Is the Acura MDX more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?

Based on our data, the Acura MDX is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Acura MDX or the Mazda CX-90?

The Acura MDX has more recalls (31) compared to the Mazda CX-90 (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura MDX or the Mazda CX-90?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Acura MDX has a lower complaint rate at 6.7 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Acura MDX or Mazda CX-90 safer?

Both the Acura MDX and Mazda CX-90 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Acura MDX vs Mazda CX-90: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Acura MDX

Good

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Choosing between the Acura MDX and the Mazda CX-90? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Acura MDX currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura MDX and Mazda CX-90 Generations Compare?

The Acura MDX is currently in its fourth generation, last redesigned in 2022. As it is relatively early in its generation cycle, there might be potential for first-year issues, which can be typical as manufacturers work out initial kinks. The MDX has seen significant updates with each generation, with the most recent facelift planned for 2025. On the other hand, the Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation, introduced in 2024. With new platforms, like the CX-90's, there can also be teething problems as the model is refined. Buyers prioritizing reliability might consider that mature platforms, like the MDX, tend to be more well-sorted over time.

Verdict

The Acura MDX is more reliable than the Mazda CX-90, scoring 71/100 vs 51/100.

The Acura MDX demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 82/100 compared to the Mazda CX-90's 51/100. While both models have faced recalls, the MDX's rate is more manageable with 31 over eight years, whereas the CX-90 has 13 in just three years. Significantly, the MDX has a much lower complaint rate of 6.7 per 10,000 sold versus the CX-90's 111.2, indicating greater owner satisfaction. Additionally, the MDX's estimated annual repair cost of $571 suggests more predictable maintenance expenses.

Key Differences

1Acura MDX has 104.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Acura MDX scores 20 points higher in reliability
3Mazda CX-90 has 18 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2Acura MDX

—

1Mazda CX-90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Acura MDX vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura MDX vs Mazda CX-90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura MDX	Mazda CX-90
Reliability Score	71/100	51/100
Years Tracked	8	3
Total Recalls	31	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.7	111.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura MDX and Mazda CX-90?

The Acura MDX exhibits a higher volume of complaints with 692 total, prominently in the electrical system (109 complaints) and power train (94 complaints), both of which include crash-linked incidents. The MDX also shows significant issues in engine-related categories and forward collision avoidance, but none dominate the crash-linked statistics. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 has fewer total complaints at 280, yet the steering system stands out with 80 complaints, 5 of which are crash-linked, indicating a notable area of concern. While both vehicles have crash-linked issues in the electrical system, the CX-90's steering problems are a more severe concern compared to the MDX's broader distribution across multiple components.

Acura MDX vs Mazda CX-90 common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura MDX	Mazda CX-90
STEERING	0.3Very Low	31.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.1Low	17.5High
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.4Very Low	11.5Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	8.3Above Avg
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	6.8Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.3Very Low	6.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4Average
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	2.8Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	2Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	1.6Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.6Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura MDX or Mazda CX-90?

The Acura MDX carries an annual repair cost of $571, with an average of 0.4 repair shop visits per year and an 8% risk of major repairs. This means that over five years, an Acura MDX owner might expect to spend approximately $2,855 on repairs and face a relatively low frequency of significant issues. Without specific cost data for the Mazda CX-90, it's challenging to make a direct cost comparison. However, the Acura MDX's low repair frequency and moderate major repair risk suggest it could be a more predictable choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking reliability and manageable maintenance expenses.

How Does Acura MDX vs Mazda CX-90 Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura MDX vs Mazda CX-90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura MDX	Mazda CX-90	Edge
2025	76/1002R / 32C	63/1002R / 21C	Acura MDX
2024	79/1001R / 30C	38/10011R / 259C	Acura MDX
2026(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	51/100(predicted)	Acura MDX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Acura MDX scored 79/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 scored 63/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura MDX vs the Mazda CX-90?

If you prioritize reliability and lower ownership costs, the Acura MDX is the better choice. With a reliability score of 82/100, it stands out as a dependable option. Its estimated annual repair cost is $571, and it has a repair frequency of only 0.4 times per year. Although it has 31 total recalls, the owner complaints per 10,000 sold are significantly lower at 6.7, indicating fewer issues experienced by drivers. On the other hand, if you are considering the Mazda CX-90, be aware that its reliability score is lower at 51/100. While it has fewer total recalls at 13, the owner complaints per 10,000 sold are much higher at 111.2, suggesting potential concerns in areas like steering and forward collision avoidance. If these factors are critical for you, the Acura MDX may offer a more reassuring ownership experience.

Acura MDX vs Mazda CX-90: Common Questions

Is the Acura MDX more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?: Based on our data, the Acura MDX is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Acura MDX or the Mazda CX-90?: The Acura MDX has more recalls (31) compared to the Mazda CX-90 (13). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura MDX or the Mazda CX-90?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Acura MDX has a lower complaint rate at 6.7 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Acura MDX or Mazda CX-90 safer?: Both the Acura MDX and Mazda CX-90 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Acura MDX comparisons

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More Mazda CX-90 comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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