Mazda

CX-60 KH inspection checklist

2023-2026 · 12 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

All engines

highMultiple software recalls and customer-satisfaction campaigns

Look for: The CX-60 and its CX-90 sibling have been subject to several Australian recalls and campaigns since launch: a diesel TCM clutch-disengagement fault, a mild-hybrid i-stop restart and safety-systems fault, a PHEV fail-safe loss-of-power campaign, and a PHEV high-voltage battery cooling fault.

If you find it: Run the VIN through Mazda Australia / Product Safety recall checks and confirm every outstanding recall and software campaign has been completed before buying.

Any (2023-2024) · Recall (free)

mediumClunky multi-clutch 8-speed automatic (range-wide trait)

Look for: All CX-60s use an in-house wet multi-clutch 8-speed (not a torque-converter auto), which shunts, hesitates and delivers shift shock at low speed, during creep and parking, and on quick changes of throttle. It is the defining CX-60 complaint and the root of much of the early bad press. Mazda treats most cases as customer-satisfaction software campaigns rather than warranty repairs.

If you find it: Ensure the TCM/PCM/VCM software updates and MY2025 recalibration are applied; the transmission also adapts and smooths over time. Test-drive extensively at low speed before purchase.

Any · ~$0 (software) to investigation

mediumFirm, busy ride (pre-MY2025) and suspension recalibration

Look for: Launch cars were criticised for an overly firm, jittery ride that reacted harshly to small bumps. For MY2025 Mazda fitted softer rear springs and revised damping (firmer front compression, more rear rebound) and retuned the steering, AWD and stability systems to improve comfort and composure.

If you find it: Prefer a MY2025-onwards car, or have the revised suspension tune/components fitted; verify whether the update was applied to an earlier car.

Any (2023-2024) · Recalibration to suspension parts

mediumUnproven long-term reliability (new platform and powertrains)

Look for: The Large Product platform, the inline-six mild-hybrid engines, the PHEV system and the multi-clutch 8-speed are all new and have no long high-km track record in Australia. Early life has been dominated by driveline refinement and recall issues rather than catastrophic failures.

If you find it: Buy within manufacturer warranty, insist on complete recall/campaign history and dealer service records, and budget conservatively given the unknowns.

Any · Varies

3.3L G40e turbo-petrol inline-six (mild hybrid)

highMild-hybrid i-stop restart / safety-systems fault (recall)

Look for: A 2024 Australian recall on petrol/diesel mild-hybrid CX-60s: the engine may fail to automatically restart after idle-stop (i-stop), with multiple warning messages, the engine warning light, and seat-belt warning and 360-degree camera functions potentially affected.

If you find it: Confirm the recall (software reprogramming) has been completed via the VIN; have any uncompleted recall actioned by Mazda.

Any (2023-2024 build) · Recall (free)

mediumFirm, busy ride (pre-MY2025 suspension tune)

Look for: Launch cars were widely criticised for a firm, jittery ride that crashed over small bumps - dampers too sensitive on Australian surfaces. Mazda responded with softer rear springs, revised front/rear damping and retuned steering/AWD/stability for MY2025.

If you find it: Prefer a MY2025 car, or have the updated suspension calibration/components fitted; check whether the revised tune was applied.

Any (2023-2024) · Recalibration (dealer) to suspension parts

3.3L D50e turbo-diesel inline-six (mild hybrid)

highTransmission clutch disengagement on braking (recall)

Look for: An Australian recall on diesel CX-60/CX-90: a transmission control module software issue means that if the brake is pressed firmly to stop, the clutch between engine and electric motor may remain disengaged during deceleration, affecting drive/engine braking and restart behaviour.

If you find it: Confirm the TCM recall (software update) is complete on the VIN; have Mazda action it if outstanding.

Any (2023-2024 diesel) · Recall (free)

mediumDPF / EGR soot fouling on short-trip use

Look for: Like all modern common-rail diesels with a DPF, short urban trips that never complete a regeneration lead to DPF blockage, EGR/intake soot, forced regens and potential limp mode. Too new to be widespread but the standard diesel caveat applies.

If you find it: Do regular highway runs so the DPF can regen; service on time with correct low-ash oil; avoid the diesel if you only do short urban trips.

Any (worse on short urban trips) · ~$300-2500+

2.5L P50e plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

highFail-safe drive mode / loss of motive power (recall)

Look for: A 2023 Australian recall (campaign R202302) on PHEV CX-60s: a programming issue could unintentionally activate the fail-safe driving mode, resulting in a loss of motive power while driving.

If you find it: Confirm the PHEV recall (software reprogramming) is complete on the VIN; have Mazda action it if outstanding.

Any (2023 PHEV) · Recall (free)

highHigh-voltage battery cooling fault (recall)

Look for: A 2024 Australian recall on PHEV CX-60s: the high-voltage battery cooling system may not operate as intended, and EV drive mode may become unavailable as a result.

If you find it: Confirm the battery-cooling recall is complete; have any cooling-system rectification carried out by Mazda.

Any (2023-2024 PHEV) · Recall (free)

mediumDriveline clunk on engine wake-up plus low-speed shift shock

Look for: Owners report a clunky feeling when the petrol engine cuts in and during some gear changes, on top of the range-wide multi-clutch 8-speed jerkiness. Normal mode behaves better than constantly toggling EV/Sport, and it improves as the car adapts.

If you find it: Apply the TCM/PCM/VCM software campaigns; favour Normal mode; test at low speed and through EV-to-engine transitions before buying.

Any · ~$0 (software) to investigation

2 of 3 engines

mediumJerky / clunky low-speed shifts (multi-clutch 8-speed auto)

Look for: The in-house wet multi-clutch 8-speed (no torque converter) shunts, hesitates and delivers shift shock at low speed and during creep, parking and tip-in - the single most-reported CX-60 complaint. It is driveline behaviour rather than a failure, but it can feel like a fault to buyers.

If you find it: Apply Mazda's TCM/PCM/VCM software updates (customer-satisfaction campaigns) and the MY2025 transmission recalibration; the gearbox also 'learns' and improves over time. Test-drive at low speed before buying.

Any (worst on early build) · ~$0 (software) to investigation

1 minor thing (low severity)

lowCabin road / tyre noise and tight rear packaging

Look for: Reviewers noted excess tyre and transmission noise at launch and the rear-drive-biased packaging gives a tighter back seat and a high transmission tunnel for the class. Not faults, but known traits worth checking against family needs.

If you find it: Quieter tyres help road noise; assess rear-seat space for your needs on inspection.

Any · Varies

From FlamingCars' Mazda CX-60 guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.