Problems · NHTSA complaints
2025 Mazda CX-90 problems
Owners filed 37 complaints about the 2025 Mazda CX-90 with NHTSA between Nov 2024 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (9).
Complaints
37
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes9
- Engine7
- Forward collision avoidance6
- Electrical system5
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Steering3
- Power train3
- Lane departure3
- Tires2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Back over prevention1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Structure1
- Seat belts1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
5
31
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 31 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Service brakes
9 reports
“My 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV has experienced multiple incidents of sudden, uncommanded hard braking when there was no visible obstacle or danger in front of the vehicle. The most serious incident occurred on September 4, 2026, during rush hour traffic. The vehicle beeped, a warning that said "BRAKE!!" appeared on the dash, and abruptly braked without driver input, creating a significant rear-end collision risk. My dog was thrown from the back seat as a result of the braking. Another unexpected braking incident occurred the following morning when I was backing out of my driveway. Similar unexpected braking behavior has occurred earlier in my ownership of the vehicle as well. I brought the vehicle to a Mazda dealership for diagnosis on September 10, 2026 (their earliest available appointment). They kept and tested the vehicle, but were unable to reproduce the condition or identify a cause. No repair has been made that explains or corrects the unexpected braking. On October 2, the dealership informed me that the vehicle was ready to be picked up and that they considered nothing to be wrong with it. The service manager, Rocky, told my husband that a "critter or shadow"…”
Engine
7 reports
“The vehicle utilizes I-Stop, which comes on when stopping and while traveling down the interstate when the computer isn’t registering throttle input as a way to increase fuel economy. At least a dozen times now, the vehicle has failed to register throttle input, which isn't allowing the vehicle to restart when traveling down the road. The tachometer will remain at zero even with the pedal all the way to the floor. This has even happened while traveling down [XXX] in Northern Virginia placing myself and my family at risk of a collision. We have taken the vehicle in for service and mazda has been unable to replicate the issue or successfully diagnose the problem.”
Forward collision avoidance
6 reports1 crash
“Hybrid battery recall was replaced and failed a month later for a second time burning other systems and causing a compete failure in the car. It failed in a deserted portion of [XXX] while traveling from [XXX] to [XXX] for important business. This left me stranded in the middle of the [XXX] desert late at night in a dangerous area. It failed on the highway loosing complete power with multiple failures reported on dashboard. I was left stranded in the middle of nowhere with no nearby services or immediate assistance and was forced to remain in the vehicle overnight in unsafe conditions. The vehicle required towing, and I was later informed the issue was again the hybrid battery the same component that had already been replaced under recall less than one month prior. This repeated failure creates a serious safety concern because the vehicle can unexpectedly lose power and leave occupants stranded without warning, even in remote or unsafe locations. In addition it lost power on the highway and that posses a significant safety concern. The vehicle is unreliable given its age and repeated failures, and I am requesting investigation into a potential safety defect…”
Electrical system
5 reports2 related recalls
“2025 backup camera not working with 8,500 miles on the car. This is a safety hazard and so far neither Mazda of Everett who broke it will not fix it unless I pay just about 1,300. They claim I have to talk to Mazda to see if they will warranty the part even though I have a 4 year 48,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty. There is no damage to the car what so ever and it has been inspected by the dealer since new with a 190 point inspection at 3,700 miles and never a problem with the camera. EITHER THE BACKUP CAMERA IS A BAD DESIGN THAT DOES NOT ACCEPT NORMAL USAGE OR THE DEALER DOES NOT TAKE SAFTEY FEATURES SERIOUSLY and broke it when washing the car.”
Fuel/propulsion system
4 reports
“I stopped for gas and when I removed the gas cap air came of out of the filler pipe like it was under high pressure. I could not fuel the vehicle because of the force of the air coming out of the tank blew gas out and shut off the pump. I started and shut off the car numerous times without the gas cap on and with it on which did nothing to affect the issue. It finally stopped after turning off all fans, radio and all accessories in the car and starting it without gas cap. The symptom lasted for more than 25 minutes. When I took my vehicle in for service they told me it was due to temperature change. I have not experienced anything like this with any other vehicle.”
Steering
3 reports
“The steering seems to be malfunctioning and is hesitant or sticking when operating the vehicle. The steering wheel seems to hesitate or stick only during left hand turns, even slight ones. If you do not manually pull the steering wheel back after turning, it will stay in the position and not return as it should. This issue posses a severe safety risk to my family and others if the steering component does not perform properly. An accident could easily occur as a result of this issue. The issue has not been confirmed by an authorized dealer yet. I am taking the vehicle to a Mazda dealership in the next week or so. No warning lamps or messages occur prior to or during the issue. This issue was first noticed 9/21/26.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.