Federal safety regulators have launched an investigation into Mazda’s CX-90 SUVs after dozens of drivers reported that a recent recall failed to fix dangerous steering problems, potentially putting thousands of motorists at risk.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened its investigation on January 30, 2026, following 26 complaints from CX-90 owners who continued to experience “sticky steering” even after their vehicles received the supposed fix from a January 2024 recall. The investigation covers approximately 44,000 vehicles, including both standard and hybrid models of the 2024 CX-90, Mazda’s flagship SUV.
According to the NHTSA’s documentation, drivers reported “sudden increases of steering effort while driving” after receiving the recall remedy. “Sudden and unexpected change of steering effort while driving may increase the risk of a crash,” the agency warned. That risk isn’t theoretical — the steering issues have already been linked to at least two crashes.
A Fix That Didn’t Fix
The original recall, identified as 24V022, was issued in January 2024 and covered 43,752 vehicles. The problem stemmed from a spring in the electric power steering assembly that was causing excessive friction in what’s called the “worm gear,” leading to unexpected increases in steering effort — basically, making the steering wheel suddenly difficult to turn.
Mazda’s solution? Replace the problematic spring and reapply grease to the steering assembly. But that remedy now appears to have failed for at least some vehicles, prompting NHTSA’s Recall Query RQ26002 to determine whether the original fix was adequate.
What makes this particularly concerning for drivers is the unpredictable nature of the issue. Imagine cruising down the highway or navigating a tight curve when suddenly your steering wheel becomes dramatically harder to turn. The investigation documents indicate that’s exactly what some drivers experienced — a frightening scenario that could lead to loss of vehicle control.
The problematic component was supplied by Hitachi, and the technical explanation involves a spring pushing too hard on a gear in the electric power steering assembly. But for affected drivers, the technical details matter far less than the fact that their $40,000+ SUVs still have potentially dangerous steering issues after being “fixed.”
Mazda’s Response
The automaker has acknowledged the investigation and pledged cooperation. “Mazda is aware that NHTSA has opened a Recall Query related to certain MY2024 Mazda CX‑90 vehicles previously remedied under Recall 24V022,” the company stated. “We take any report related to steering performance extremely seriously and are fully cooperating with NHTSA as they begin their review.”
The CX-90, introduced as Mazda’s largest and most premium SUV, has been a crucial part of the automaker’s upmarket strategy. With a starting price of around $40,000, the three-row vehicle competes in the lucrative mid-size luxury SUV segment. This ongoing steering issue could potentially damage consumer confidence in what’s supposed to be the brand’s flagship model.
Could this investigation expand to include more vehicles? That’s certainly possible. The NHTSA has already expanded the scope to include 2025 models, suggesting the issue might not be limited to the initially recalled vehicles. The agency will now assess whether Mazda’s original remedy was properly designed and implemented.
For owners of affected vehicles who haven’t experienced problems yet, the news is undoubtedly concerning. The reports indicate that some drivers experienced the steering problems immediately after the recall work was performed, while others developed issues weeks or months later.
Safety experts recommend that CX-90 owners who notice any changes in steering effort or responsiveness should immediately contact their dealer and file a complaint with NHTSA through the agency’s website or vehicle safety hotline.
As federal investigators dig deeper into the CX-90’s steering issues, Mazda finds itself in the uncomfortable position of potentially needing to recall already-recalled vehicles — a costly and reputation-damaging prospect for a company that has traditionally scored well in reliability rankings.
The timeline for NHTSA’s investigation remains unclear, but one thing is certain: for thousands of CX-90 owners, the road ahead just got a little bumpier — and potentially more dangerous.
