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

No, they are effectively tied, and both have a good reliability standing. The Enclave has far fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, but it also has more recalls. The CX-9 has more engine complaints, mainly coolant leaks and overheating.

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

The Enclave has more. Federal recall records show 10 recalls across 9 model years for the Enclave and 6 across 6 model years for the CX-9. Check the VIN of any specific car for open recalls before buying.

Which Mazda CX-9 years should I avoid?

Avoid 2018 and 2019, the weakest years in the data. The 2022 and 2023 models rank strongest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints. Whatever the year, ask about coolant leaks, overheating, and oil consumption.

What is the most common Buick Enclave problem?

Electrical complaints lead, mostly the power liftgate opening by itself while parked, locked, or switched off. Power train and brakes follow closely. Owners report hard shifting, a transmission that slams into park, and grinding brakes within the first 1,000 miles.

Do either of these SUVs have crash-linked complaints?

Yes, both do. The Enclave has crash-linked reports in electrical, power train, and brakes. The CX-9 has them in power train, brakes, and steering. Only the Enclave has crash-linked electrical reports, and only the CX-9 has a crash-linked steering report.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9: Reliability Compared

Buick Enclave

Good

Mazda CX-9

Good

Reliability is effectively tied between the Buick Enclave and the Mazda CX-9. The Enclave draws far fewer complaints per car sold, but has more recalls. The CX-9 struggles with coolant leaks and overheating, while the Enclave has brake noise and a liftgate that opens on its own.

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

Most used Enclaves you will see belong to the second generation, which ran from the 2018 model year through 2024 and got a refresh in 2022. That refresh splits the group into earlier and later builds. A third generation began with the 2025 model year, so 2025 and 2026 cars are the newest design and have had little time to collect complaints. The CX-9 sat in one generation across the whole 2018 to 2023 range. That second generation began in 2016, and no mid-cycle facelift is listed for it. For CX-9 shoppers, model year matters more than generation.

Verdict

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

Neither one wins. Both land at a good reliability standing, and the data balances out. The Enclave draws far fewer owner complaints per vehicle sold, but it has more recalls and crash-linked problems in its transmission, brakes, and electrical system. The CX-9 draws more complaints, with most tied to engine coolant leaks and overheating. Pick on the specific failures you can live with, and on the model year, rather than on the badge.

Key Differences

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

Category Scoreboard

1Buick Enclave

—

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?

A power liftgate that opens by itself, a transmission that slams into park or surges after shifting into drive, and brakes that grind within the first 1,000 miles mark the Enclave's profile. Its front exhaust pipe bracket can also break, raising fume worries. The CX-9's biggest issue is coolant leaking at the cylinder head, which brings overheating and limp mode. It also has sudden electrical shutdowns and electronic parking brake faults. Only the Enclave has crash-linked electrical complaints. Only the CX-9 has a crash-linked steering report.

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
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
Chest Clip	—None	0.1Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None

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

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 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

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

Choose the Enclave if you want the lower complaint rate and can accept a bigger recall history. It suits you if brake noise and a quirky liftgate are tolerable annoyances. Target 2023, its strongest year with real time on the road. Avoid 2020 and 2019, its weakest years. The 2026 model ranks well too, but it has had little time to collect complaints, so do not read that as proof. Test the liftgate and the shifting from a stop before you sign. Choose the CX-9 if you want a smaller recall history and can live with engine risk. It fits if you will check for coolant leaks and overheating history. Target 2022 or 2023, its strongest years, and skip 2018 and 2019, its weakest. Ask for service records showing coolant and oil consumption checks. Have a mechanic look at the cylinder head area, because owners say Mazda turned down goodwill requests for that repair.

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-9: Common Questions

Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?: No, they are effectively tied, and both have a good reliability standing. The Enclave has far fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, but it also has more recalls. The CX-9 has more engine complaints, mainly coolant leaks and overheating.
Which has more recalls, the Enclave or the CX-9?: The Enclave has more. Federal recall records show 10 recalls across 9 model years for the Enclave and 6 across 6 model years for the CX-9. Check the VIN of any specific car for open recalls before buying.
Which Mazda CX-9 years should I avoid?: Avoid 2018 and 2019, the weakest years in the data. The 2022 and 2023 models rank strongest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints. Whatever the year, ask about coolant leaks, overheating, and oil consumption.
What is the most common Buick Enclave problem?: Electrical complaints lead, mostly the power liftgate opening by itself while parked, locked, or switched off. Power train and brakes follow closely. Owners report hard shifting, a transmission that slams into park, and grinding brakes within the first 1,000 miles.
Do either of these SUVs have crash-linked complaints?: Yes, both do. The Enclave has crash-linked reports in electrical, power train, and brakes. The CX-9 has them in power train, brakes, and steering. Only the Enclave has crash-linked electrical reports, and only the CX-9 has a crash-linked steering report.

More Buick Enclave comparisons

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More Mazda CX-9 comparisons

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Decided between Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-9

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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