Brakes failed in the snow after hours of driving in storm -- not tires

[cjecpa]

My first reaction to dealer news was this: I'm selling the CX-5 for a Subaru

Can have problems with any car.

344,000 Minivans Recalled by Honda for Brake Problem http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/a...vans-recalled-by-honda-for-brake-problem.html

Mazda CX-9 Investigated for Brake-Fluid Leak http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/201...r-tie-rod-problem/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Subaru Brake Problems http://www.ehow.com/about_5585044_subaru-brake-problems.html

Subaru recalls 200,000 cars for braking issue http://www.nbcnews.com/business/subaru-recalls-200-000-cars-braking-issue-1C9176258


I might take it to another dealer if there is one around to get it check out again kind of a second opinion to either ease your concern or to find what caused the problem in the first place. Also I agree with brandini at least have the calipers lubricated, lines checked and fluid flushed.

 

[gova]

I have found this winter that my brakes don't work that great in -10F.

I could actually feel slowness and resistance when I pressed the brakes.

Now, in your case if slush/water was involved it must have frozen the calipers. Just a speculation of course.

 

[brandini]

Also remember most brake compounds, even with ZERO moisture just plain stink at subfreezing temperatures. Heck I had Porterfield R4-S on my miata and on cold days I'd pre-brake to get heat in them. Made that routine after having a panic stop from 25 one block from home take WAY too long for comfort and looking an F350 that ran a stop sign in the headlight will make you remember things like that.

 

[markuszoom5]

There is no way that ice can freeze in a hot caliper like that especially after stop and go. Heat the s*** up out of the brakes with downhill driving or stop and go and see if it happens. If not then it's debris that got stuck. Otherwise it should fail...

 

[Bladecutter]

Yesterday, after driving freeway and stop-and-go through storm in which 5 inches of snow fell, I was 1/2 mile from home, going about 30 mph when I started to brake for a light and the foot peddle violently shook and didn't want to compress, slowing my car but not stopping it and pushing me to the right. If the car in front of me hadn't of turned, I would have hit it. I rolled into a grocery parking lot and depressed the breaks. Same thing. I thought, maybe, ice had built up so I drove forward not more than three feet and hit the breaks..Same thing...car pulled to the right. Problems seemed to be coming from front left brake. Grinding noise. Violent peddle push. I repeated this stop and go three more times with no change in braking ability. No one was out in this snow, so I managed to limp home by just rolling to stop.

Did you get out of your car and look to see how much snow/ice was built up behind the tires during your drive?
I have noticed that my CX-5 builds up a lot of ice and snow between the tire and the wheel well, and it can make turning the tire difficult if enough has built up.
A long drive during a heavy storm might do just that.

Then that would cause your abs to fight for traction with a tire completely surrounded by ice.

But, by all means, if you think a Subaru would be better, and you are having nightmares, you should get the car that will make you sleep easier at night.
I'm sure the person who picks up your CX-5 will enjoy it as much as you will enjoy the new Subaru.

BC.