39 of the
184 complaints filed about the Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid
are about the electrical system —
21% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2024.
I am reporting serious safety concerns with my Mazda CX-90 PHEV (leased, manufactured September 2023). These issues create unacceptable risk to occupants and other road users. Multiple Severe Recalls: My vehicle has had at least four major recalls: • 6323J – Engine & Motor Shutdown: Complete loss of propulsion without warning. • 7024J – ECU Software Failures: Loss of drive power and restart failures. • 24V817000 – EV Mode Power Loss: Sudden propulsion loss in EV mode. • 6724E – Sudden Braking: Automatic braking without cause. These defects could lead to crashes or fatalities. Hybrid System Malfunctions: Two recent “Hybrid System Malfunction” warnings required dealer visits. These failures could cause the car to shut off while driving—even at highway speeds. • First incident: Battery-related issue. • Second incident: Triggered by a loud noise during startup, impacting the AVAS system. A loud noise should never disable a family vehicle, indicating a design flaw. Charging Safety Issues: Charging via a standard outlet caused flickering lights and breaker buzzing in my house. A licensed electrician diagnosed harmonic distortion from the onboard charger. I spent $7,500 on electrical upgrades (dedicated EV line and panel upgrade) to charge safely. Manufacturer Response: I have had an open case with Mazda corporate for nearly two weeks. They refuse to acknowledge overall vehicle safety or provide written documentation confirming safety. Request: I urge NHTSA to investigate whether these defects represent a systemic safety issue in Mazda CX-90 PHEV models and take appropriate regulatory action
NHTSA complaint #11704628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2024 Mazda CX-90 continues to have a malfunctioning fuel gauge despite multiple dealer visits and the recall repair (Recall 25V568). The dealer confirmed the issue was fixed, but it is not. The digital fuel gauge does not update in real time. It remains stuck for long distances and only partially recalibrates after restarting the car. For example, on November 5, 2025, I drove more than 60 miles, but the gauge dropped by only about 10 miles. After turning the ignition off and on, the gauge adjusted slightly but still did not reflect the true fuel level. Photos from that day are attached. I have serious safety concerns. The recall notice states: “If the vehicle incorrectly indicates an inaccurate fuel level, there is a chance of unexpectedly running out of fuel while driving. This would result in an engine stall and vehicle being unable to restart, increasing the risk of a crash.” This issue persists even after the recall service was completed, suggesting that the current fix may not fully resolve the defect. This has been an ongoing issue. I visited the dealership again on Nov 5th, 2025.
NHTSA complaint #11697781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On occasion (several times in a month) I will drive the car listening to the radio. I then park for a short time and turn the car on and drive away when I notice that the radio isn;t on as it was when I parked. I then have to pull over, park the car, shut off the engine then restart. Now the redio comes on. I am concerned that other safety items are also non functioning when this happens. The dealer has been no help.
NHTSA complaint #11691433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The hybrid battery and hybrid system malfunctioned. The vehicle emitted a strong rotten-egg odor (consistent with hydrogen sulfide gas) inside the cabin from [XXX] to [XXX]. The hybrid system warning light first appeared on [XXX]. On [XXX], the air conditioner did not work while driving, and on other occasions it failed to turn on until the engine was restarted. On August 5, 2025, the vehicle was serviced for a related recall, but the warning light returned shortly afterward. From [XXX] to [XXX], my children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ), my elderly mother, and I were exposed to fumes inside the cabin. We experienced headaches, nausea, and dizziness. On one occasion, my mother nearly fainted after dinner while visiting, which coincided with her exposure to the odor. The dealership did not warn me that the hybrid warning light could be associated with the odor or that an odor would be hazardous, so I continued driving the vehicle during this period. On September 3, 2025, the dealership confirmed the hybrid system malfunction, deemed the car unsafe to drive, and ordered a replacement battery. The vehicle was out of service until September 15, 2025, when the entire hybrid battery was replaced. The dealership inspected the vehicle multiple times, and Mazda corporate (Customer Experience Center case manager) was notified. The component was replaced under warranty, but the event created a significant safety risk due to exposure to toxic fumes and the potential for hybrid system failure while driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11687732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ever since the lease of this vehicle on January 2025 we’ve had problems with the brake/rotors took it in twice for that. As of recent August 2025, we took it in for loss of power going up a hill, hybrid malfunctioning electrical system going out. Dealership gave it back saying everything was fine. We took it on August 29, 2025 to Colorado vehicle failed to perform loss of power going up the mountain almost got hit by a vehicle because I was in a fast lane with my family had to pull over with whatever power I had left in the engine (not the battery). I mean the vehicle just keeps failing to perform as it should as well on the way back. It had the same issues but as severe going to Colorado.Vehicle does not change gears going uphill. When we stopped in Vegas for fuel, fuel door did not open it & malfunctioned. So vehicle does not perform well in cold and hot weather AWD system does not work at all. We feel a jerking, we hear a whistling’s type of noise that the dealership fell to inspect. Per them everything worked fine but when we took it to Colorado this weekend for Labor Day, vehicle underperformed with extreme safety concerns and we contacted Mazda, but they fell to listen to our concerns and say the vehicle is fine but when you drive the vehicle, it does not perform as it should and is a safety hazard to us and anybody around us due to a loss of power and everything I described above.
NHTSA complaint #11684407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On two separate occasions, my young children were locked inside the vehicle, and on one of the two occasions my elderly mother was also locked inside. In all incidents, the doors and windows remained closed and would not unlock, even when attempting to use the key fob. Specifically, after parking, I exited the driver’s seat and closed my door. When I went to open the rear doors to get my children out of their car seats, the rear doors were locked and could not be unlocked by the key fob. The same occurred when my elderly mother was in the vehicle. Each time, the car was in hot conditions, and we were fortunately able — after some struggle — to unlock the doors and remove them from the vehicle. This presents a serious safety risk, particularly in warm weather and with young or elderly passengers who cannot exit the vehicle themselves. I am currently pursuing a lemon law claim for this vehicle, but I also wanted to formally report this defect because of the danger it poses.
NHTSA complaint #11673421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Braking System and Infotainment Malfunctions — 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Vehicle: 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Incident Dates: June 1, 2024 June 16, 2024 June 30, 2025 Ongoing (infotainment issue) Summary of Complaint: I am reporting multiple safety-related concerns with my 2024 Mazda CX-90 PHEV involving both the braking system and the infotainment/electrical system: 1. Delayed Brake Engagement – June 1, 2024: While stopping for a pedestrian crossing the street, I pressed the brake pedal and the vehicle lunged forward before the brakes fully engaged. The delay in braking caused the vehicle to move forward several inches before stopping, nearly endangering the pedestrian. It felt as if the brakes did not respond immediately when applied. 2. Sudden, Unnecessary Braking – June 16, 2024: While following a vehicle that was slowing down to make a right turn, the CX-90 PHEV abruptly and aggressively braked on its own, despite sufficient following distance and no imminent collision risk. The rapid deceleration nearly caused the vehicle behind me to rear-end us. This appeared to be triggered by the vehicle’s automated braking or forward collision system reacting too strongly. 3. Infotainment System Failure – Ongoing / June 30, 2025: The infotainment system frequently restarts itself, shutting down entirely and rebooting without warning — particularly while driving in larger cities. On June 30, 2025, the system completely failed, and a warning appeared on the dashboard stating that the vehicle needed service. After shutting down and restarting the vehicle, the message disappeared. However, this intermittent failure creates a serious distraction and potential safety hazard while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11670696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
- Serious safety issue: car stopped suddenly in the middle of traffic - Errors appeared: Hybrid System Malfunction, “vehicle can not be driven” and “Electrical Leakage in Hybrid System Detected” - Would not come out of park, had to be towed to Mazda dealership - Picked up car and after 15 min of driving the 'hybrid malfunction' light came back on - Car was returned to Mazda dealership for testing
NHTSA complaint #11664266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Issue Summary: Since December 27, 2024, my vehicle has experienced a hybrid malfunction and leakage issue three times. Each time this occurs, the vehicle becomes completely inoperable and cannot move, requiring a tow truck to take it to the dealership. Since December 27, 2024, my car has been in the shop four times, yet the issue persists. This raises serious reliability and safety concerns, as the vehicle can suddenly become unusa
NHTSA complaint #11644694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11644453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Received Hybrid Battery Malfunction and Electrical Leakage Detection alerts two weeks ago. Dealer has not been able to fix. First they said it was the water heater, then they said my radiator was leaking and I need a new one. Estimated 4 additional weeks for repair.
NHTSA complaint #11644305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11644303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While vehicle was in motion, warning light came on stating “engine malfunction, have the vehicle inspected”. Engine light stays illuminated. The message and light now appear at startup
NHTSA complaint #11641492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At approximately 16:50 engine malfunction warning light appeared and dealership was notified. Appointment scheduled for 4 days after. At 17:21 car began swerving uncontrollably along I80 with warning “engine malfunction, have the vehicle inspected.” The car was shaking violently and veered off the road into the ditch between the eastbound and westbound highway. The car was totaled. Review of the vehicle app indicated that just before the crash at 17:19 several critical vehicle malfunctions messages appeared. The vehicle crashed at 17:21.
NHTSA complaint #11641436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11640973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11640979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11640607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11631954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-90. The contact stated while driving at approximately 3 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated; however, the accelerator pedal was not being depressed during the failure. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed that a software update was needed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #11631804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving my 2024 CX90 PHEV when a warning about an electrical leakage in the hybrid system was detected. I brought it home and parked in my garage. I called the dealership and they told me to bring it in. When I started to leave, the car would not shift out of park and bricked up. A towing service had to drag it out of my garage. My concern is that there is no limp mode or any way to switch to the gasoline engine when this happened. Had there been a fire in the battery, I would not have been able to get it out of my garage, putting our house and children at risk. Also, had it locked up on a highway, an accident could easily happen. After the dealership dragged it off of the rollback, they couldn’t even get the car to move. They told me that they would have to order special tools to be able to get the car to move. Along with the steering recall that worked for about a month, the steering rack had to be replaced, and the failure of the electrical system, I feel like this car is unsafe to drive. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11623076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.