2025 Mazda CX-90 Brakes Problems

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" could have caused the braking. I did not observe any squirrel, pedestrian, vehicle, object, or other hazard in front of or behind the vehicle during the incidents. I remain concerned that the vehicle may unexpectedly apply the brakes again, particularly in traffic and/or with my young son in the car. I do not feel comfortable driving it with my family while the cause is unidentified and no repair has been attempted. Mazda has been notified of the issue and I have requested a repurchase/buyback of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11768608

Incident

Sep 4, 2026

So, if the car is on electric and I press on break, sometimes breaks feels like it's delayed to response. The car will switch to gas after it and the break will work. This happened to me in the 2024 and 2025 CX90 PHEV version. I had that issue multiple times.

NHTSA ID

11764848

Incident

Sep 15, 2026

The brakes make noise. I asked Mazda if there were any recall. The service person replied there is on the brakes but they were doing it in groups and it was not my group yet.

NHTSA ID

11763883

Incident

Sep 2, 2026

I purchased this Mazda new in October 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has unexpectedly applied the brakes on three separate occasions while I was driving under normal conditions. There was no reason for the vehicle to brake, and each incident created a dangerous situation because the vehicle slowed suddenly without my input. I brought the vehicle to my local Mazda dealership for inspection. The dealership was unable to identify a defect or repair the issue. I was told that the automatic emergency braking system may sometimes react to reflections and that this behavior is considered normal. However, I do not believe it is normal or safe for a vehicle to apply the brakes unexpectedly during normal driving. I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle, especially with my husband and young child as passengers. I am concerned that if the vehicle brakes unexpectedly again, it could cause a rear-end collision or another serious accident. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this may be a safety-related defect involving the automatic emergency braking/forward collision avoidance system. I am requesting that this issue be documented and investigated.

NHTSA ID

11752630

Incident

Jul 1, 2026

Every time I drive the vehicle, it basically snatches me back into the lane aggressively. If I am moving into the next lane, the lane correction is so aggressively, I am afraid it is going to cause a collision. The brakes squeak and squeal constantly. They have oiled the brakes but it didn't work.

NHTSA ID

11740773

Incident

Dec 11, 2025

Brakes have been really squeaky and seems like a common problem for other CX90 but no fix. Steering tends to feel “sticky” when doing certain turns and locks when you’re at the max radius and won’t return back

NHTSA ID

11716061

Incident

Feb 4, 2026

I was stopped by a railroad crossing and when I started driving, my automatic emergency braking activated and jerked to a stop. This happened two consecutive days in a row. Gratefully no one was behind me, or they would have rear ended my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11698538

Incident

Nov 8, 2025

The car automatically brakes at lower speeds. This happens about 3x week and typically on a specific freeway entrances but in other locations as well. I believe this is a known phantom braking issue but for some reason my car is not included in the recall.

NHTSA ID

11688747

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction and concern regarding my recently purchased 2025 Mazda CX-90. I purchased the vehicle on February 15, 2025, and it currently has approximately 1,100 miles on it. Since acquiring the vehicle, I have experienced a persistent and extremely loud squeaking noise from the brakes, which occurs spontaneously. At times, the squeaking is so loud that pedestrians turn to look when I drive by. In an effort to address this issue, I took the vehicle to Royal Palm Beach Mazda for inspection. The service department informed me that this is a known issue with this model and that Mazda has not yet identified a solution. They stated that there was nothing they could do at this time to fix the problem. Additionally, while I was at the dealership, I encountered another Mazda CX-90 owner who was experiencing the same issue. Concerned about the safety of my vehicle, I reached out to Mazda Headquarters, but I was again told that there is not much that can be done. This response is deeply troubling. I purchased a brand-new vehicle expecting a reliable and safe driving experience. Now, I am left questioning whether my brakes are safe and whether this issue will worsen over time. I am particularly concerned about whether the brakes will function properly when I need to stop in an emergency. Given that this appears to be a widespread issue affecting multiple vehicles, Mazda should take responsibility by either issuing a recall or offering to repurchase the vehicle. Driving a brand-new car with a potential brake defect is unacceptable and possibly dangerous. I look forward to your prompt response and a satisfactory resolution to this matter. Please contact me at your earliest

NHTSA ID

11648159

Incident

Mar 3, 2025