VehicleVerdict

2025 Mazda CX-90 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 carries two red flags at once: 37 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy). It is one of the CX-90 years to avoid.

Driver Assistance leads the complaint categories with 11 reports (30% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

37

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other CX-90 years?

CX-90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted440 complaints2024: 440 complaints2025: 37 complaints2026: 8 complaints
CX-90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all CX-90 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Mazda CX-90 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1130%
Brakes514%
Other411%
Engine411%
Electrical System38%
Tires & Wheels25%
Speed Control25%
Steering25%
Body & Structure13%
Fuel System13%
Seat Belts13%
Seats13%

Does the 2025 Mazda CX-90 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V568000Electrical SystemSeptember 2, 2025 · 104,854 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEV). The fuel gauge in the instrument cluster may display an inaccurate fuel reading.

Consequence

An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. The manufacturer's number for this recall is 78251. The information in your report suggests that Mazda may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.

24V814000Body & StructureOctober 31, 2024 · 80,915 units

Defect

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 vehicles equipped with a Dash Electrical Supply Unit (ESU). During vehicle startup, the defroster, seat belt warning, 360° view monitor functions, and the PHEV high-voltage battery cooling system may not function properly.

Consequence

An ESU that does not function properly, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the Dash ESU with improved software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 7124J.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ26002

Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 26 complaints and several Early Warning Reporting (EWR) Field Reports alleging intermittent and brief increases in steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) during the drive cycle in model year (MY) 2024 CX-90 vehicles manufactured by Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) subject to Recall 24V2022. In each complaint, the vehicle had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported incident. Recall 24V022 addresses a sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving caused by excessive worm gear friction force. After receiving the recall 24V022 remedy, consumers report sudden increases of steering effort while driving. Sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving may increase the risk of a crash. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of the remedy for Recall 24V022 and to identify the cause(s) of the conditions leading to the post-remedy reports. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“On March 14, 2026, I was attempting to turn left into a parking stall within a busy shopping center lot when my vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpectedly. I lost all control of both the steering and the braking systems. This resulted in my vehicle striking a parked car to my left, jumping a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · March 14, 2026 · crash

“Every time I drive the vehicle, it basically snatches me back into the lane aggressively. If I am moving into the next lane, the lane correction is so aggressively, I am afraid it is going to cause a collision. The brakes squeak and squeal constantly. They have oiled the brakes but it didn't work.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 11, 2025

“On 3/19/2026, the vehicle ignition was turned on. Immediately, we received a variety of warnings, including: "charging system malfunction", "i-ACTIVESENSE Partially Disabled", "Hybrid System Malfunction", "i-stop Malfunction", "Charging System Malfunction", and "Critical Systems Failure". Vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 19, 2026

“On March 14, 2026, I was attempting to turn left into a parking stall within a busy shopping center lot when my vehicle suddenly accelerated unexpectedly. I lost all control of both the steering and the braking systems. This resulted in my vehicle striking a parked car to my left, jumping a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 14, 2026 · crash

“The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-90. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, there was a very strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the battery charge was low. The vehicle was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 1, 2026

2025 Mazda CX-90 — common questions

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 37 complaints put the 2025 model at #2 of 3 CX-90 years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the CX-90 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2025 CX-90 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (11 complaints), brakes (5 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2025 Mazda CX-90 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 Mazda CX-90. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2025 Mazda CX-90 under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Mazda CX-90 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the CX-90 years to avoid are 2024, 2025. The cleanest record among CX-90 years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2025 Mazda CX-90?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 Mazda CX-90 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.