webp
 
If you are still in warranty, I would go straight to the dealer.
Unfortunately out of warranty. 2021 april, so kind of just outside of the 3 year warranty. I think the dealer is next, but I just wanted to knock out the basics before I did so since a lot these errors seemingly are nonspecific.
 
Was there frost on the windshield/windscreen or anything covering the area behind the rear view mirror? Dust and dirt accumulation will do it.
 
Was there frost on the windshield/windscreen or anything covering the area behind the rear view mirror? Dust and dirt accumulation will do it.
There was not. It is pretty dry / warm over here. (Live in PA)
When symptoms occurred, there were a lot of bugs splattered on the radar (long trip), but I have since cleaned it multiple times. Nothing covering the rear view mirror area
 
99% chance that it's the battery
I've changed the battery already to a new one. I tested the resting voltage of the battery and it is 13.3V and goes up to 14.6 when I run the engine. It isn't testing at 100% health but a good 80-85%, which I'm not happy with but it should be able to clear up the errors.
 
Did any of this show up after a car wash, heavy rain or recent windshield replacement?
 
Did any of this show up after a car wash, heavy rain or recent windshield replacement?
It did not. Was dry all around. original windshield. The front view camera area has been cleaned. There doesn't appear to be any cracks around the area or anything.

Also brake fluid levels have been normal. No issues with it being low at any point. Checked it multiple times.
 
Any signs of rodents? Just trying to rule out something hasn’t been chewing on any wiring
 
Any signs of rodents? Just trying to rule out something hasn’t been chewing on any wiring
Not that I can tell. All the cables are intact in the engine bay from what I can tell.
I didn't do like full downstairs inspection, but when I lifted back to check and clean out the rear brakes, there wasn't any abnormal sounds or creepers flying out.

The error's always reset when I shut off the car. It takes like a little bit of driving for the errors to come out.
 
Are you seeing any anomalies with the simply brake light switch off the brake pedal? False Positive activations not on pedal or non-fully functioning on-pedal?

Unexplained cruise control behavior?
 
Are you seeing any anomalies with the simply brake light switch off the brake pedal? False Positive activations not on pedal or non-fully functioning on-pedal?

Unexplained cruise control behavior?
Can't use cruise control once these errors come up. Like it won't let me start the cruise control since it uses the front sensing radar.

No issues with false activations. Nothing seems off in terms of hitting the brake or with the light until the errors come on. Once the error come on, everything still works, just can't engage cruise control. However, if I keep driving it, usually the engine light will come on and then I get brake light errors and other errors. I assume its from the system running into issues trying to engage with these initial issues.

It's reproducible in the sense that it always occurs in this order. And it always resets (well not the check engine light once that comes on). If I clear the codes or unplug the battery, it'll be easily reproduced with time. I can't reproduce the errors on command. That seems to be error, but usually within 5-10 minutes of driving, the error will come on. Then if I keep driving, the check engine light and additional errors will also come up within 15-20 minutes
 
If not battery (which OP replaced), it could be the BCM.
(body control module) It is listed as #3.
BCM is the control center for these non-engine features.
My guess, of course.
 
If not battery (which OP replaced), it could be the BCM.
(body control module) It is listed as #3.
BCM is the control center for these non-engine features.
My guess, of course.
Is that something that can be easily replaced or is that more of a dealer issue?
Anyway to test to isolate the issue?
 
I once drove my car trough some high water, flooded road. I made it out of it fine but the next day I've had some weird errors coming on the dashboard. Luckily for me, everything went away after a day or two. Any chance something similar happened with your car?
 
I once drove my car trough some high water, flooded road. I made it out of it fine but the next day I've had some weird errors coming on the dashboard. Luckily for me, everything went away after a day or two. Any chance something similar happened with your car?


Unlikely although can't rule it out either. Purchased the car in April this past year. There's no documentation that this car was in a flood and has been in PA all of its life. We purchased used from dealership at like 14k on a lease turn in. Drove fine without any issues the first 4 months. Issues came up a month ago and I've been trying all the solutions above, one at a time to see if it can fix the issue.
 
I’d still do some continuity tests with a meter on the stop light switch.. so many ECUs now in vehicles hard to pinpoint down

Looking at ECUs. It is something around braking

Just an opinion but may worth an hour of diagnostic time at dealer to see what they say unless you can find an independent familiar with Mazdas or has a M-MDS
 
I’d still do some continuity tests with a meter on the stop light switch.. so many ECUs now in vehicles hard to pinpoint down

Looking at ECUs. It is something around braking
What is supposed to be the continuity?
It's a 4 pin connector. the middle 2 have continuity, but none of the others do. Not sure what the normal is supposed to do.

I'm testing it on the spare one that I just exchanged off of the car (tried two so far in case one was a dud)
 
I wish Mazda M-MDS was as easy to obtain, install and run like Toyota Techstream for advanced troubleshooting issues like this.

With TS for example you can troubleshoot continuity issues easily within the software for less than $100 for cable and software

I don’t know the hardware costs to use with this

 
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