CX-90 (1st)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Engine Reliability Ratings
PY
2.5L 4-cyl / 189 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
H3 Low
3.3L 6-cyl / 280 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Known Issues
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Mild Hybrid
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90
That's roughly 10.0x the typical rate for mild hybrids in this dataset (median 4.5 per year). This generation has materially more battery & propulsion complaints than its peers, even after accounting for sales volume.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 112 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Hybrid system warnings, eCVT, motor-generator, hybrid transaxle.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Charge port, cable, mobile connector, or session failures.
Battery fires, smoke, thermal runaway. Includes any complaint with fire reported.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
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.
Sample complaint excerpts
Hybrid Drivetrain
- [2025] I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV, leased in April 2025. Since early in my lease, the vehicle has had ongoing drivability issues that have worsened over time and now present a serious safety concern.From the beginning, the vehicle exhibited jerking and hesitation while driving. Initially minor, this has become more frequent and now includes stalling behavior during
- [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 has only 20,040 miles. On 3/20/2026 8:30 AM, we contacted the Mazda dealer where vehicle was purcha
- [2025] Early December I was driving and attempting to make a left-hand turn across traffic. I press the gas slowly in preparation to cross traffic. Once a car passed I pressed the gas to get across the traffic lanes before other cars got to me and when I pressed the gas, the car completely stopped moving. I sat there, pushing harder & pumping for what felt like forever, but was probably three to five se
Electric Propulsion
- [2025] The vehicle repeatedly displays warnings including “Acceleration Limited Due to Low Fuel and/or Battery Condition,” Hybrid System Malfunction, and Engine System warnings. These events result in reduced acceleration and loss of power while driving. The condition occurs despite normal fuel levels and routine driving conditions. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership multiple times. Each time,
- [2024] Incident 1: While driving my 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV at low-to-moderate speed, the vehicle suddenly and completely locked up without any driver input. There was no gradual slowing or normal braking behavior. Instead, the vehicle went immediately from moving to an abrupt, forceful stop, as if maximum braking was applied instantly. There were no warning lights, alerts, or audible signals before or dur
- [2024] According to your recall that states: Recall date 2024-01-17 Recall no. 24V022000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 vehicles. An assembly issue with the worm gear in the steering system may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist. Recall consequence Loss of power steering assist while driving increases the risk of a crash. My car is not included in
High-Voltage Battery
- [2025] The vehicle repeatedly displays warnings including “Acceleration Limited Due to Low Fuel and/or Battery Condition,” Hybrid System Malfunction, and Engine System warnings. These events result in reduced acceleration and loss of power while driving. The condition occurs despite normal fuel levels and routine driving conditions. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership multiple times. Each time,
- [2024] I am reporting multiple ongoing safety and reliability issues with my 2024 Mazda CX-90, which have persisted despite multiple service visits and the vehicle being under warranty. Issues include: •Premature tire wear: OEM Falken tires worn to unsafe levels (approximately 3/32”) before 15,000–20,000 miles •Faulty fuel gauge providing inaccurate readings •Intermittent headlight malfunction, creating
- [2024] The car had a recall repair to the steering system done due to it being sticky. But the issue has coma back again while driving on ramps and curvy roads. The steering requires significantly more effort and also has a feel of a ratchet. It also feels like a ratchet, when moving very slow and making tight turns. The car also had a recall battery replacement done for the MHEV battery and now the prob
Charging System
- [2025] I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV, leased in April 2025. Since early in my lease, the vehicle has had ongoing drivability issues that have worsened over time and now present a serious safety concern.From the beginning, the vehicle exhibited jerking and hesitation while driving. Initially minor, this has become more frequent and now includes stalling behavior during
- [2024] While connected to a level 2 charger, overheating caused both the charger and charging port of the vehicle to melt together such that it was very difficult to disconnect, and both were then unusable – needing replacement. (photos attached) We feel that there should be some safeguard in the vehicle to prevent this situation as it is a fire hazard. There were no warning lights, sounds, nor signals f
- [2025] The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV. The contact stated that the hybrid battery failed to charge above 80 percent, and the "Engine Malfunction" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25.
Thermal Events
- [2024] The vehicle caught fire while in operation/driving and later engulfed entie cabin. No warning lamps, in-vehicle alerts, or other warning signs were activated or displayed. Car has not yet been inspected.
- [2024] The vehicle caught fire while in operation/driving and later engulfed entie cabin. No warning lamps, in-vehicle alerts, or other warning signs were activated or displayed. Car has not yet been inspected.
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Vehicle-Level Issues
These issues affect the Mazda CX-90 regardless of engine variant.
Recalls (2)
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.
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.
Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 problems?
The 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 has accumulated 543 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Steering, Safety Systems, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Mazda CX-90 engine is most reliable?
The 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 was offered with 2 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.3L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 a good used car?
The 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 543 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 have?
The 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 has 543 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90?
There are 2 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2024-2026 Mazda CX-90 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Mazda CX-90?
Before buying a used Mazda CX-90, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Steering, Safety Systems, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the CX-90?
The 2026 Mazda CX-90 received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 4 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 543 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.