The Mazda CX90 PHEVs i-activesense system that controls the adaptive cruise, lane departure and lane keep assist system disables at random times with a message "i-activesense temporarily disabled. front radar obstructed." There is never any objects obstructing the radars and no outside weather/elements affecting it. It will not turn back on either, even though it should turn back on if the obstruction is cleared from the radars/sensors. Since there isnt anything to clear when it happens, it stays disabled unless the vehicle is turned off completely and back on. I have had this vehicle for 2 weeks and it has disabled on the interstate traveling 70+ mph and on city roads in congested traffic over 15 times. When it happens with the cruise control enabled, it immediately begins decelerating quickly, causing a safety issue when on the interstate at high speeds. Was brought back to service 24 hours after acquiring the vehicle but Mazda cannot seem to figure out what is wrong with it. Its a huge safety issue when it all disables and the car quickly decelerates without any warning. Has happened on multiple dates, at least 15 times in 2 weeks, at various speeds with 75 mph being the fastest.
Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid adaptive cruise problems
11 of the 108 owner complaints about the Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid describe adaptive cruise control problems, most of them for the 2024 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2024
By model year
- 20251
- 202410
Often reported together
What owners say
The vehicle does not slow down or reduce speed until the brake pedal is pressed at least 1/5 of the way down when using cruise control. The brake light turns on, but the car continues to accelerate.
Mazda Radar Cruise Control - while on [XXX] and passing a truck that is in the right-hand lane, especially on curves, my CX-90 PHEV system brakes, but there is no vehicle in front of me. It has difficulty determining what is in front as opposed to on the side, especially through curves. This happened more than once. I almost got rear-ended due to this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On July 15, 2024 this vehicle at 50 mph on cruise control suddenly flashed white warning words indicating problems with the cruise control and immediately thereafter started flashing “hybrid malfunction” and to return to service dealer. At the time of the hybrid malfunction warning which was right after the quick cruise control warning, the engine operation, specifically the gas pedal no longer delivered power to vehicle, either electric or gas. Additional warning was to pull off to the side and stop and turn off vehicle. This occurred and vehicle was pulled to the side put into park and turned off. Waited approximately 3 to 5 minutes and restarted the engine which started in gas with no electric although there was electrical charge on the battery. Was able to continue to our final destination approximately 15 minutes later and no more than 10 miles driven. Hybrid malfunction was still visible on the dash to include the warning stating that vehicle needed to go to the service department. Approximately an hour later, vehicle was turned on again with the same warning about the hybrid malfunction, however, engine started in electric. Drove vehicle to dealership and stated what happened. Dealership the next day stated that this was a phantom code known by Mazda, but no problems associated with the code. Vehicle picked up per service advisors request two days later. Mazda dealership stated that headquarters had eyes on this particular vehicle. A day later after the pick up Mazda dealership requested vehicle be brought back for a “DC box” repair. Dealership stated this process would take a week or thereabouts to replace this component. Vehicle currently in dealership service.
When cruise control is active but slower than set speed vehicle will full throttle acceleration to get to set speed creating a situation where loss of control of the vehicle partially occurs. If this happened in wet or winter conditions loss of vehicle control is very possible.
When using adaptive cruise control on multiple lane highways/freeways the vehicle detects other cars/trucks that are in other lanes as being in your lane. (Shows on the dash display as in your lane). This fools the vehicle into believing it needs to make an emergency brake as a vehicle is in your lane and a crash is imminent when no such maneuver is necessary. This could cause a rear end crash or loss of control of the vehicle when it brakes unexpectedly with no real world cause. This has been an issue since vehicle is owned (July 2023) it is also widespread with this specific model [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting a safety problem with the adaptive cruise control feature of my 2023 Mazda CX-90. The adaptive cruise control system does not detect the lanes correctly and applies the brakes unnecessarily, even when there are no cars in front of me. This happens especially on curves and when there are trucks on other lanes. This is very dangerous and I have been close to be rear-ended several times. I do not feel safe driving this car with this feature on. I haven't contacted my dealer, but it seems to be a well known issue for many owners. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
This vehicle at highway speeds will suddenly brake when intuitive cruise control is engaged. It mainly does this when the hwy is not straight and there is a vehicle ahead in a different lane or if there is a concrete median on either side. It’s not safe to be going 70-78mph and have your vehicle brake and bring speed down to 50-60. I’ve had intuitive cruise control on 3 other vehicles and none of them did this. Vehicles following become upset when vehicle brakes with no vehicle ahead of us. Also, it’s a danger of being rear ended or causing a road range incident when someone behind you thinks you are brake checking them.
while passing a truck that is in the right hand lane, adaptive cruise control will pick up a vehicle straight ahead and hit the brakes hard. Issue - there is no vehicle in front of you. Almost got rear ended due to this issue.
Drive on freeway with Mazda Radar Cruise Control engaged. When the road curves slightly, the radar picks up the car in the right lane next to me as a car in front of me and slams the brakes. It’s a dangerous situation when the traffic is moving at least 65 miles per hour.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid adaptive cruise
Which Mazda CX-90 Plug-In Hybrid years have adaptive cruise control problems problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2024 (10 complaints) and 2025 (1 complaints).
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