2025 Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid Owner Complaints

It feels like the steering is pulling me off the road sometimes. It takes a lot of effort to recorrect the steering

NHTSA ID

11714609

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

Steering became Notchy and in left turns only steering wheel would bind or stick when exiting a turn at a speed between 30 to 50 mph. Problem became significantly worse over course of a few days.

NHTSA ID

11704962

Incident

Nov 13, 2025

On or about [XXX], I leased a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport from Bob Penkhus Mazda, Colorado Springs, CO. Within approximately six weeks, on [XXX], while traveling south on [XXX] from Pueblo toward Walsenburg, the vehicle experienced severe loss of power under load. Despite the accelerator being fully depressed, the vehicle would not exceed 74 mph on the initial incline and later would not accelerate past 64 mph near La Veta Pass, even in sport mode. During an attempt to pass a slow-moving truck, the vehicle failed to accelerate, forcing me to brake hard to avoid a head-on collision. My fiancée and our infant twins were in the vehicle at the time. I immediately contacted Service Manager Steven Constable at Bob Penkhus Mazda. The dealership retained the vehicle for inspection but claimed they “could not duplicate” the issue because “they don’t have mountains to drive it up.” No repairs were made. Instead, I was told to “drive it for 30 days to monitor,” despite the documented safety risk. I refused to assume that risk and requested a repurchase, replacement, or trade into a non-PHEV model. I even offered to accept a lower-trim base model, provided it had captain’s chairs, and to continue paying my current monthly amount. The dealership and General Manager A.J. Ager rejected this and demanded that I personally pick up the unrepaired vehicle, although they knew I live three hours away in Monte Vista and Mazda advertises complimentary pickup service. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11693174

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the vehicle shifts from first to second gear under medium to aggressive throttle is considered normal operation. It has been determined that this does not affect the drivability or reliability of the vehicle, and it is safe to drive. The transmission is operating as designed and performing within normal parameters. Mazda is continuing to collect data on this condition as part of their ongoing commitment to improvement. However, I totally disagreed to their answer and that the truth is that they don't know how to fix it, unless tearing down completely the transmission to find out what the cause is! I feel it is a safety problem as explained by a top transmission repair shop: "In most cases, a loud, grunting or grinding noise when accelerating from 1st to 2nd gear would likely be considered a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use and could also affect safety, particularly under the context of Oregon's Lemon Law. Here's why: •Impact on Use: Grinding and grunting noises suggest that the transmission is not functioning properly, according to Top Notch Transmissions. This makes the vehicle less reliable and less enjoyable to drive. If the problem persists or worsens, it can hinder the vehicle's ability to operate safely and effectively, potentially leading to hard or delayed shifting, or even transmission failure."

NHTSA ID

11690803

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

Near a roundabout the car in front of me started moving and braked. My car didn’t give any forward collision warning or proximity alert before my car hit the other car from back. The speed was less than 12 mph.

NHTSA ID

11688748

Incident

Sep 16, 2025

The Mazda CX90 PHEVs i-activesense system that controls the adaptive cruise, lane departure and lane keep assist system disables at random times with a message "i-activesense temporarily disabled. front radar obstructed." There is never any objects obstructing the radars and no outside weather/elements affecting it. It will not turn back on either, even though it should turn back on if the obstruction is cleared from the radars/sensors. Since there isnt anything to clear when it happens, it stays disabled unless the vehicle is turned off completely and back on. I have had this vehicle for 2 weeks and it has disabled on the interstate traveling 70+ mph and on city roads in congested traffic over 15 times. When it happens with the cruise control enabled, it immediately begins decelerating quickly, causing a safety issue when on the interstate at high speeds. Was brought back to service 24 hours after acquiring the vehicle but Mazda cannot seem to figure out what is wrong with it. Its a huge safety issue when it all disables and the car quickly decelerates without any warning. Has happened on multiple dates, at least 15 times in 2 weeks, at various speeds with 75 mph being the fastest.

NHTSA ID

11685422

Incident

Aug 21, 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.

NHTSA ID

11644453

Incident

Feb 7, 2025

Mileage

25 mi

Vehicle had the dreaded 3 code battery malfunction. Charging system malfunction, critical vehicle malfunction (electrical leakage), & hybrid system malfunction. Making the car unable to drive and have to get towed. The car had me pull over at which point it could not be turned back on. It could not even be put into neutral and had to be pulled onto a flatbed truck. I bought the car on Dec 27th and Dec 28th it was broke down with 126 miles on it. It’s now Feb 22nd and they don’t know how to fix the car. This seems to be happening to many of these cars.

NHTSA ID

11644319

Incident

Dec 28, 2024

After backing out of my driveway, I put the vehicle in drive and the dash illuminated with malfunction errors. "Hybrid system malfunction", "Hybrid system electrical leakage detected stop the vehicle" and " I-activ sense partially disabled". I pulled back into my driveway, shut off the car for about 5 minutes and tried restarting. The car was disabled. Lights were still illuminated and then I couldn't get the car to move out of park. I called the dealership immediately and we arranged a tow for them to look at it. Day 2 at the shop and no answer as of yet. If my car went into limp mode and disabled my vehicle as I was driving, I could have caused an accident posing risk to myself as well as my children and other drivers. This malfunction has been happening to other CX90 and CX70 owners regardless of PHEV or MHEV vehicles. Please look into this. This is concerning with a brand new vehicle!

NHTSA ID

11644303

Incident

Feb 20, 2025

Purchased the car 3 days ago. Went to start the vehicle and received the critical error message “electrical leakage in the hybrid system was detected”. Car has to be towed. It appears this is an issue Mazda is fully aware of and continues to sell the cx90 PHEV. All parts are on months backorder and the problem persists after repairs according to others.

NHTSA ID

11640979

Incident

Feb 5, 2025

Hybrid system malfunction Critical malfunction electrical leakage detected on dash board Car died 2 times left us stranded with children Cars at the dealer for the 2nd time with same issue No warnings Happend 3 hours after picking up the car. Then again 5 days after the dealer said it was fixed. Now in dealer 2 weeks with no answer as to what the issue is. But the problem is wide spread and many people looking for answers online with the exact issue.

NHTSA ID

11640973

Incident

Jan 22, 2025

I leased this vehicle with 12 miles on it from Werner Mazda in Manchester NH. I drove it home 8 miles without issues parked it in my driveway and it immediately started to broadcast multiple warnings completely locking up. Was unable to move the car out of park. Flatbed had to take the car back to the dealership where they are currently working on the car. No recalls officially reported. A quick search indicates an ESU issue requiring an update.

NHTSA ID

11640607

Incident

Jan 31, 2025

The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.

NHTSA ID

11631954

Incident

Dec 15, 2024