Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?

They're very close — both average 76/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Mazda CX-9?

The Buick Enclave has more recalls (10) compared to the Mazda CX-9 (6). 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 Buick Enclave or the Mazda CX-9?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9: Reliability Compared

Buick Enclave

Good

Mazda CX-9

Good

Choosing between the Buick Enclave and the Mazda CX-9? 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Buick Enclave is in its third generation, introduced in 2025. This generation is still early in its cycle, which can sometimes mean manufacturers are addressing initial design issues. The second generation, which ran from 2018 to 2024, included a significant facelift in 2022, typically indicative of a mature and more reliable platform. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 is in its second generation, launched in 2016 and concluding in 2024. This generation had a long run without major redesigns, suggesting a well-sorted and reliable platform by the end of its cycle. Historically, mature platforms like the CX-9's tend to have fewer issues, given the time for manufacturers to refine and resolve earlier concerns.

Verdict

The Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9 are evenly matched with a reliability score of 76/100.

Both the Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9 share an identical average reliability score of 76/100, indicating similar overall dependability. However, the Enclave has a lower owner complaint rate, with 2.6 complaints per 10,000 units sold compared to the CX-9's 15, suggesting better customer satisfaction. The CX-9 has fewer recalls, with 6 over six years, while the Enclave has faced 10 across nine years, and it also benefits from having a specific estimated annual repair cost of $539, which could aid budgeting. While both have common issues in areas like the engine and powertrain, the Enclave's lower complaint rate gives it a slight edge in long-term reliability perception.

Key Differences

1Buick Enclave has 12.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Mazda CX-9 has 4 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

1Buick Enclave

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1Mazda CX-9

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Enclave	Mazda CX-9
Reliability Score	76/100	76/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	10	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.6	15
Year Wins	2	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9?

The Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9 exhibit distinct problem profiles in terms of reliability and safety concerns. The Buick Enclave shows a relatively balanced distribution of complaints across key areas, with notable issues in the electrical system, power train, and service brakes, each with multiple crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 is heavily burdened by engine-related complaints, which constitute a significant portion of its total issues, although it has fewer crash-linked problems in this category. Additionally, the CX-9 has a unique concern with airbags, as all complaints in this category are linked to crashes, highlighting a critical safety issue not prominently present in the Enclave.

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9 common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Enclave	Mazda CX-9
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	5.7Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	2Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	1.5Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	1.2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.7Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
Chest Clip	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Enclave or Mazda CX-9?

The Mazda CX-9 has clear maintenance and repair costs, with an annual expense of $539 and a repair frequency of 0.6 visits per year. Additionally, there's a 10% risk of major repairs. In contrast, specific data for the Buick Enclave is unavailable, which makes direct comparisons challenging. However, if we consider typical industry estimates, the CX-9's repair costs translate to roughly $2,695 over five years, providing a concrete figure for budgeting. For cost-conscious buyers, the Mazda CX-9 appears to be the better value due to its transparent and predictable maintenance costs, moderate repair frequency, and defined major repair risk, allowing for more accurate long-term financial planning.

How Does Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9 Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Enclave	Mazda CX-9	Edge
2023	79/1000R / 17C	81/1000R / 12C	Mazda CX-9
2022	76/1001R / 12C	81/1000R / 9C	Mazda CX-9
2021	75/1002R / 21C	77/1001R / 35C	Mazda CX-9
2020	68/1006R / 48C	78/1001R / 19C	Mazda CX-9
2019	75/1001R / 38C	73/1002R / 52C	Buick Enclave
2018	75/1000R / 60C	66/1002R / 125C	Buick Enclave

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Buick Enclave scored 79/100 and the 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Enclave vs the Mazda CX-9?

If you prioritize fewer recalls and lower major repair risk, consider the Mazda CX-9. With only 6 recalls and a 10% major repair risk, it may offer a more dependable experience. The independent repair cost estimate of $539 annually is reasonable, and the repair frequency is moderate at 0.6 times per year. However, be aware of the higher owner complaints rate, at 15 per 10,000 sold. For those focusing on minimizing complaints and addressing fewer common issues, the Buick Enclave could be the better choice. It has a lower owner complaints rate of 2.6 per 10,000 sold, suggesting greater satisfaction among owners. Although it has experienced 10 recalls, it could still be appealing if you value a quieter ownership experience. Consider this model if you are less concerned about possible electrical and power train issues.

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9: Common Questions

Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?: They're very close — both average 76/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Mazda CX-9?: The Buick Enclave has more recalls (10) compared to the Mazda CX-9 (6). 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 Buick Enclave or the Mazda CX-9?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Buick Enclave comparisons

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More Mazda CX-9 comparisons

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander reliability Mazda CX-9 vs Hyundai Palisade reliability Mazda CX-9 vs Honda Pilot reliability Mazda CX-9 vs KIA Telluride reliability Mazda CX-9 reliability by year Mazda CX-9 years to avoid

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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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue