Mazda CX-90 years to avoid

How we rated the best and worst Mazda CX-90 years

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 has the most overall complaints, and CarComplaints also rates the 2024 as the worst model year ranked on factors such as repair cost and average mileage when problems occur. That is the headline: the CX-90's first model year is the one to avoid, while the 2025 and 2026 iterations show marked improvements.

Ratings were drawn from CarComplaints (PainRank, which weights repair cost and mileage-at-failure), NHTSA complaint and recall data, Consumer Reports owner surveys, KBB consumer reviews, owner threads at the CX-90 Forum, and IIHS safety ratings. CarComplaints ranks a "worst year" by repair cost and mileage-at-failure (its PainRank system), while NHTSA shows raw complaint volume. For the CX-90, those two measures point to the same year: 2024. That agreement strengthens the case for avoiding the launch year. Our years to avoid methodology combines these independent data sources rather than relying on any single ranking system, which reduces the risk of a fluke result skewing the verdict.

Every Mazda CX-90 model year ranked

The CX-90 is a new nameplate that launched for the 2024 model year, so there are only three model years to assess. The 2024 stands alone as the year to avoid; the 2025 and 2026 are the stronger picks.

Most common Mazda CX-90 problems

The single biggest issue across all CX-90 model years is the steering gear failure, which triggered a safety recall affecting roughly 43,000 vehicles and later drew an ongoing NHTSA investigation after the original fix proved inadequate. Beyond steering, the CX-90's first model year also produced brake complaints, electrical and software faults, a PHEV inverter/loss-of-drive defect, and transmission roughness.

1. Steering gear failure ("sticky steering")

While driving, the customer may feel a sudden increase of effort when steering the vehicle. A worm gear in the steering gear assembly transmits the power assist generated by the power steering motor, and the worm gear friction force may be excessive, resulting in increased force required to turn the steering wheel. Sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving may increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign ID 24V-022 covers the 2024 Mazda CX-90, with manufacturer recall number 6524A. Approximately 43,752 2024 model-year CX-90 vehicles are affected in the U.S. Dealers replace the spring engaging the worm gear and reapply grease to the gear teeth, free of charge, with owner notification letters mailed March 6, 2024.

The problem did not fully end with that first fix. NHTSA later opened an investigation after receiving at least 26 reports from owners who experienced the same sticky-steering issue even after the recall repair was performed, and this ongoing investigation has been linked to at least two crashes. A whining noise when accelerating or a heavy, resistant steering feel at parking speeds is the early symptom to check. Buyer takeaway: confirm that 24V-022 has been completed on any 2024 CX-90 you consider, and test-drive the car specifically for steering resistance before signing.

2. Brake noise and premature brake wear

The most-reported problem on CarComplaints for the 2024 Mazda CX-90 is brakes squeaking when braking under 10 mph. One class-action lawsuit alleges the CX-90 suffers from premature brake deterioration resulting in constant squealing under normal driving conditions, and what began as a minor irritation developed into a recurring issue.

Owners at KBB describe a loud, high-pitched squealing noise at very low speeds, requiring multiple visits to a Mazda dealership, with the issue remaining unresolved and dealers acknowledging it as a "known issue" for which the corporate office is "working on a fix" - more than a year after purchase.

A squeaky brake pedal at slow speeds is not always a safety emergency, but when it persists and dealers cannot resolve it, it points to a pad or rotor compound mismatch. A 2026 class-action lawsuit filed in Virginia alleges persistent brake noise and erratic Lane-Keep Assist behavior, with claims that the issues could affect 2024 to 2026 model-year CX-90 SUVs. No flat repair-cost figure has been publicly confirmed for this issue because the fix itself has not been finalized.

3. PHEV inverter failure and loss of drive power

The headline-grabbing problem on early CX-90 PHEVs was a scenario where the vehicle's failsafe logic could shut down both the engine and electric motor, meaning the car could lose drive power with little or no warning. Mazda recalled certain 2024 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles because improper inverter software may cause the malfunction indicator lights to illuminate and a loss of drive power may occur while in electric vehicle (EV) mode.

The pros and cons of hybrid cars include software complexity that can produce this kind of fail-safe behavior, and the CX-90 PHEV's early software was not yet mature. A series of software recalls covering 2024-2025 CX-90 and 2025 CX-70 vehicles were issued for software issues causing safety concerns, with Mazda dealerships performing free software updates as the fix. Buyer takeaway: if you're considering a PHEV trim, confirm all open software recalls are closed by VIN before purchase.

4. Electrical system and software faults

The 2024 model's most commonly reported NHTSA problem categories include steering (77 complaints), electrical system (39 complaints), and forward collision avoidance (27 complaints). Owners on the CX-90 Forum described a range of electrical faults including check-engine malfunctions, dynamic stability control warnings, a fuel gauge dropping to zero at a quarter tank, and a radio that randomly stops working.

Three separate software-related recalls were issued for the CX-90 under NHTSA campaign numbers 24V-814, 24V-815, and 24V-816. Most of these have free dealer software-update remedies, so the out-of-pocket cost is low if the recall is still open. Confirm all three campaigns are closed on any 2024 you inspect.

5. Erratic Lane-Keep Assist and forward collision avoidance

Alongside the braking concerns, a class-action lawsuit places significant focus on the CX-90's Lane-Keep Assist system, alleging that it can deliver overly forceful steering inputs that conflict with the driver's intended direction, rather than subtly guiding the vehicle within its lane.

On certain CX-90 vehicles, the brakes may activate suddenly due to false detection of certain objects during low-speed driving; the automatic braking system may falsely detect a vehicle's reflection as an approaching object (such as a diagonal metal wall) due to improper programming of the Vehicle Control Module (VCM), causing unintentional sudden braking that may increase the risk of a rear-end accident. This issue was addressed in recall 24V-349 via a free VCM software reprogram. Buyer takeaway: test the Lane-Keep Assist on a highway on-ramp during a pre-purchase test drive to verify it is not fighting the steering wheel.

6. Dual wet-clutch transmission roughness

The top complaint about the CX-90's transmission on the owner forum is roughness, particularly in the low gears. This is a design decision: to achieve near-50/50 front-to-rear weight distribution, Mazda engineers chose a dual wet-clutch transmission instead of the more common torque converter, which is inherently smoother but bulkier and less fuel-efficient.

Owners on the CX-90 Forum note that Mazda rushed the CX-90 to market, and the 2024 had many more rough edges than most Mazda owners are used to. The roughness is most noticeable during slow, creeping maneuvers and when pulling into traffic from a stop. Consumer Reports owner survey respondents describe an engine that "hesitates upon accelerating from a dead stop and when pulling into traffic," and the 2025 CX-90 is rated as less reliable than other cars from the same model year. Software updates have partially addressed the hesitation, but this is a characteristic to test carefully on any 2024 or early 2025 example.

Which Mazda CX-90 years should you avoid?

The Mazda CX-90 years to avoid are 2024. CarComplaints rates the 2024 as the worst model year, scored on repair cost and average mileage when problems occur. NHTSA complaint volume is also highest on 2024, with 259 owner complaints on file, including 12 crash-related complaints - the same year, the same verdict, from two independent measuring systems.

Worst Mazda CX-90 years: 2024

1st-generation Mazda CX-90 (2024-2026)

The 2024 model year reports significant issues, particularly with steering, electrical systems, and forward collision avoidance, leading to a reliability score of 9/100 (from Auto Reliability Index, sourcing NHTSA data) and 11 recalls. The steering gear recall (24V-022) alone covered nearly the entire first-year production run of about 43,752 vehicles, and a subsequent NHTSA investigation found the original repair did not fully solve the problem for all owners.

In contrast, the 2025 and 2026 models demonstrate marked improvements, with the 2026 model achieving zero recalls and zero complaints on file, suggesting enhanced dependability in later years. If your budget lands on a 2024, at minimum confirm the steering recall, the three software recalls (24V-814, 24V-815, 24V-816), and the false-braking recall (24V-349) have all been completed on your specific VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup.

What are the best Mazda CX-90 years to buy?

The best Mazda CX-90 years to buy are 2025 and 2026. Both carry significantly lower complaint counts than the 2024, and the 2026 is the cleanest data profile available.

Most reliable Mazda CX-90 years: 2025, 2026

2026 Mazda CX-90

The 2026 Mazda CX-90 has good reliability according to Auto Reliability Index, with zero recalls and zero owner complaints on file. Among midsize SUVs, the 2026 CX-90 scores well across safety and reliability, with NHTSA's 5-star rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation. This is the pick if you want to minimize exposure to the early-generation growing pains entirely.

2025 Mazda CX-90

The 2025 Mazda CX-90 has good reliability according to Auto Reliability Index, with 2 recalls and 21 owner complaints on file. Owners on the CX-90 Forum note that waiting for the 2025 model helped avoid the worst of the 2024's growing pains. Consumer Reports flags engine major and drive system as trouble spots on the PHEV trim in particular, so if you're buying a 2025 PHEV, confirm the inverter software recalls are closed and test for transmission smoothness during the drive.

Mazda CX-90 pre-purchase checklist

Before signing on any used or nearly-new CX-90, run through these model-specific checks:

• Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker. Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and verify every recall campaign is closed. For any 2024, confirm recall 24V-022 (steering), 24V-349 (false braking), and 24V-814/815/816 (software) are all completed.
• Test-drive the steering at parking-lot speeds. On any 2024 example, check for sudden resistance or a "sticky" feeling when turning. NHTSA received 26 reports from owners who experienced the sticky-steering issue even after the recall repair was performed. If you feel it, walk away.
• Check for brake squeal under 10 mph. The most-reported problem on CarComplaints for the 2024 CX-90 is brakes squeaking when braking under 10 mph. This is a known unresolved issue; ask the dealer specifically whether Mazda has issued a fix.
• On PHEV trims, confirm the inverter software recall is closed. Early CX-90 PHEVs could lose drive power with little or no warning due to a failsafe logic fault. A software update addresses this, but only if the recall has been applied to that VIN.
• Inspect for transmission fluid leaking when parked. The dual wet-clutch unit on the CX-90 uses fluid-cooled clutch packs; any pooling under the car is worth investigating before purchase.
• Ask for full service records. The 2024 had multiple software updates pushed through dealer service visits; a car with no service history may be missing one or more critical flashes.
• Verify the Lane-Keep Assist on a highway on-ramp. Owners allege the system can deliver overly forceful steering inputs that conflict with the driver's intended direction; you want to feel it working correctly before you own the car.

Better alternatives to consider

If the CX-90 years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:

• Mazda CX-5 - a smaller two-row sibling with a much longer production run and a clearer year-by-year reliability record, with strong reliability scores across multiple generations
• Mazda CX-30 - the compact crossover option within the same Mazda family, with fewer recalls per model year and a lower price of entry
• Toyota Grand Highlander - a direct three-row rival with Toyota's established reliability record, worth comparing if the CX-90's first-year recall history gives you pause
• Honda Pilot - another same-class three-row SUV with a longer production history and a deeper pool of reliability data across model years