MAZDA Complaints

While driving at highway speeds (55–65 mph), the steering intermittently sticks or resists movement during turns. It feels like the steering binds or hesitates before responding, requiring additional force to correct the turn. This occurred multiple times on a Reno–Sacramento trip on 5/7/2026. This is a serious safety concern because it affects the ability to maintain lane control at highway speeds. Mazda Corporate has been notified on 5/7/2026. Roseville Mazda-appointment scheduled 5/16/2026.

I was slowly turning left into an alley when I heard a loud noise, the front of my car dropped, and the car immediately stopped and was immovable. Upon getting out of the car, it appears some joint separated from the wheel.

Three Loud Beeps on Startup. Car in Park, Doors Closed Seat Belt On No passengers Three Single Tone Loud Beeps are coming from right front speaker only. Concerned for unknown potential system(s) failure

I purchase my vehicle used around November 2025, in February 2026 we started to notice a little bit of stiffness while driving in curves it usually happens when taking a right curve. Now it has got worse to the point where it feels like the steering wheel is getting stuck while taking a curve. It looks like previous owner had already done a recall on this vehicle for that issue but it has started to have issues again.

I own a 2019 Mazda CX-5 with approximately 36,000 miles. The vehicle developed a strong burning oil smell while driving, particularly through the HVAC/vent system. I initially reported the odor to a Mazda dealership, but no issue was identified. Approximately two months later, the smell returned and worsened. The vehicle was later diagnosed by a Mazda dealership with an oil leak originating from the cylinder head near the exhaust manifold. According to the repair documentation, oil was accumulating on the exhaust due to seepage from the cylinder head. The repair required full cylinder head replacement. This created significant safety concerns because leaking oil was contacting hot engine/exhaust components while the vehicle was being operated. Burning fumes entered the passenger cabin through the vents while driving. I was concerned about the risk of fire, smoke inhalation, sudden oil loss, and possible engine failure while on the road. There were no warning lights prior to the failure. The primary symptom was the persistent burning smell. The dealership replaced the cylinder head. The original repair estimate was approximately $6,000. Mazda later provided partial goodwill assistance, but I was still required to pay approximately $2,500 out of pocket. After researching this issue further, I found numerous similar NHTSA complaints involving 2019 Mazda CX-5 vehicles experiencing cylinder head leaks/cracking near the exhaust manifold, burning smells, smoke or fumes entering the cabin, and major engine repairs at relatively low mileage. Mazda has acknowledged similar cylinder head concerns in CSP11 and TSB 01-002/23 for certain VIN ranges but denied coverage for my vehicle because the leak involved oil rather than coolant and because my VIN was outside the covered range. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether this represents a broader cylinder head defect affecting additional 2019 Mazda CX-5 vehicles outside the currently covered VIN range.

On April 29, 2026, my 2024 Mazda CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus experienced a steering malfunction while I was entering a right turn. The vehicle had Mazda steering recall 6524A / NHTSA Campaign 24V-022 marked closed/completed before this crash. I was traveling on a familiar road and attempted a normal right turn that I make regularly. As I attempted to turn, with no warning lamps, warning messages, or prior warning immediately before the incident, the steering wheel suddenly required abnormal effort, felt stuck, and would not turn normally. I was in complete shock from the sudden steering issue and abnormal resistance. The vehicle then struck the curb, left the roadway, and traveled down an embankment/grade of approximately 15 feet into a residential yard. The crash involved significant driver-side/front-left damage. The front driver-side wheel/tire separated and was found near the vehicle. The driver-side airbags deployed. Scene evidence included curb/edge impact damage, debris, and a deep ground-level rut/indentation below the roadway. This incident placed me and others at serious risk because the vehicle left the roadway and entered a residential property. The vehicle and failed components are available for inspection upon request. To my knowledge, the only prior inspection or repair related to the steering system was performed by the Mazda dealership in December 2025, when recall 6524A was marked closed/completed along with other recalls. The vehicle has not yet been independently inspected for this crash-related steering concern. Before the crash, the vehicle had multiple issues and spent significant time at the dealership for recall and non-recall repairs. One ongoing issue was a brief grinding/rubbing noise when accelerating from low speeds, which existed before the dealer work and continued afterward. Mazda/dealer indicated this low-speed grinding/rubbing noise was a known reported issue with no fix at that time.

I am reporting a persistent and dangerous "sticky steering" defect in my 2024 Mazda CX-90. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel exhibits sudden, momentary resistance and physical binding, requiring increased manual force to overcome. In several instances, the vehicle veers into other lanes and, if not corrected, would enter into the median/other lanes of traffic. This vehicle has been to the dealership three times for this specific issue and has been out of service for a cumulative total of 36 days. Despite a "repair" attempt by the dealership, the nonconformity persists. The dealership initially attempted to attribute this mechanical binding to the Lane Keep Assist (LKA) system; however, I have personally conducted road tests with the LKA system fully disabled, and the physical "stickiness" remains present. I am aware of NHTSA’s 2026 Recall Query (RQ26) regarding the effectiveness of Mazda’s steering remedies for this model. Even though my vehicle does not fall under the recall for this issue, my vehicle is currently exhibiting the exact failure symptoms that the federal government is investigating as a potential safety risk. The sudden increase in steering effort is unpredictable and poses a significant risk of over-correction or loss of control, especially in highway traffic. During the most recent repair attempt by the dealership, they were unable to duplicate the issue; however, it is very prominent and concerning. There is no warning of when it will occur. If the vehicle veers over the line on either the right or left, the lane keep assist (LKA) will engage to correct the vehicle. In some instances, the resistance is too strong for the LKA to correct the vehicle, and it requires driver correction.

Steering is horrible specifically to the left in a curve it doesn't go back to center when letting it you have to force it which is jerking car back right into other lane off the road. The brakes squeal awful the car has about 40,000 miles on it. Can't see any recall on any of this with my car but it definitely has issues.

On October 16, 2025, while slowly pulling into a parking space, my vehicle experienced sudden and unintended acceleration without driver input. I did not depress the accelerator. Despite attempting to stop the vehicle, I was unable to do so. The vehicle mounted the curb, entered the sidewalk area, and struck a community mailbox, a tree, and two legally parked vehicles. My vehicle and the two parked vehicles were declared total losses. At the time of the incident, pedestrians, including toddlers, were present on the sidewalk. This loss of vehicle control created an immediate and severe risk of serious bodily injury or death. Post-incident diagnostics indicated multiple system errors, including but not limited to: •Powertrain Control Module •Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) •Instrument Cluster •Smart Brake Support / Mazda Radar Cruise Control Of particular concern is that Mazda, through its authorized dealer Rosenthal Mazda of Gaithersburg, Maryland, had prior notice of abnormal vehicle behavior. On two separate occasions before the crash, I reported that the vehicle would jolt suddenly, as if struck from behind, and at times felt as though it was attempting to accelerate without input. On each occasion, I was informed that the dealer could not duplicate the issue. No corrective action was taken, and the vehicle was returned to service. This event constitutes a serious safety failure involving unintended acceleration and apparent braking or electronic control system malfunction in this-model vehicle. Given the involvement of advanced driver assistance systems and braking components, this matter warrants immediate and thorough review.

Transmission Malfunction / Erratic Low-Speed Operation I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the transmission system in my vehicle. The issue appears to have originated as a software-related drivability problem but progressed over time into a more serious mechanical failure affecting the transmission. The vehicle exhibited lurching/hesitation at low speeds, particularly during city driving and while idling or creeping forward in traffic. This malfunction creates a potential safety risk because the vehicle does not respond smoothly or predictably to driver input. The erratic behavior is disconcerting and requires increased driver attention, creating a distraction and reducing confidence in the vehicle’s operation. The issue has been reproduced and confirmed by a service technician, who identified a transmission-related problem and recommended repair or replacement. The failure was not consistent with normal wear and occurred prematurely. The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized dealership and is covered under the 5 year power-train warranty. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lights or messages indicating a major transmission issue. The problem I believe has been there since day 1- initially presenting as mild hesitation that could be mistaken for normal operation (especially with a turbocharged engine), but became increasingly annoying over time. After researching the issue, found similar reports from other owners describing comparable transmission behavior, suggesting this may be a broader defect.