2025 Mazda CX-90 PLUG-IN HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
25 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2025 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 13 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Electrical and battery issues
6
46.2%
Transmission and shifting
2
15.4%
Steering behavior
2
15.4%
Engine operation
1
7.7%
Braking behavior
1
7.7%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Electrical System
6
Engine
3
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
Lane Departure: Assist
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Electrical System
6
Engine
3
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
Power Train
2
Steering
2
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
2024
1
2025
11
2026
1
Complaints over time data
Category
Count
2024
1
2025
11
2026
1
2024: 1; 2025: 11; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
Hybrid system malfunction Critical malfunction electrical leakage detected on dash board Car died 2 times left us stranded with children Cars at the dealer for the 2nd time with same issue No warnings Happend 3 hours after picking up the car. Then again 5 days after the dealer said it was fixed. Now in dealer 2 weeks with no answer as to what the issue is. But the problem is wide spread and many people looking for answers online with the exact issue.
After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the vehicle shifts from first to second gear under medium to aggressive throttle is considered normal operation. It has been determined that this does not …
Steering became Notchy and in left turns only steering wheel would bind or stick when exiting a turn at a speed between 30 to 50 mph. Problem became significantly worse over course of a few days.
On or about [XXX], I leased a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport from Bob Penkhus Mazda, Colorado Springs, CO. Within approximately six weeks, on [XXX], while traveling south on [XXX] from Pueblo toward Walsenburg, the vehicle experienced severe loss of power under load. Despite the accelerator being fully depressed, the vehicle would not exceed 74 mph on the initial incline and later would not accelerate past 64 mph near La Veta Pass, even in sport mode. During an attempt to pass a slow-moving truck, the vehicle failed to accelerate, forcing …
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
13 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
7.7%Usable mileage1 / 13 records
100.0%Valid incident date13 / 13 records
100.0%Valid filing date13 / 13 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates13 / 13 records
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
Component complaint heatmap
Component
2024
2025
Electrical System
3334.7%ODI 11536250
Vehicle was parked in garage overnight in our house. At approximately 630AM, carbon monoxide detector alarmed indicating high CO levels inside the house. Source likely appeared to the vehicle- distinct odor of burned electrical wiring/insulation; vehicle felt warm to the touch. Vehicle was dead and would not start. Mazda app indicated critical warnings for ACTIVESENSE, hydrid battery, hydrid system malfunction, high voltage battery depletion, and charging system malfunction starting abruptly at 0210 hours and terminating at 0340 hours. Vehicl…
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
Vehicle was parked in garage overnight in our house. At approximately 630AM, carbon monoxide detector alarmed indicating high CO levels inside the house. Source likely appeared to the vehicle- distinct odor of burned electrical wiring/insulation; vehicle felt warm to the touch. Vehicle was dead and would not start. Mazda app indicated critical warnings for ACTIVESENSE, hydrid battery, hydrid system malfunction, high voltage battery depletion, and charging system malfunction starting abruptly at 0210 hours and terminating at 0340 hours. Vehicl…
Vehicle had the dreaded 3 code battery malfunction. Charging system malfunction, critical vehicle malfunction (electrical leakage), & hybrid system malfunction. Making the car unable to drive and have to get towed. The car had me pull over at which point it could not be turned back on. It could not even be put into neutral and had to be pulled onto a flatbed truck. I bought the car on Dec 27th and Dec 28th it was broke down with 126 miles on it. It’s now Feb 22nd and they don’t know how to fix the car. This seems to be happening to many of the…
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-90. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V022000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Steering became Notchy and in left turns only steering wheel would bind or stick when exiting a turn at a speed between 30 to 50 mph. Problem became significantly worse over course of a few days.
I was driving on the freeway on the fast lane and the vehicle slowed from 65mph to zero in about 30 seconds and came to a complete stop. It happened so fast I couldn’t change lanes to get to a safe spot. I was left stranded on the fast lane of the freeway with traffic coming right at me. Vehicle displayed a Hybrid system malfunction message.
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1313.7%ODI 11551122
When radar cruise control is on, the car sometimes brakes hard totally unexpectedly when it’s about to overtake to a slower-moving vehicle in the adjacent right lane, and despite the fact that the CX-90 does not have any vehicle directly in front of it in its lane. This happens quite regularly at highway, when I am guetting within 100-200 ft of a semi located on the adjacent right lane, even when the road is at right. I almost got rear ended at 75mph by another vehicle because of that, as they did not expect my car to brake while overtaking a s…
The Mazda CX90 PHEVs i-activesense system that controls the adaptive cruise, lane departure and lane keep assist system disables at random times with a message "i-activesense temporarily disabled. front radar obstructed." There is never any objects obstructing the radars and no outside weather/elements affecting it. It will not turn back on either, even though it should turn back on if the obstruction is cleared from the radars/sensors. Since there isnt anything to clear when it happens, it stays disabled unless the vehicle is turned off comple…
Vehicle was parked in garage overnight in our house. At approximately 630AM, carbon monoxide detector alarmed indicating high CO levels inside the house. Source likely appeared to the vehicle- distinct odor of burned electrical wiring/insulation; vehicle felt warm to the touch. Vehicle was dead and would not start. Mazda app indicated critical warnings for ACTIVESENSE, hydrid battery, hydrid system malfunction, high voltage battery depletion, and charging system malfunction starting abruptly at 0210 hours and terminating at 0340 hours. Vehicl…
After backing out of my driveway, I put the vehicle in drive and the dash illuminated with malfunction errors. "Hybrid system malfunction", "Hybrid system electrical leakage detected stop the vehicle" and " I-activ sense partially disabled". I pulled back into my driveway, shut off the car for about 5 minutes and tried restarting. The car was disabled. Lights were still illuminated and then I couldn't get the car to move out of park. I called the dealership immediately and we arranged a tow for them to look at it. Day 2 at the shop and no answ…
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
I was driving on the freeway on the fast lane and the vehicle slowed from 65mph to zero in about 30 seconds and came to a complete stop. It happened so fast I couldn’t change lanes to get to a safe spot. I was left stranded on the fast lane of the freeway with traffic coming right at me. Vehicle displayed a Hybrid system malfunction message.
On or about [XXX], I leased a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport from Bob Penkhus Mazda, Colorado Springs, CO. Within approximately six weeks, on [XXX], while traveling south on [XXX] from Pueblo toward Walsenburg, the vehicle experienced severe loss of power under load. Despite the accelerator being fully depressed, the vehicle would not exceed 74 mph on the initial incline and later would not accelerate past 64 mph near La Veta Pass, even in sport mode. During an attempt to pass a slow-moving truck, the vehicle failed to accelerate, forcing …
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
Component failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Electrical System
Too few reports for a range
25 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 11644453 · 25 mi
The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV. The contact stated that the hybrid battery failed to charge above 80 percent, and the "Engine Malfunction" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25.
The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV. The contact stated that the hybrid battery failed to charge above 80 percent, and the "Engine Malfunction" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25.
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-11
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
2024-12
1
None
ODI 11631954
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
I leased this vehicle with 12 miles on it from Werner Mazda in Manchester NH. I drove it home 8 miles without issues parked it in my driveway and it immediately started to broadcast multiple warnings completely locking up. Was unable to move the car out of park. Flatbed had to take the car back to the dealership where they are currently working on the car. No recalls officially reported. A quick search indicates an ESU issue requiring an update.
Hybrid system malfunction Critical malfunction electrical leakage detected on dash board Car died 2 times left us stranded with children Cars at the dealer for the 2nd time with same issue No warnings Happend 3 hours after picking up the car. Then again 5 days after the dealer said it was fixed. Now in dealer 2 weeks with no answer as to what the issue is. But the problem is wide spread and many people looking for answers online with the exact issue.
Purchased the car 3 days ago. Went to start the vehicle and received the critical error message “electrical leakage in the hybrid system was detected”. Car has to be towed. It appears this is an issue Mazda is fully aware of and continues to sell the cx90 PHEV. All parts are on months backorder and the problem persists after repairs according to others.
The Mazda CX90 PHEVs i-activesense system that controls the adaptive cruise, lane departure and lane keep assist system disables at random times with a message "i-activesense temporarily disabled. front radar obstructed." There is never any objects obstructing the radars and no outside weather/elements affecting it. It will not turn back on either, even though it should turn back on if the obstruction is cleared from the radars/sensors. Since there isnt anything to clear when it happens, it stays disabled unless the vehicle is turned off comple…
Near a roundabout the car in front of me started moving and braked. My car didn’t give any forward collision warning or proximity alert before my car hit the other car from back. The speed was less than 12 mph.
After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the vehicle shifts from first to second gear under medium to aggressive throttle is considered normal operation. It has been determined that this does not …
On or about [XXX], I leased a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport from Bob Penkhus Mazda, Colorado Springs, CO. Within approximately six weeks, on [XXX], while traveling south on [XXX] from Pueblo toward Walsenburg, the vehicle experienced severe loss of power under load. Despite the accelerator being fully depressed, the vehicle would not exceed 74 mph on the initial incline and later would not accelerate past 64 mph near La Veta Pass, even in sport mode. During an attempt to pass a slow-moving truck, the vehicle failed to accelerate, forcing …
Steering became Notchy and in left turns only steering wheel would bind or stick when exiting a turn at a speed between 30 to 50 mph. Problem became significantly worse over course of a few days.
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
No selected model years have a complete observation window. Choose an eligible year or a shorter window.
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
Component co-occurrence matrix
Component
Electrical System
Engine
Fuel/Propulsion System
Power Train
Steering
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
Lane Departure: Assist
Electrical System
—
1ODI 11644453 · 25 mi
The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV. The contact stated that the hybrid battery failed to charge above 80 percent, and the "Engine Malfunction" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25.
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
After backing out of my driveway, I put the vehicle in drive and the dash illuminated with malfunction errors. "Hybrid system malfunction", "Hybrid system electrical leakage detected stop the vehicle" and " I-activ sense partially disabled". I pulled back into my driveway, shut off the car for about 5 minutes and tried restarting. The car was disabled. Lights were still illuminated and then I couldn't get the car to move out of park. I called the dealership immediately and we arranged a tow for them to look at it. Day 2 at the shop and no answ…
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV. The contact stated that the hybrid battery failed to charge above 80 percent, and the "Engine Malfunction" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25.
After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the vehicle shifts from first to second gear under medium to aggressive throttle is considered normal operation. It has been determined that this does not …
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
After backing out of my driveway, I put the vehicle in drive and the dash illuminated with malfunction errors. "Hybrid system malfunction", "Hybrid system electrical leakage detected stop the vehicle" and " I-activ sense partially disabled". I pulled back into my driveway, shut off the car for about 5 minutes and tried restarting. The car was disabled. Lights were still illuminated and then I couldn't get the car to move out of park. I called the dealership immediately and we arranged a tow for them to look at it. Day 2 at the shop and no answ…
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the vehicle shifts from first to second gear under medium to aggressive throttle is considered normal operation. It has been determined that this does not …
The day after purchase, with 216 miles on the odometer, a major failure of the hybrid electrical system occurred. The car immediately shut down, not allowing the car to be moved (it could not be shifted out of "Park"). The message indicated that a high voltage leakage was detected and that the system was hazardous. It required a tow to the dealer. The dealer's service center cleared the error and refused to take further action. If this should happen again, on a busy street, serious injury could result.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
1ODI 11685422
The Mazda CX90 PHEVs i-activesense system that controls the adaptive cruise, lane departure and lane keep assist system disables at random times with a message "i-activesense temporarily disabled. front radar obstructed." There is never any objects obstructing the radars and no outside weather/elements affecting it. It will not turn back on either, even though it should turn back on if the obstruction is cleared from the radars/sensors. Since there isnt anything to clear when it happens, it stays disabled unless the vehicle is turned off comple…
The Mazda CX90 PHEVs i-activesense system that controls the adaptive cruise, lane departure and lane keep assist system disables at random times with a message "i-activesense temporarily disabled. front radar obstructed." There is never any objects obstructing the radars and no outside weather/elements affecting it. It will not turn back on either, even though it should turn back on if the obstruction is cleared from the radars/sensors. Since there isnt anything to clear when it happens, it stays disabled unless the vehicle is turned off comple…
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
3 patterns with matching reports.
Hard or delayed shifting
1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints
Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).
ODI 11690803
After driving >2000 miles or about a month, I could hear a loud, grunting/grinding noise when accelerating aggressively from 1st to 2nd gear when on EV or gas mode. Brought the vehicle at the dealership service department 4 times already, each time MAZDA Headquarters in California confirmed that this is a known and documented condition. According to Mazda, the grunt noise you’re hearing when the vehicle shifts from first to second gear under medium to aggressive throttle is considered normal operation. It has been determined that this does not …
On or about [XXX], I leased a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Sport from Bob Penkhus Mazda, Colorado Springs, CO. Within approximately six weeks, on [XXX], while traveling south on [XXX] from Pueblo toward Walsenburg, the vehicle experienced severe loss of power under load. Despite the accelerator being fully depressed, the vehicle would not exceed 74 mph on the initial incline and later would not accelerate past 64 mph near La Veta Pass, even in sport mode. During an attempt to pass a slow-moving truck, the vehicle failed to accelerate, forcing …
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 7.7% of complaints
Median mileage: 25 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11644453 · 25 mi
The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-90 PHEV. The contact stated that the hybrid battery failed to charge above 80 percent, and the "Engine Malfunction" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25.