2024 Mazda CX-90 Lemon Law Buyback in Washington
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our client bought a new 2024 Mazda CX-90 in Washington in July 2024. Over 6 repair visits it had headlamp failures on both sides, a transmission grinding noise with no available fix, brake noise and hard shifts. It spent 43 days out of service before Mazda repurchased it for a total of $51,749.
The vehicle and its defects
This CX-90 was bought new on July 4, 2024, with 86 miles on the odometer. The first repair visit came at 1,758 miles, only weeks after delivery.
Several systems gave trouble. The headlamp malfunction warning kept returning until both headlamp assemblies had been replaced. A grinding noise in drive and reverse would not go away, and later a loud grind appeared when the hybrid system restarted the engine. The owner also reported a rear axle clunk, brake noise, hard shifts when cold, a steering wheel that pushed toward the dash, frozen HVAC controls and a misreading outside temperature sensor.
| Vehicle | 2024 Mazda CX-90 |
|---|---|
| State | Washington |
| Purchase | Bought new, July 2024 |
| Repair visits | 6 |
| Mileage at first repair | 1,758 |
| Days out of service | 43 |
| Resolution | Buyback, settled June 2026 |
| Total | $51,749 |
The repair record
Between July 2024 and October 2025 the CX-90 went in for repairs 6 times and spent 43 days out of service. The first visit was made at 1,758 miles.
- July 25, 2024
The owner reported that the ambient temperature sensor read far below the actual temperature on startup. The record does not show a repair for this complaint.
- December 11, 2024
A headlight system malfunction alert showed up in the Mazda app. Technicians found a headlight fault code and updated the adaptive front lighting software under a Mazda bulletin. The owner also reported a clunk from the rear axle when coming to a stop.
- January 14, 2025
The headlamp warning light was coming on and going off, and the auto start-stop system could not be turned off. Neither complaint had any recorded reason or solution. Recalls for ECU reprogramming, the defroster and seat belts were done at this visit.
- January 23, 2025
The headlamp malfunction light was on again. Technicians found the same fault code and replaced the left headlamp assembly.
- April 25–May 22, 2025
Technicians verified an intermittent grinding noise in drive and reverse, and Mazda's techline said it knew of the condition but had no repair yet. They treated a rotational brake noise by burnishing the pads and applying brake quiet compound, and they replaced the passenger-side headlamp when the warning came back. Complaints about the steering wheel pushing toward the dash and frozen HVAC controls could not be duplicated, and the liftgate foot sensor was called normal. The owner said the dealership had recommended a new transmission but Mazda declined and only did a reprogramming, and the dealer disagreed with Mazda's view that the grinding was normal.
- October 6–16, 2025
A loud grinding noise appeared when the engine restarted from start-stop or when the hybrid system restarted at low speed. Technicians verified it and ran TCM initial learning, powertrain start-up learning and shift range learning, then repeated those steps for a clunk and hard shift when cold. An intermittent failure to accelerate could not be duplicated, and the owner also reported a loud cabin noise. A BCM recall was completed.
Washington Lemon Law - Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement and federal warranty law
Washington's Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement law (Wash. Rev. Code §19.118.005 to §19.118.911) covers new vehicles, motorcycles included, bought or leased in the state for personal, family or household use. During the eligibility period, which ends 2 years after delivery or at 24,000 miles, a vehicle can qualify after 4 repair attempts on the same defect, after 2 for a serious safety defect, or after 30 cumulative calendar days out of service. Every visit here fell within 2 years of the July 2024 delivery, and the file lists 23,335 miles, still under 24,000. The record showed 6 repair visits and 43 days out of service, with the headlamp fault on 4 visits and the grinding noise on 2, which is the kind of record the statute's 4-attempt and 30-day tests look at.
Washington uses state-certified arbitration through the Attorney General's office, owners can request it up to 30 months from delivery, and remedies include replacement, refund or restitution. When a consumer prevails under the statute, the manufacturer pays the consumer's attorney fees. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.) can add a written-warranty claim, and it may allow recovery of attorney fees as well.
- Statute
- Washington Lemon Law - Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement, Wash. Rev. Code §19.118.005 to §19.118.911
- Repair test
- 4 repair attempts for the same defect (or 2 for serious safety defects), or 30 cumulative calendar days out of service
- Time limit
- Within 30 months from the date of original delivery
- Federal law
- Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.
More on Washington: Washington lemon law attorney page and how to file a lemon law claim in Washington.
How RockPoint built the claim
The headlamp problem gave the claim a clean repeat defect. The same warning came back across four visits, and the fix moved from a software update to replacing one headlamp and then the other. The transmission grinding mattered too, because Mazda's own techline acknowledged the condition and said no repair was available.
The rest of the record filled in the picture. Forty-three days out of service is more than the 30 days the statute counts, and the owner reports that the dealer disagreed with Mazda's view that the grinding was normal.
The outcome
The case settled in June 2026, and Mazda repurchased the CX-90 in a buyback. The total value of the resolution was $51,749, or $51,749.30 exactly. That sum covered paying off the loan, the amount paid to our client and attorney fees.
Questions about this case
Washington looks for 4 attempts on the same defect, or 2 for a serious safety defect, during the eligibility period. A vehicle out of service for 30 cumulative calendar days can also qualify. This CX-90 had 6 visits and 43 days out of service.
The eligibility period ends 2 years after delivery or at 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. An owner can request state arbitration up to 30 months from original delivery.
Yes. It covers new vehicles purchased or leased in Washington for personal, family or household use, and it also covers motorcycles.
Yes, it can run alongside a state claim. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301 et seq.) applies to written warranties and may allow recovery of attorney fees.
The total value was $51,749. That covered the loan payoff, the payment to our client and attorney fees.
Is your vehicle back at the dealer again?
Send us your repair orders for a free review of whether your state's lemon law covers your vehicle.