Home · 2020 · Mazda

2020 Mazda Cx-90 Phev

Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age. Inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.

Recalls, complaint breakdown & inspection checklist, all in a shareable PDF

19 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 18, 2026 · source: NHTSA

Buywillitcar.com

Why buy?

Complaints are still coming in strong late in this car's life, a chronic-problem pattern, not early teething.

Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.

Score breakdown, by factor

Full methodology →

#24 of 389Among the 2020 models with a matured record, the 2020 Mazda Cx-90 Phev ranks #24, scoring higher than 88% of them. See the 2020 ranking →

Complaint volume100
Severity93
Recall load100
Trend40

Complaints filed per year

Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.

20202026 YTD

How it crashes

NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.

5/5 overall

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2020 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD

Front crash
Side crash
Rollover

Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 16%

Stability control: StandardForward collision warning: StandardLane departure warning: Standard

No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.

NHTSA crash-test photo, 2020 Mazda CX-9 SUV AWD

Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.

The road ahead

What breaks on a 2020 Mazda Cx-90 Phev, plotted where owners report it happening.

030k mi60k mi90k mi120k mi

Also reported (mileage varies): Engine (5)

Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.

Engine

26%

5 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years

Excessive oil consumption. In less than 3000 miles, I have to add a quart of oil

Read the engine complaints →

Electrical system

21%

4 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years

The information screen is getting 'spider cracks" spreading across the face and turning opaque making the information unreadable. Mazda is apparently aware of this def…

Read the electrical system complaints →

Fuel system

16%

3 complaints · 3 in the last 2 years

The mazda Cx-9 is having the same fuel pump issues that was recalled up until 2018 models. The issue with the lean codes and faulty fuel pump continues

Read the fuel system complaints →

Brakes

11%

2 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years

I've had it repaired for over 30+ times. I'm tired of the car not being fixed. The last visit I was told maybe its the way I drive.

Read the brakes complaints →

Check it against this car’s mileage

Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.

miles

Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.

Read all 19 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 1 crash/fire/injury reports →

Recalls (1)

Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.

Seats · 21V750000

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-9 vehicles equipped with 60/40 split bench second-row seats. The left-side second-row seat may unexpectedly slide forward during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Risk: A seat that slides forward during a crash can transfer excessive force onto a belted occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the internal parts of the affected second-row seats, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5221I.

Questions to ask the seller

Questions worth asking the seller of this Mazda before you buy, drawn from its public record:

  1. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2020 Mazda Cx-90 Phev. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
  2. Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
  3. Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
  4. How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
  5. Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?

Before you hand over money

Check the VIN for open recalls

NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.

Free NHTSA VIN check

Get a pre-purchase inspection

A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2020 Mazda CX-90 PHEV beats every score on the internet, including ours.

What to ask for

Not set on the 2020? See how every Cx-90 Phev model year scores →

Cross-shopping? Compare the 2020 Mazda Cx-90 Phev against another car →

What owners say

Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.

See what owners are saying about other cars →

The fine print: this verdict is computed from public NHTSA complaint and recall records for the 2020 Mazda Cx-90 Phev as a model, not for any individual car. A well-maintained example of an “Avoid” can outlast a neglected “Buy”. Informational only, so always get a professional pre-purchase inspection.