2024 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around a hybrid system that can shut down drive power with little warning, often showing "Hybrid System Malfunction" or electrical-leakage messages, and often within the first few thousand miles. Owners also report steering that sticks or jerks around the center position, and a driver-side mirror that vibrates at highway speed. Many reports describe repeat dealer visits and software updates without a lasting fix.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Hybrid system shutdown and loss of drive power

   • 32 complaints (34%)
   • median 3,960 mi at 0.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe the vehicle suddenly losing power while driving, sometimes at highway speed, with warnings such as "Hybrid System Malfunction, Have the Vehicle Inspected," "Vehicle Failure Detected," or "Electrical Leakage in the Hybrid System." Some say the car would not shift out of park afterward and had to be towed, while others were able to restart after stopping. Complaints describe dealers performing software updates or diagnosing hybrid battery faults, with several owners reporting the warning returned after repair. Often reported in the first few thousand miles of ownership, at a range of speeds and sometimes in cold or wet weather.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has had hybrid system and MAIN relay-related software updates applied, and request any service records for hybrid malfunction or electrical leakage warnings. A short test drive including a cold start and a highway stretch is worth doing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the freeway on the fast lane and the vehicle slowed from 65mph to zero in about 30 seconds and came to a complete stop. It happened so fast I couldn’t change lanes to get to a safe spot. I was left stranded on the fast lane of the freeway with traffic coming right at me. Vehicle displayed a Hybrid system malfunction message.”

   NHTSA complaint #11549583, filed 2023-10

   “On my way to drop kid to school all of a sudden the car gave up power and shuddered with engine malfunction and I-drive malfunction warning. Check engine light came on. This is risky because another vehicle could have smashed into us if on highway or high speed. Research shows that a whole lot of people have this identical issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #11620262, filed 2024-10
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering sticks or jerks, especially returning to center

   • 11 complaints (12%)
   • typically at 2.2 yrs old
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners describe the steering wheel feeling stuck or requiring extra effort during turns, then snapping back or jerking when released, most noticeably on sustained turns and lane changes. Several complaints mention a steering-column or steering-rack recall repair that did not resolve the symptom, with dealers sometimes replacing the rack or applying grease. Some report the condition returning months after a repair. Reported from low mileage up through tens of thousands of miles, typically at highway and ramp speeds.

   What to check: Ask whether the steering-related recall work has been completed and whether the steering rack or column has been replaced. On a test drive, try a sustained sweeping turn on a ramp and check that the wheel returns to center smoothly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When doing a sustained turn at highway speeds of 50+ mph, the steering wheel sticks and does not return to center. I had to forcefully return the wheel to center which caused a jerk in the steering. This happened 10+ times on a recent road trip I took (200 miles). I brought the car to Mazda afterwards and they are replacing the steering rack.”

   NHTSA complaint #11708656, filed 2026-01

   “Mazda issued a recall on the steering column which was done a year ago. The steering wheel continues to stick when turning on an intermittent basis requiring extra force to bring the wheel back to center. It’s been happening for a while and the service dept told me it was the tires. I replaced the tires and it continues to happen. Mainly happens when driving around turns towards the left and driving around 30-50mph. It occasionally happens when changing lanes on the highway.”

   NHTSA complaint #11662689, filed 2025-05
3. 3
   Forward collision avoidance

   Adaptive cruise control braking for vehicles in other lanes

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 0.1 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2025

   Complaints describe adaptive cruise control applying the brakes unexpectedly when passing a truck or when a vehicle in an adjacent lane or a median is detected as being ahead. Owners say the warning display shows the other vehicle as if it were in their lane, and some report hard braking on curves. Several mention they stopped using the feature after close calls from following traffic. Reported mainly at highway speeds on multi-lane roads and curves.

   What to check: Try adaptive cruise control on a multi-lane highway while passing a truck in an adjacent lane and see whether the car brakes. Ask whether any forward-sensing software updates have been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am reporting a safety problem with the adaptive cruise control feature of my 2023 Mazda CX-90. The adaptive cruise control system does not detect the lanes correctly and applies the brakes unnecessarily, even when there are no cars in front of me. This happens especially on curves and when there are trucks on other lanes. This is very dangerous and I have been close to be rear-ended several times. I do not feel safe driving this car with this feature on. I haven't contacted my dealer, but it seems to be a well known issue for many owners. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11557440, filed 2023-11

   “When radar cruise control is on, the car sometimes brakes hard totally unexpectedly when it’s about to overtake to a slower-moving vehicle in the adjacent right lane, and despite the fact that the CX-90 does not have any vehicle directly in front of it in its lane. This happens quite regularly at highway, when I am guetting within 100-200 ft of a semi located on the adjacent right lane, even when the road is at right. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11551122, filed 2023-10
4. 4
   Engine

   Engine and hybrid warnings with rough running or stalling

   • 27 complaints (28%)
   • median 3,960 mi at 0.9 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2023–2025

   Owners describe the engine running rough, shuddering or knocking, sometimes with reduced power, alongside "Engine Malfunction" warnings and an inability to change drive modes. A few reports mention the air conditioning failing to cool at the same time, and others say the vehicle would not restart after a stop. Complaints describe dealers clearing codes, updating software, or replacing cooling components, with mixed results. Reported across the first year of ownership, from a few thousand miles upward, in both warm and cold conditions.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for the full service history and whether engine or hybrid control software updates were completed. Check that the air conditioning cools promptly and that no warning lights remain lit after a cold start.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle engine suddenly loses significant power, the car violently shakes and the engine starts knocking. When attempting to bring the car to a safe location, the vehicles brakes wouldn’t work. Then the car displayed a bunch of errors, like “Engine Malfunction” and “Hybrid System Malfunction”. The car has been in service twice for this issue and they haven’t found a fix. This malfunction has happened twice during our commute with our children in the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11567129, filed 2024-01

   “On April 3rd, around 5:20 PM, while driving with my daughter on a suburban street, my Mazda hybrid experienced sudden brake failure as I approached a stop sign. Attempts to engage the brakes failed, but they unexpectedly resumed, allowing the car to stop safely. This incident triggered multiple dashboard warnings including Engine Malfunction, Hybrid System Malfunction, and i-Activesense System Malfunction. The hybrid battery’s range indicator also fluctuated erratically between 1 and 4 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11584033, filed 2024-04
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Driver-side mirror vibrates at highway speed

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 0.0 yrs old
   • filed 2023–2024

   Owners report the driver-side exterior mirror glass shaking or vibrating at speeds above roughly 50 to 60 mph, blurring the view behind and making it hard to judge distance. Complaints note the passenger-side mirror stays steady, and several say the dealer acknowledged the issue but had no remedy at the time. Noticed at highway speeds, sometimes from the first days of ownership and becoming more noticeable on long trips.

   What to check: During a test drive, take the car onto a highway stretch above 60 mph and watch whether the driver-side mirror image stays steady. Ask whether the mirror assembly has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver-side mirror has a lot of vibration when driving on the highway (60+ MPH). This vibration creates a distraction, and reduces visibility of cars/objects in the mirror. The issue has not been brought to attention to the dealer although seems to be a widely occurring issue amongst these cars.”

   NHTSA complaint #11547905, filed 2023-10

   “Component: Driver side mirror. Issue: When the vehicle is above 50 mph, the mirror vibrates and obscures driver's view, which could lead to death/serious injury. Passenger side mirror is steady. When: The issue happened since first day of vehicle ownership. But it was not reported to dealership until 3 weeks after delivery (i.e.Sep 12, 2023) Dealership Inspection: The dealership acknowledged the issue but nothing couldn't be done to remediate because manufacture doesn't have a solution.”

   NHTSA complaint #11549777, filed 2023-10

Buying note. This model year has a short history but a notable volume of reports about hybrid-system shutdowns and steering behavior, so service records and completed software or recall work matter more than mileage. A thorough test drive covering highway speeds, a sweeping turn and a cold start will surface most of what owners describe.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.