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 "Engi…
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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. The primary malfunction involved the vehicle’s braking system, with concurrent issues in the engine and hybrid systems as indicated by the alerts. The vehicle and all related components, along with the computer fault codes, are available for inspection and further testing at the Mazda dealership. The brake failure significantly endangered the safety of both myself and my daughter, as we nearly entered an active intersection uncontrollably, which could have led to a severe collision, posing a grave risk to both occupants and pedestrians. Despite extensive diagnostics and approximately 33 miles of test driving under various conditions, the dealership was unable to replicate the brake failure, raising serious concerns about the braking system’s reliability and predictability. The dealership's technicians, in cooperation with Mazda corporate engineers, have inspected the vehicle and analyzed the diagnostic data and fault codes. As of April 19th, the car remains with the dealership for further analysis. No additional inspections by police, insurance, or independent service centers have been reported. The inability to reproduce the brake failure and the spontaneous nature of the dashboard warnings underscore the necessity for continuous investigation by Mazda. Without a clear resolution, my trust in the vehicle’s safety is deeply shaken, especially for driving in high-speed or heavily trafficked areas.
NHTSA ODI #11584033
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2024
EngineService Brakes
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…
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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 ODI #11567129
Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes
While traveling in the left lane on a 2 lane interstate, 79S, the car suddenly braked as I passed a truck in the right lane entering a curve. The "apply brake now" emergency message also flashed on the display. Had a vehicle been closely following behind, it would have crashed into my rear
NHTSA ODI #11553428
Official recalls
0
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NHTSA investigations
1
RQ26002 · Momentary Increase In Steering Effort After Recall Remedy
Opened Jan 26, 2026 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 26 complaints and several Early Warning Reporting (EWR) Field Reports alleging intermittent and brief increases in steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) during the drive cycle in model year (MY) 2024 CX-90 vehicles manufactured by Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) subject to Recall 24V2022. In each complaint, the vehicle had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported incident. Recall 24V022 addresses a sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving caused by excessive worm gear friction force. After receiving the recall 24V022 remedy, consumers report sudden increases of steering effort while driving. Sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving may increase the risk of a crash. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of the remedy for Recall 24V022 and to identify the cause(s) of the conditions leading to the post-remedy reports. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 26 complaints and several Early Warning Reporting (EWR) Field Reports alleging intermittent and brief increases in steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) during the drive cycle in model year (MY) 2024 CX-90 vehicles manufactured by Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) subject to Recall 24V2022. In each complaint, the vehicle had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported incident. Recall 24V022 addresses a sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving caused by excessive worm gear friction force. After receiving the recall 24V022 remedy, consumers report sudden increases of steering effort while driving. Sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving may increase the risk of a crash. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of the remedy for Recall 24V022 and to identify the cause(s) of the conditions leading to the post-remedy reports. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Steering:rack And Pinion
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 26 complaints and several Early Warning Reporting (EWR) Field Reports alleging intermittent and brief increases in steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) during the drive cycle in model year (MY) 2024 CX-90 vehicles manufactured by Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) subject to Recall 24V2022. In each complaint, the vehicle had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported incident. Recall 24V022 addresses a sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving caused by excessive worm gear friction force. After receiving the recall 24V022 remedy, consumers report sudden increases of steering effort while driving. Sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving may increase the risk of a crash. ODI is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of the remedy for Recall 24V022 and to identify the cause(s) of the conditions leading to the post-remedy reports. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
2024 Mazda CX-90 PLUG-IN Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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