Mazda Recalls New CX-90 Hybrids Over Driver-Assistance Defect

Mazda is recalling some 10,000 new CX-90 hybrid vehicles, citing a serious problem with the car’s brakes.

The brakes may unexpectedly activate at speeds of 10 to 15 miles per hour due to false detection of objects in their paths, Mazda recently told federal vehicle safety regulators. That poses a safety hazard for anyone in the cars or sharing the road with them.

The braking system is especially prone to mistaking reflections or large metal objects on the side of the road as approaching objects, according to Mazda. “Improper programming” of the cars’ vehicle control modules is to blame, the company said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall covers certain 2024 CX-90 hybrids, which were produced from December 2022 to September 2023.

The company plans to notify owners of recalled cars via mail by July 17, Mazda told NHTSA. Owners can check the NHTSA website in the meantime to see if their cars are covered by the recall.

Mazda will ask owners to take their vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection and repair.

“Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module with updated software, the company said. “There will be no charge for this service to vehicle owners.”

The updated software has already been installed on vehicles produced after September 13, 2023, Mazda said.

Know Your Lemon Law Rights

These kinds of safety recalls, unfortunately, are common among carmakers. 

Major auto manufacturers recall millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of defects and malfunctions that put everyone on the road at risk.

Mazda, for example, last year recalled nearly 230,000 vehicles over faulty rearview cameras that the company said could become distorted. Mazda acknowledged that the defect increased the risk of crashes.

Recalls often come long after defective vehicles have left factory floors and dealership lots, sold to unsuspecting buyers. More than 2.5 million vehicles are currently subject to open, urgent recalls, according to data compiled by CARFAX.

Fortunately, car owners and lessors have some valuable rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. Many do not need to wait for a recall to get defective cars fixed.

The lemon law forces automakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces the companies to buy back - or replace, in some situations - vehicles that they are unable or simply not willing to fix. That includes covering the purchase price and financing costs, along with other related expenses.

There is no set number of repair requests or attempts that must be made before the buyback or replacement obligation kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and explore your options.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.