Mazda CX-90 Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Defective Brakes and Lane-Keep Assist

Mazda is facing a new class action lawsuit over its flagship three-row SUV, the CX-90. The suit alleges that 2024–2026 model year CX-90s suffer from defective brakes that deteriorate prematurely and a Lane-Keep Assist system that allegedly fights the driver instead of helping them.

The lawsuit was filed on March 17, 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia by plaintiff James R. Burnell. According to the complaint, the CX-90's braking system components wear down far sooner than they should — sometimes within the first 1,000 miles — causing loud, high-pitched squealing and vibration during normal driving. Brake pads on most vehicles are expected to last between 30,000 and 65,000 miles.

But the brakes are only half the problem. The lawsuit also alleges that the CX-90's Lane-Keep Assist system — designed to gently steer drivers back into their lane — can apply forceful steering that works against the driver's input. Instead of a subtle correction, the complaint describes a system that allegedly takes over in ways drivers don't expect, creating a tug-of-war between the car and the person behind the wheel.

How it started

Burnell purchased a 2024 CX-90 and returned it the very next day because the Lane-Keep Assist system allegedly stayed engaged when it shouldn't have. He then bought a second 2024 CX-90 — and according to the lawsuit, the same problems followed. Over the course of nearly a year, Burnell says he brought the SUV to Mazda dealerships multiple times, only to be told the issues were "normal." At one point, a dealership reportedly deemed the brake defects "unfixable." The lawsuit claims the vehicle spent approximately 36 days at dealerships without a permanent fix.

This isn't the first time

This is actually the second class action targeting CX-90 brakes. A previous lawsuit filed by New York plaintiff Daniel Green in 2025 was settled earlier this month — but only for Green individually. The broader class claims were dismissed, meaning other CX-90 owners got nothing from that case.

On top of that, roughly 43,000 CX-90s are currently under a federal investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) over a steering-related recall that allegedly didn't fix the problem. The original recall addressed a "sticky steering" issue, but after the repair, 26 complaints were filed reporting the problem persisted — and the failed fix has been linked to at least two crashes.

Who this affects

The lawsuit currently seeks to represent all individuals in Virginia who purchased or leased a 2024–2026 Mazda CX-90 for personal, family, or household use. However, given the scope of the allegations and the NHTSA investigation, CX-90 owners nationwide may want to pay attention.

There is no settlement yet, but this is a developing case worth tracking.

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