Common problems
Mazda CX-90 Common Problems
We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 3 Mazda CX-90 model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.
Data updated April 2026
- Owner complaints
- 280
- Top recurring issue
- Steering
- Crash reports
- 13
- Fire reports
- 0
3 model years
2 affected years
Owner-reported severity signal
9 injuries · 0 deaths
Pattern overview
Most reported Mazda CX-90 problem categories
Steering
80complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.
Electrical System
44complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.
Unknown Or Other
22complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.
Engine
17complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.
Forward Collision Avoidance
27complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2024.
Power Train
21complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2024.
Service Brakes
2complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2025.
Vehicle Speed Control
2complaints representedAppears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2025.
What owners reported
Issue summaries by Mazda CX-90 model year
STEERING
Owners report that the 2024 Mazda CX-90 frequently experiences steering issues, with many describing a "sticky" steering wheel that becomes stiff or requires additional effort to turn, particularly during highway speeds or long turns. Complaints often mention that the steering wheel does not return to center smoothly, causing drivers to overcorrect and leading to unsafe vehicle movements. These issues appear to manifest both at low speeds and on highways, with some reports indicating they began after approximately 5,000 miles or persisted even after recall repairs. Safety concerns are highlighted by five incidents involving crashes and three reports of injuries, underscoring potential risks associated with this steering problem. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these recurring issues and the associated safety implications.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several recurring electrical issues with the 2024 Mazda CX-90, notably with the hybrid system and infotainment. Complaints frequently mention hybrid malfunctions that lead to the vehicle becoming inoperable, often requiring towing, and sometimes accompanied by a strong odor inside the cabin. Infotainment system failures are common, with systems rebooting unexpectedly or failing entirely, causing distractions while driving. Some owners experience problems with the fuel gauge and range indicator, which inaccurately reflect fuel levels, potentially leading to unexpected stalls. A crash is reported due to a possible door sensor malfunction, highlighting safety implications. These issues appear across various mileages and timelines, with some occurring shortly after purchase.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 frequently report issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance system, particularly when using adaptive cruise control. Complaints often describe the system incorrectly detecting vehicles in adjacent lanes as being in the same lane, leading to unnecessary and sudden braking. This issue is commonly noted during highway driving, especially on curves, and can result in near rear-end collisions. Some owners report these problems occurring from the onset of ownership, with mileage as low as 1,500 miles. Safety implications are significant, as unexpected braking at high speeds poses a risk of being rear-ended. Additionally, there are reports of the system failing to slow the vehicle appropriately when cruise control is engaged, requiring manual intervention. These patterns suggest potential safety concerns for prospective buyers considering this model.
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2024 Mazda CX-90 frequently report issues with the powertrain, particularly involving hybrid system malfunctions and sudden loss of power. Symptoms include unexpected deceleration, inability to accelerate, and the vehicle becoming immobile, often accompanied by warning lights such as "Hybrid Malfunction" and "Engine Malfunction". These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 3,200 miles. Safety implications are notable, with two crashes reported, including one involving injuries, and multiple instances where vehicles stalled in traffic, posing a risk of collision. Buyers should be aware of these recurring problems, especially concerning the hybrid system and its impact on vehicle control.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
ENGINE
Owners report that the 2024 Mazda CX-90 frequently experiences engine malfunction warnings and issues with the cooling system, including coolant leaks and engine overheating. Complaints often mention symptoms such as loss of engine power, hesitation during acceleration, and unexpected transitions between hybrid and gas modes. These issues typically appear at low mileages, with some reports occurring as early as 2,000 to 5,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with several owners describing incidents of sudden power loss on highways, raising concerns about potential risks while driving. Buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and consider the potential for unresolved problems even after recall-related services.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report frequent issues with the 2024 Mazda CX-90's adaptive cruise control, particularly when driving near large trucks or on curved roads. Complaints commonly describe the vehicle braking suddenly and unexpectedly, often when passing or approaching trucks, leading to potential rear-end collision risks. Additionally, several owners mention incidents where the vehicle accelerates or decelerates without driver input, with some reports noting these events at highway speeds, around 5,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with multiple accounts of near-misses and concerns about being rear-ended. These patterns suggest potential challenges for buyers considering this model, especially those who frequently use cruise control features.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report frequent issues with the driver-side mirror on the 2024 Mazda CX-90, specifically noting severe vibration at speeds typically over 40 mph. This vibration causes blurred vision in the mirror, making it difficult to accurately judge the distance and type of vehicles behind, particularly during highway driving. Complaints indicate that this problem is acknowledged by dealerships and seems to be a known issue by Mazda, yet no definitive fix is currently available. The passenger-side mirror is generally unaffected, and the issue is often observed from the first days of vehicle ownership. The safety implications include potential difficulty in lane changes and assessing traffic, which could lead to hazardous driving conditions.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2025 Mazda CX-90 frequently report issues with the hybrid system, specifically mentioning electrical leakage and hybrid system malfunctions. Common symptoms include the vehicle becoming disabled, being unable to shift out of park, and receiving critical error messages such as "Hybrid system electrical leakage detected" and "Engine Malfunction." These issues often occur shortly after purchase, with some vehicles experiencing problems within the first few miles or days. Safety implications are noted, with concerns about the vehicle potentially entering limp mode while driving. Multiple owners indicate that the problem persists even after attempted repairs, and there is mention of parts being on backorder.
Pre-purchase inspection
What to check on a used Mazda CX-90
When problems are reported to begin
- Hybrid system malfunctions — 0–1,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Brake squeaking — 1,000–2,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
- Steering issues — 5,000–10,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
- Hybrid system malfunctions — 1,200–5,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
Buyer red flags
- Test hybrid system for error messages and electrical leakage warnings
- Check for brake squeaking noise during test drive
- Inspect steering for stickiness or binding during turns
- Verify forward collision avoidance system functionality
- Test vehicle speed control on inclines and during turns
- Check tire tread wear for premature wear patterns
- Inspect steering for stickiness or resistance during turns
- Test hybrid system for error messages or malfunctions
How to interpret the counts
Complaint totals are not failure rates
A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.
Source trail
Where this Mazda CX-90 data comes from
VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Mazda CX-90 research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.
Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.
Buyer questions
Mazda CX-90 research FAQ
What is the most common Mazda CX-90 problem?
Steering is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 2 years with 80 complaints represented.
Which Mazda CX-90 year has the most reported problems?
The 2024 has the largest steering count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.
Do NHTSA complaints prove a Mazda CX-90 has a defect?
No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.
Check the actual car
Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.
Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Mazda CX-90 you are considering.
