Your Mazda CX-90 Steering Recall Might Not Have Fixed the Problem

The Mazda CX-90 steering recall was meant to end “sticky steering.” It hasn’t, at least for some drivers. NHTSA has opened a new probe after owners said the steering still gets heavy even after the recall repair.

That matters because this isn’t a screen bug or a squeak. It’s steering. If the wheel suddenly takes more force, your hands have to react fast. That’s when a calm lane change, a tight on-ramp, or a quick dodge in traffic can get messy.

What the Mazda CX-90 Steering Probe Is Looking At

Mazda filed a safety recall in January 2024 for certain 2024 CX-90s. In the official Part 573 Safety Recall Report 24V-022, Mazda said friction inside the steering gear could rise and make the wheel harder to turn, with no warning.

Owners often describe the symptom the same way: the wheel feels normal, then it suddenly feels sticky or heavy for a moment. Some people notice it most at parking-lot speeds, where you’re cranking the wheel and the effort change is obvious. Others say it shows up mid-drive, when you’re making small corrections and the steering should feel light and smooth.

Now NHTSA is checking whether Mazda’s fix worked. In NHTSA’s ODI Resume for investigation RQ26002, the agency describes “momentary” increases in steering effort on model-year 2024 CX-90 vehicles after the 24V-022 recall remedy. The same ODI summary also lists two crash reports tied to the issue, with no injuries reported.

This kind of review is called a remedy-effectiveness probe. It’s NHTSA’s way of asking a simple question: did the recall repair lower the risk on the road? If the answer is no, Mazda may need a better repair, a wider repair, or both.

My Verdict

If you own a 2024 CX-90, don’t guess. Check your VIN using NHTSA’s recall lookup tool and keep a copy of your repair paperwork. If the steering still feels sticky or goes heavy, write down the date, the speed, and what you were doing. Note if it happened during a right or left turn. Note the weather. Tiny details help when the problem is brief.

Then go back to the dealer and get it on a repair order. Ask the advisor to include your words, not a vague “customer states” summary. If you can safely capture a short clip in a parking lot that shows the wheel effort change, that can help too.

Also file a complaint with NHTSA if the problem shows up after the recall work. Complaints are how these probes gain force. Until Mazda and NHTSA close the loop, give yourself more space, avoid rushed maneuvers in tight lots, and treat any sudden steering change as a reason to slow down and reset.