- Mazda recalled the 2024 CX-90 for a sticky steering defect.
- NHTSA received 26 new complaints after the fix was applied.
- Regulators reviewing whether its recall remedy was effective.
Modern cars are so full of technology that they have introduced new potential issues in the process. Mazda and its customers know this firsthand after a recall in early 2024. It was supposed to address an issue described as “sticky steering” in the CX-90 of that model year.
Read: Mazda CX-90 Recalled Again, Now It’s The Steering
Now, nearly two years on, the issue may not be entirely resolved. Some drivers say it’s returned, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation to see whether the fix worked as intended.
What Prompted the First Recall
The original action, Recall 24V022, was issued to address a sudden and unexpected change in steering effort. Research at the time found that the worm gear could get so warm that the lubricant would fail to keep the steering feet linear and consistent.
The proposed fix included a fresh application of lubricant along with a software update designed to catch the problem before it happened. On paper, that combination should have solved it.
Instead, the NHTSA is still fielding reports of steering inconsistencies from those who had the recall remedy performed. According to a newly published Recall Query (RQ26002), federal regulators are examining whether Mazda’s previous recall remedy actually solved the problem it was meant to address.
New Complaints, Old Problem
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) says it has received 26 consumer complaints, along with several Early Warning Reporting (EWR) field reports, alleging intermittent and sudden increases in steering effort during normal driving.
The NHTSA warns that any unexpected change in steering effort while driving can increase crash risk, especially at highway speeds or during evasive maneuvers.
In fact, at this point, the ODI believes two crashes might be linked to the problem. It doesn’t have any record of injuries or deaths due to it, though. The investigation covers 43,752 model-year 2024 CX-90s sold in the U.S. At this point, owners don’t have to do anything. The NHTSA hasn’t provided any sort of direction, and neither has Mazda.
More: Mazda Blamed Owners Until Regulators Stepped In
What’s coming next is a determination from the ODI about whether or not the original recall did its job. If it finds that it was inadequate, Mazda will have to issue a revised repair in an entirely new recall.
