Mazda’s CX-90 SUV is under federal investigation after a previous recall to address a steering issue may have failed to solve the problem, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency opened its investigation after receiving 26 reports of sudden changes in steering difficulty—often described as “sticky steering”—from drivers whose vehicles had already received the recall repair. The issue has been linked to at least two crashes so far, raising concerns about driver safety.
In January 2024, Mazda recalled about 44,000 CX-90 vehicles for what it called a “sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving.” According to the original recall, the problem was caused by a spring in the electric power steering assembly that pushed too hard on a gear, resulting in increased resistance when turning the wheel. Mazda’s fix included replacing the spring with a new one, regreasing the gears, and reassembling the motor. However, the NHTSA has since received dozens of complaints that the repair did not resolve the issue, and the problem persists even in some 2025 model year CX-90s and plug-in hybrid versions.
The NHTSA stated, “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.” All 26 reports came from vehicles that had undergone the recall maintenance. As reported by Fox Business, the investigation underscores ongoing safety concerns.
Mazda responded in a statement, saying, “Mazda is aware that NHTSA has opened a Recall Query related to certain MY2024 Mazda CX‑90 vehicles… We take any report related to steering performance extremely seriously and are fully cooperating with NHTSA as they begin their review. Mazda’s top priority is the safety and peace of mind of our customers. We are actively investigating the concerns raised in these reports and will continue working closely with NHTSA to ensure that any necessary actions are identified and addressed promptly,” according to The Autopian.
The investigation comes amid a series of high-profile auto recalls, including recent recalls by Toyota and Hyundai for unrelated issues. For now, Mazda CX-90 owners are advised to remain alert for changes in steering performance until the NHTSA and Mazda determine whether further action or another recall is needed.
Further updates will be provided as the NHTSA continues its review. More information on owner experiences and technical discussion can be found at the CX-90 owners forum.
Recent Comments