My CX90 Turbo S PP with 7000 miles have similar steering issues and it has been getting worse since November. I first noticed that the lane centering wasn't working as well as it used to, then the notchy/sticky steering feel would occur randomly and getting worse over time. I was having difficulties staying in my lane on the freeway today. I reached out to the Mazda service manager again inquiring about the steering recall and he kept telling me it's not yet available to the consumers yet. I was hoping the steering recall would solve the issue, but I'm not so sure now, after hearing you say that yours is not related to the steering recall. I'm taking my car to the Mazda service in the morning to see what they say.

 

Took my car in this morning and I was finally able to convince the Mazda dealership service manager that my steering issue is serious. They were able to get authorization from Mazda to go ahead and performed recall 6524A. The steering is now back to normal and hopefully it is not just a temporary fix with this "Spring Kit Part# K1Y0-32FX-8A" installed.

 

Thanks for the update. I am going to call my dealer in the morning to see if they have this new Spring Kit. Just wondering. How long did it take to actually have this installed? I live just over 35 miles from my dealer so I need to know whether I can wait for the repair to be done in 2 or 3 hours, or, need a loaner like I did when they recently did my SSPD's 2 and 4 upgrades, and, checked some other issues that needed attention where they needed it overnight.

 

SHOULD THE STEERING EFFORT ON A BASE TURBO MODEL BE SIGNIFICANTLY LIGHTER THAN A PHEV?

My PHEV Premium Plus is currently at the dealer trying to see if they can fix the issue with the cruise control slowing down for phantom vehicles. They gave me a CX-90 base Turbo Preferred Plus for a loaner.

I got in the vehicle and I was driving off the lot when I stopped suddenly, turned around, and went back into the service department.

The steering effort was crazy light!!! It was so much lighter than in my CX90 PHEV I asked them to check my steering because compared to my PHEV the steering in the base Turbo was like steering a different vehicle.

I asked about the steering repair and they told me it is still not available and I should wait for a recall letter.

Now, we all know that one of the “complaints “ about the CX90 is the heavy steering effort. I actually like it, especially at speed on the highway. The Base Turbo still felt stable and controlled on the highway as well, but lighter at parking lot speeds.

Is this normal? Is my PHEV steering supposed to be that much heavier? Is this a result of the heavier vehicle OR is it a possible sign that I need the steering wheel fix?

 

IMO, it doesn't matter the steering is heavy or light, as long as it's smooth and precise. But it's really abnormal that the steering feels quite differently within the same model.
I had a VW Bora long time ago, which was a hydro powered steering. I think that's the source of me loving heavy steering.

 

My steering feels much tighter/heavier after the work gear fix.
Did they have an answer for why there was such a major difference between two similar trucks

 

It's probably not related to the off-road mode, I had the same steering issue as you did.
Mine is CX90 PP, 275 R21 tires. I found this issue after I drove few hundred miles, just as you said, hard to keep in lane center. When I have to keep an angle in curve, I can feel the steering wheel is fighting back. When vehicle in park, I steer to the left/right most, the steering wheel also fights back. I even got a trauma every time I drove it.
I got a loaner CX90 because I turned my car in for battery replacement, and I felt instant difference when I drove the loaner back home. The steering was same heavy, but much more smooth and precise.

 

I did the recall around 6k miles since I did notice the steering wheel was having an extra effort after higher velocity turns. Now, at 9.9 k, the steering wheel/gear is catching again! I'll have to bring it up at the recall fix for some brake emission trigger thing.

 

I had the same jerky/notchy steering wheel. Took me 3 visits to the dealership to acknowledge the issue. They replaced the steering column under warranty. That took a week. Fingers crossed for the future.

I’m seriously considering getting MAP (extended warranty) before 36 months cross.

2024 Mazda Base MHEV GS-L Trim (Canada)
Bought July 2023
42,000 kms