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What I Found When I Dug Into 2025 Mazda CX-90 Owner Complaints
Problem analysis of the 2025 Mazda CX-90 found issues including hybrid system malfunctions, rough transmission shifts, inaccurate fuel gauge readings, brake noise, and software glitches reported by multiple owners and regulatory data.
Power loss? Read about our investigation regarding the CX-90 Hybrid Engines Stalling.
Sticky Steering? Read about our investigation regarding the CX-90 Sticky Steering.
Key Points
- Lemberg Law reviewed real owner complaints, internal data, and NHTSA data to identify the main concerns reported by 2025 Mazda CX-90 drivers.
- The most frequently reported problem involves hybrid system malfunction and sudden power loss, including complaints about warning lights, reduced acceleration, and unexpected engine shutdowns.
- Additional reported issues include transmission jerking and harsh shifts, excessive brake squealing, and software and infotainment limitations, while repeated defects may support lemon law claims for compensation or other remedies.
The 2025 Mazda CX-90 hybrid system issue is one we have been tracking for a while. We published a deep dive on it back in February 2025, and as of the time of this writing it is still showing up in fresh complaints. In fact, a new complaint about this exact issue was submitted to NHTSA just two weeks ago.
This article is part of our ongoing series where we summarize the most commonly reported problems for specific vehicle models, pulling from NHTSA data, owner forums, and our own internal case files. The goal is to keep owners informed and help them understand their rights.
Worth stating: the CX-90 is not a bad vehicle, and most owners are not dealing with any of this. These are the issues showing up in a small slice of the ownership base, but they are worth knowing about.
My name is Sergei Lemberg, and I’m a lemon law attorney with over twenty years of experience representing consumers in vehicle defect cases. Let’s dive in.
Most Common Problems
Several data sources reveal recurring issues reported by 2025 Mazda CX-90 owners. Based on complaint frequency and severity, the primary problems include:
- Hybrid System Malfunction and Sudden Power Loss: Owners report hybrid system warnings accompanied by reduced acceleration and unexpected engine shut downs during normal driving.
- Transmission jerking and harsh shifts: I found repeated complaints about rough low-speed shifting, especially between first and second gear.
- Excessive Brake Squealing: Many report persistent, loud brake noise that dealers acknowledge as a known issue with no current fix.
- Software and Infotainment Limitations: Frustrating touchscreen lockouts while driving, intrusive warning sounds, and inconsistent system performance.
Other complaints include sticky steering feel during tight turns, premature tire wear, delayed camera activation, and part delays.
2025 Mazda CX-90 Complaint Summary
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Steering | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Fuel/propulsion System |
Top Problem #1: Hybrid System Malfunction and Sudden Power Loss
I found this is the most urgent and frequently reported problem affecting 2025 Mazda CX-90 owners. Reports describe the vehicle suddenly limiting or losing acceleration while warning lights display hybrid system and engine malfunctions.
Symptoms include:
- Warning lights for “Hybrid System Malfunction,” “Engine Malfunction,” and “I-Stop Malfunction” illuminating suddenly.
- Severe reduction in power or complete loss of propulsion, even in traffic or during turns.
- Check engine light activating without clear fault codes on diagnostic scans.
- Intermittent stalling or the vehicle refusing to move until restarted.
- Recalls related to software updates and climate control issues are linked to these symptoms.
One owner stated
“The vehicle repeatedly displays warnings including: Acceleration Limited Due to Low Fuel and/or Battery Condition, Hybrid System Malfunction, and Engine System warnings. These events result in reduced acceleration and loss of power while driving. The warnings continue to recur and remain unresolved.”
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Top Problem #: Transmission Jerking and Harsh Shifts
I found many owners describing rough shifting, especially at low speed. I saw complaints about a harsh first to second gear change, jerking during normal driving, and a feeling that the vehicle hesitates before engaging. I also saw owners say the dealer duplicated the issue but then told them the CX-90 was operating as designed. That response does not solve the problem for the person behind the wheel.
- Harsh low-speed shifts, especially from first to second gear.
- Jerking or lurching in stop and go traffic.
- Delay when pulling away from a stop.
- Improvement after software updates, but not complete resolution
One report described the issue like this
“Since early in my lease, the vehicle has had ongoing drivability issues that have worsened over time and now present a serious safety concern. From the beginning, the vehicle exhibited jerking and hesitation while driving. Initially minor, this has become more frequent and now includes stalling behavior during normal driving conditions…”
Top Problem #3: Excessive Brake Squealing
Brake noise is a persistent problem shared by numerous CX-90 owners. Loud and spontaneous squealing from the front brakes is distracting and raises safety concerns.
Owners report:
- High-pitched squealing or screeching sounds from front brakes during typical use.
- Occasional worsening after brake application or during cold weather.
- Dealers confirming it as a known issue but with no current effective solution.
An owner shared
“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. I reached out to Mazda Headquarters, but I was again told that there is not much that can be done.”
What Should You Do If Your 2025 Mazda CX-90 Is a Lemon?
If your 2025 CX-90 has recurring, unresolved defects substantially impairing its use, value, or safety, it may qualify as a lemon under your state’s lemon laws. I advise you to:
- Document all repair attempts, symptoms, warnings, and communications with your dealer and manufacturer.
- Keep copies of repair orders, diagnostic reports, and recall notices related to your vehicle’s issues.
- File complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to add to official records.
- Understand that lemon laws typically require a reasonable number of repair attempts or a vehicle out of service for a certain period to qualify.
Lemberg Law offers free case evaluations to help determine if your CX-90’s problems meet your state’s lemon law criteria. We do not get paid unless we win your case. Time is critical because lemon law claims often have strict deadlines. I encourage you to contact us today for a no-cost consultation to protect your rights.
Click 877-795-3666 now to call us.
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About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
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