Mazda CX-90 TY
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Mazda CX-90 TY (since 2023) is the large US flagship SUV — three rows on the longitudinal platform with rear-drive character, premium ambitions and new inline-six and PHEV tech.
Engine choice: H3T-VPTS (3.3 SkyActiv-G inline-six turbo mild hybrid, 254 kW/340 hp) — strong and smooth, but with 48V battery weaknesses. PY-VPS-PHEV (2.5 e-SkyActiv plug-in hybrid, 241 kW) — plenty of system power, but complex and with several software recalls.
Weak points: as a young model heavily under observation. A steering-gear recall (increased steering effort), several software recalls (loss of drive power, dash-ESU with defroster/camera failure), i-Stop restart issues, early 48V battery failure with long lead times, premature brake-pad wear and squeal, very thin paint, a lane-keep-assist class action.
Test-drive checklist: Confirm all software recalls (steering, power loss, ESU) are done, check the 48V battery status, the brakes for squeal/wear, the transmission for low-speed shudder, the paint for chips.
Market 2026: at 40,000 km $40,000–50,000 (US market). Insider pick: an H3T-VPTS (3.3 inline-six) from MY2025 (many software recalls resolved) — the smooth six is more mature than the complex PHEV.
Engine Overview
The Mazda CX-90 TY is available with 2 engine variants — from 328 to 345 hp.
The 2.5 e-SkyActiv PHEV combines a four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with an e-motor and a 17.8 kWh drive battery. The most serious topic is a recall for unexpected motor shutdown: a false insulation-fault detection can disable the hybrid system, so the car cannot move off after stopping. Add jerky transitions between electric and combustion drive (the eight-speed clutch-pack), driveshaft vibration, a transmission software recall, and a 12V battery that drains when parked. Check all recalls by VIN before buying — most are fixed by software.
- !! Recall: unexpected engine shutdown
A software fault in the hybrid control unit can shut down the drive unexpectedly or cause a power loss in EV mode. Early PHEV build years are affected — in Europe the CX-60/CX-80 (2022 recall), in the US the CX-90/CX-70 (NHTSA 6323J, 7024J, 7124J). Mazda applies software updates free of charge.
Symptoms: Engine shuts off during driving, abrupt switch to EV mode, fault message in the instrument cluster, power loss. - !! Recall: Transmission Software Shift Logic
Faulty transmission software can cause unintended gear disengagement. Recall affects CX-60 PHEV and diesel variants from the first production years.
Symptoms: Gearbox shifts unintentionally to neutral, loss of drive, transmission warning light, jerky gear changes. - !! Jerk during electric-to-combustion engine transition
The transition from pure electric drive to combustion engine engagement produces a noticeable jerk. Occurs at low speeds and under light acceleration. Software updates improve but do not fully eliminate the problem.
Symptoms: Distinct jolt when the combustion engine cuts in, especially at 30–50 km/h; gearbox shudder at low speed.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
The 3.3 SkyActiv-G Turbo is a modern inline-six petrol with a 48V mild hybrid — refined and strong. As the range is very new, software and electronics topics dominate: several free recalls (i-stop fails to restart, loss of drive power from PCM software, a wrong fuel gauge causing a stall) plus a 12V battery that drains when parked (there is no conventional alternator). The block seems mechanically solid; the direct-injection design risk (intake-valve carbon) is barely documented yet on the young fleet. Check all open recalls by VIN before buying.
- !! Recall: i-stop — engine fails to restart
A PCM/BECM software fault lets the petrol engine shut off at i-stop and fail to restart reliably (NHTSA 24V-816, mild-hybrid petrol only, not PHEV). Fixed by a free software update.
Symptoms: Engine shuts off at i-stop and will not restart, hybrid-system warning, standstill. - !! Recall: loss of drive power (PCM software)
Faulty PCM/ECM software can cause a warning light and loss of drive power while driving (NHTSA 24V-815, MY2024 CX-90/2025 CX-70). Crash risk. Fixed by a free software update.
Symptoms: Sudden power reduction/limp mode, warning light. - !! Fuel gauge wrong — engine stalls (empty tank)
Ethanol attacks the fuel-level sender circuit board; the gauge falsely shows fuel while the tank is empty — the engine stalls and will not start (recall 7825I, mild-hybrid only). Fixed by a control-unit software update.
Symptoms: Inaccurate fuel gauge, unexpected stall with a seemingly full tank.
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Recall: Steering Gear Worm Gear Defect (24V022 / 6524A) NHTSA recall 24V022 (Mazda campaign 6524A) affects 43,454 MY2024 CX-90 units: an assembly defect in the steering worm gear can cause sudden loss of power steering assist. Mazda replaces the spring engaging the worm gear and regreases the gear teeth. NHTSA opened a follow-up investigation into whether the fix was durable. Symptoms: Sudden dramatic increase in steering effort, steering wheel nearly impossible to turn, steering warning light | Low | |
| Recall: Multiple Software Recalls — Drive Power Loss / ESU Three simultaneous NHTSA recalls (Dec 2024) collectively cover 150,000+ vehicles: 7124J (Dash ESU — defroster/camera/cooling disabled), 7024J (PCM/ECM — drive power loss in EV mode), and a separate i-Stop recall. All remedies are free software updates at Mazda dealers. Symptoms: Multiple warning messages at startup, vehicle enters limp mode, drive power fails in EV mode, defroster and 360° camera inoperative | Low | |
| Recall: i-Stop Fails to Restart Engine After Idle 38,926 MY2024 CX-90 units are affected: the auto start-stop system (i-Stop) can fail to restart the engine after an idle stop. Mazda reprograms the PCM and BECM with improved software. Symptoms: Vehicle does not restart after a stop in traffic, Hybrid System Malfunction warning, vehicle must be towed | Low |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 18 weaknesses have been documented for the Mazda CX-90 TY (2023–2025) — 10 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. One problem engine: PY-VPS-PHEV (2.5L e-SkyActiv PHEV). Typical issues affect Other, Brakes, Electronics, Body.
CX-90 (H3T-VPTS, 2023–2025) — Be Careful: Recall: i-stop — engine fails to restart, Recall: loss of drive power (PCM software), Fuel gauge wrong — engine stalls (empty tank). Power: 345 PS.
CX-90 (PY-VPS-PHEV, 2023–2025) — Stay Away!: Recall: unexpected engine shutdown, Recall: Transmission Software Shift Logic, Jerk during electric-to-combustion engine transition. Power: 328 PS.
What to watch out for with the Mazda CX-90? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee