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Model file · MazdaUpdated · 15 sources

Selling a wrecked or broken Mazda CX-90

Steering is the CX-90's biggest complaint by far. Owners have filed 505 complaints with NHTSA on the CX-90, counted October 10, 2026, and 196 of them name the steering, 189 on the 2024 alone. That is the year Mazda recalled for a worm gear in the steering that can cause a sudden loss of power assist.

A dark blue Mazda CX-90 SUV parked in a lot with yellow lines, seen from the front left, next to a red car
Photo: Ethan Llamas · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Model years (EPA data)
2024-2026
Complaints to NHTSA
505
Complaints naming steering
196
Recall campaigns
11, all on the 2024
Powertrains
3.3 turbo six mild hybrid, 2.5 plug-in hybrid
Built in
Hōfu, Japan

Whatever the reason you are selling, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

What the CX-90 is

According to Wikipedia, Mazda has made the CX-90 at its Hōfu Plant No. 2 in Japan since April 2023, starting with the 2024 model year. It replaced the CX-9. Every one has all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic. Two powertrains are offered: a 3.3-liter turbo inline-six with a small 0.33 kWh mild hybrid battery, and a 2.5-liter four plug-in hybrid with a 17.8 kWh battery and 26 miles of electric range. The EPA lists both, as the CX-90 4WD and CX-90 4WD PHEV.

Problems on the 2024, recall by recall

All 11 recall campaigns cover the 2024. Two also cover the 2025. They fall into four groups.

Steering and suspension. Campaign 24V022 (43,454 vehicles) is the power steering worm gear. An earlier one, 23V429, covered just 18 early cars whose steering and suspension bolts may have been missing or loose.

Engine and drive shutting off. On the plug-in hybrid, 23V719 fixes software that could shut down the engine and motor unexpectedly (4,252 vehicles), and 24V817 fixes inverter software that could cause a loss of drive power (14,902). On the 2024, 24V816 fixes software that could stop the engine restarting after i-stop shuts it off (38,926). 24V815 updates engine control software that could light the warning lamps (31,488). Campaigns 24V815 and 24V817 also cover the 2025 CX-70, so those counts are not CX-90 totals.

Cameras, alerts and braking. 23V718 fixes software that could leave the rear, front or side camera image blank (11,903 vehicles, Mazda3 included). 23V553 covers the pedestrian alert sound (17,600). 24V349 reprograms automatic emergency braking that could brake suddenly for objects that aren't there (9,914). Forward collision avoidance is named in 34 complaints.

Dash and fuel gauge. 24V814 reprograms the dash electrical supply unit on 2024-2025 CX-90s and 2025 CX-70s (80,915 vehicles). 25V568 fixes a fuel gauge that may read wrong on 2024-2025 mild hybrids, CX-70 included (104,854). Electrical system is the second most named component, with 54 complaints.

Every remedy above is a free dealer repair, most of them software.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Model yearComplaintsCrashes reportedInjuredRecall campaignsTop three components
2024447151511Steering 189, electrical 46, engine 39
202547202Engine 9, service brakes 7, electrical 6
202611000Two each: unknown, steering, air bags

Owners sent these complaints to NHTSA, counted through October 10, 2026. The 2025 and 2026 are much newer, so their lower numbers don't show they're better built.

Repair, claim or sell?

On a car this new, check who else might pay before you decide.

  1. Recalls: check your VIN with NHTSA's recall lookup. Open recalls are free at a Mazda dealer.
  2. Factory coverage: ask a Mazda dealer what still applies to your VIN.
  3. Crash damage: if your insurer is involved, read insurer totaled it or keep the check, sell unrepaired.
  4. Loan balance: a CX-90 often still has one. See still owe on the loan.

Selling a CX-90 whole

  1. Have the VIN, mileage and damage written down, and say whether it's the plug-in hybrid.
  2. Get an offer online or by calling (877) 421-6008.
  3. Tell us where the CX-90 is right now: a tow yard, a repair shop or your house. We collect a yard-bound CX-90 on site. Free pickup anywhere in the US.
  4. Leave it as it is. Don't pull wheels or the battery. Before pickup, wipe your data from the infotainment system.
  5. Have the title or lender details and your ID ready, and see after you sell.

Other Mazda SUVs: the CX-70, CX-9 and CX-5, or every Mazda model.

Questions people ask

What is the CX-90 power steering recall?
Campaign 24V022 covers 2024 CX-90s. The steering worm gear was put together wrong on some cars, and power steering assist can cut out all at once. A dealer fits a new spring that presses on the worm gear and greases the gear teeth again, at no cost to you.
Why does the 2024 CX-90 have so many more complaints than the 2025?
As of October 10, 2026, the 2024 shows 447 complaints, the 2025 shows 47 and the 2026 shows 11. The 2024 has been driven the longest, while the later cars are still fairly fresh. Steering accounts for 189 of the 2024's complaints.
Can I sell a CX-90 I still owe money on?
Often, yes, but the lender holds the title until the loan is paid, so start by asking the lender for a payoff figure. We have a guide on selling while you still owe money, and it goes step by step. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. EPA fuel economy data: Mazda CX-90 model years and variants fueleconomy.gov
  2. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 23V429: steering and suspension bolts, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 23V553: pedestrian alert sound, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 23V718: camera images, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 23V719: PHEV engine and motor shutdown, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 24V022: loss of power steering assist, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 24V349: automatic emergency braking, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  10. NHTSA recall 24V814: dash electrical supply unit, 2024-2025 nhtsa.gov
  11. NHTSA recall 24V815: engine control software, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  12. NHTSA recall 24V816: i-stop restart, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  13. NHTSA recall 24V817: PHEV inverter software, 2024 nhtsa.gov
  14. NHTSA recall 25V568: fuel gauge, 2024-2025 nhtsa.gov
  15. Wikipedia: Mazda CX-90 (assembly, engines, battery, transmission) en.wikipedia.org