DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit a clicking, popping, tapping or knocking noise from the front when turning left or right and accelerating. NOTE: The noise could occur at different steering wheel angles or power levels. Due to the insulating properties of the suspension and chassis, it can be difficult to determine which driveshaft is at fault by listening from inside the vehicle. See the attached video for an example of an outer CV joint clicking. Repair Procedure: Replace the affected driveshaft after confirming the source of the noise using chassis ears. Both driveshafts may be faulty; verify each side before replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2024 Mazda CX-50 steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2024 Mazda CX-50 have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2023 CX-50 | 4 |
| 2024 CX-50 (this page) | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 3 steering complaints filed for the 2024 Mazda CX-50, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three primary categories: Noise, Vibration, or Harshness. Many customer complaints may involve overlapping symptoms, such as both noise and vibration, so identifying the dominant characteristic is critical. Once the primary symptom is determined, follow the appropriate diagnostic path. For example, if a concern includes both noise and vibration but is related to vehicle speed, the vibration diagnostic path should be followed. When considering component replacement during the diagnostic process, it is best practice to start wit
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some vehicles may exhibit wear/peel-off of the leather steering wheel surface causing a poor appearance. This concern may be caused by an insufficient wear resistance of the steering wheel surface.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Before judging a steering wheel as having premature wear or a defect, first clean the steering wheel as explained in the repair information. Some vehicles may have steering wheel stains caused by chemicals such as hand lotions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I purchased my vehicle early August 2024 at Knudson Foothills Mazda in Spokane, Washington. Within the first five hundred miles of use, I noticed that my steering wheel would not maintain center alignment. I took it into the shop explaining my issue and they were fast to acknowledge the alignment was off and that they realigned the vehicle. The steering was off center alignment within 20-40 miles…
The contact owns a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel detached from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a stripped steering column bolt. The contact stated that the bolt was torqued back onto the steering column; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by…
Vehicle steering failed and caused the vehicle to go in opposite direction than intended, ended up almost hitting a streetlamp due to this. Issue had happened before and ended up on opposite side of traffic but had attributed it to loss of traction and wet weather at the time, but likely related to this. reported to dealer and they were unable to recreate or find any issue
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2024 Mazda CX-50?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 3,200 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.