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2024-2025 Mazda CX-90 Sticky Steering Problem Investigation
Class Action Investigation
Lemberg Law is launching a class action investigation into a power steering defect affecting Mazda CX-90 vehicles. The defect causes a sudden and unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
I’m Sergei Lemberg, a consumer protection attorney who has spent more than two decades representing vehicle owners in lemon law and defect cases. Most of my cases start with an owner calling about a problem their dealer can’t fix. This one started differently.
Part of my practice involves tracking federal safety investigations. This case stood out because Mazda had already recalled and repaired nearly all 43,000 affected vehicles. The government was now asking whether the fix actually worked.
So I dug in. The affected vehicles are mostly 2024 models, but our reporting also shows some 2025 CX-90s involved, including plug-in hybrid versions. The research and source material are included below.
What’s the Problem with the Mazda CX-90’s Steering?
On 2024 Mazda CX-90 vehicles, a defect in the steering gear assembly can cause a sudden and unexpected loss of power steering assist while driving. The root cause is excessive friction in the worm gear, a component inside the power steering motor that transmits steering force to the wheels. When that friction becomes too high, the driver experiences a sudden increase in steering effort and the wheel becomes hard to turn without warning.
Mazda issued a safety recall in January 2024 covering approximately 43,752 vehicles. By early 2026, nearly all of them had been repaired. The problem is that the complaints kept coming.
Owners report the same symptoms:
- Sudden increase in steering effort while driving
- Steering wheel feels heavy or resistant to turning
- Intermittent episodes of sticky steering
- Symptoms occurring during normal driving, not just at low speeds
Which Vehicles Are Involved?
Based on Mazda’s recall filings, federal investigation documents, and our own reporting, this investigation currently focuses on:
- Mazda CX-90 (2024)
- Mazda CX-90 (2025)
- Mazda CX-90 PHEV / Plug-In Hybrid (2024, 2025)
The original recall covered VINs beginning at JM3KKEHD6R1100044 and ending at JM3KKCHD1R1152900. Note that these are not sequential. However, our research shows owners outside that range reporting the same symptoms. If your VIN is not included, that does not mean your vehicle is unaffected.
What are Owners Experiencing?
Here are a few complaints I found in my research that highlight this issue:
“Intermittent and brief increases in steering effort (described as “sticky steering”) while driving. I could also describe as “grabby” steering that causes me to have to grab the steering wheel tightly with both hands to prevent loss of control.”
“According to your recall that states: Recall date 2024-01-17 Recall no. 24V022000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 vehicles. An assembly issue with the worm gear in the steering system may result in a sudden loss of power steering assist. Recall consequence Loss of power steering assist while driving increases the risk of a crash. My car is not included in this recall according to my VIN number, however my car is doing the same thing described above in the recall. I am requesting that ALL Mazda CX 90 vehicles be in this recall. I took it to the dealership and although there hasn’t been a serious injury yet, there absolutely could be if it is not fixed.”
“All of a sudden I have experienced sticky steering every time I turn the wheel it does not come back by itself, so need some effort to push it back. Mazda dealership service inspected the car and informed that they already put the order for the part, but it will take around 3 months to get it from Mazda. I am not thinking to wait 3 months to get the car repaired. It is basically a new car with 25k miles and costed around $60K.”
Mazda CX-90 Sticky Steering Recall
In January 2024, Mazda issued Safety Recall 24V022 (Mazda campaign 6524A) after finding that an assembly issue with the worm gear in the steering system could result in a sudden loss of power steering assist. The remedy required dealers to reapply grease to the gear teeth and replace a spring with an improved part to reduce friction.
By January 2026, Mazda’s own quarterly reports showed that 43,033 of the 43,752 recalled vehicles, more than 98%, had been repaired.
Despite that near-complete completion rate, NHTSA kept receiving new complaints. In most cases, the owner reported the steering problem after the recall remedy had already been applied to their vehicle.
CX-90 Steering Federal Investigation
On January 26, 2026, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened Recall Query RQ26002 to assess whether the Recall 24V022 remedy is actually working. Key findings from the investigation documents:
- NHTSA received 26 complaints of steering problems after the recall repair was completed
- 2 of those complaints are linked to crashes
- In every single complaint, the recall remedy had already been applied before the incident occurred
- NHTSA describes the condition as intermittent and brief increases in steering effort, what owners call “sticky steering“
- The agency is investigating whether the original recall remedy is adequate
Have a look at the ODI Opening Resume Recall Query document:
Is There a New Recall?
At this time, there is no new or expanded safety recall covering the post-remedy steering failures in the Mazda CX-90.
NHTSA’s Recall Query is an investigative step that may or may not lead to additional action. Mazda has not issued supplemental repair instructions or a new dealer bulletin addressing the post-remedy complaints.
What Can You Do?
If you own a Mazda CX-90 and have experienced sudden increases in steering effort or sticky steering, especially after the recall repair, here are the steps to take:
- Document every incident with dates, mileage, and conditions.
- Save all repair orders and service invoices, including documentation showing the recall repair was completed.
- Return to your Mazda dealer and report the symptoms. Ask that the concern be documented on a new repair order.
- File a complaint with NHTSA at www.nhtsa.gov. Your complaint may contribute to the ongoing federal investigation.
Your Legal Rights
Warranty law, lemon law, and consumer protection statutes may apply here. If the recall repair failed to fix the problem, or if the issue has recurred after service, you may have legal options. Owners should not have to accept an incomplete remedy.
Depending on the scope of the issue, this matter may also give rise to class action litigation on behalf of all affected CX-90 owners.
Every case is different and no outcome is guaranteed. But owners deserve clear information and an honest evaluation.
Free Case Evaluation
If you own a Mazda CX-90 and have experienced power steering problems, especially after the recall was completed, we can help. We will evaluate whether you have a lemon law claim or may be part of our class action investigation. There is no cost and no obligation.
Our firm works on a contingency-fee basis. You do not pay legal fees unless a recovery is obtained.
If your vehicle has had recurring steering problems, your experience matters. It may help clarify the scope of this issue and support ongoing consumer investigations.
Sources:
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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