Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Mazda CX-90?

The Mazda CX-90 has more recalls (13) compared to the Buick Enclave (10). 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-90?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-90: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Enclave

Good

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Choosing between the Buick Enclave 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 Buick Enclave currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-90 Generations Compare?

As of May 2026, the Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation, which launched in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, this model may encounter typical first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial production kinks. In contrast, the Buick Enclave is in its third generation, introduced in 2025. The Enclave's previous second generation, which spanned from 2018 to 2024, included a significant refresh in 2022, suggesting a more mature and refined platform by the end of its cycle. Generally, mature platforms, like the Enclave's second generation, tend to be more reliable due to refinements over time.

Verdict

The Buick Enclave is more reliable than the Mazda CX-90, scoring 75/100 vs 51/100.

The Buick Enclave demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Mazda CX-90, with a higher average reliability score of 75/100 versus the CX-90's 51/100. The Enclave also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 2.6 per 10,000 sold, compared to the CX-90's 111.2. Despite having been on the market longer, the Enclave has fewer recalls over nine years (10) than the CX-90 has accrued in just three years (13). These metrics, alongside the CX-90's more frequent issues with steering and forward collision avoidance, make the Enclave the more reliable choice for midsize SUVs.

Key Differences

1Buick Enclave has 108.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Buick Enclave scores 24 points higher in reliability
3Buick Enclave has 3 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

3Buick Enclave

—

0Mazda CX-90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Enclave	Mazda CX-90
Reliability Score	75/100	51/100
Years Tracked	9	3
Total Recalls	10	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	2.6	111.2
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-90?

The Mazda CX-90 and Buick Enclave show distinct problem profiles based on consumer complaints. The Mazda CX-90 exhibits a significant number of issues with its steering system, totaling 80 complaints, including 5 linked to crashes, highlighting a critical area of concern. Conversely, the Buick Enclave has fewer steering complaints but shows a higher incidence of power train and service brake issues, with 35 and 34 complaints respectively, each category having 3 crash-linked incidents. While both vehicles have notable electrical system concerns, the Mazda CX-90's forward collision avoidance and visibility/wiper issues are more pronounced than in the Enclave, suggesting different reliability challenges between the models.

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-90 common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Enclave	Mazda CX-90
STEERING	0.1Very Low	31.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	17.5High
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	11.5Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	8.3Above Avg
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	6.8Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	6.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4Average
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	2.8Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	2Low
STRUCTURE	—None	1.6Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—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-90 Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Enclave	Mazda CX-90	Edge
2025	77/1000R / 31C	63/1002R / 21C	Buick Enclave
2024	77/1000R / 7C	38/10011R / 259C	Buick Enclave
2026(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	51/100(predicted)	Buick Enclave

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Buick Enclave scored 77/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 scored 63/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Enclave vs the Mazda CX-90?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Buick Enclave is your best bet. With a reliability score of 75/100, it outperforms the Mazda CX-90 significantly. The Enclave has had fewer recalls (10 compared to 13 for the CX-90) and impressively low owner complaints at just 2.6 per 10,000 sold, suggesting a more satisfying ownership experience. This makes it a solid choice if you want to minimize unexpected issues and visits to the repair shop. However, if you're drawn to the Mazda CX-90 for its design or driving dynamics, consider the potential trade-offs. With a lower reliability score of 51/100, higher complaints (111.2 per 10,000 sold), and frequent issues in critical areas like steering and forward collision avoidance, you might face more maintenance challenges. Choose the CX-90 if its specific features outweigh these concerns and you're prepared for potentially higher maintenance involvement.

Buick Enclave vs Mazda CX-90: Common Questions

Is the Buick Enclave more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?: Based on our data, the Buick Enclave is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Enclave or the Mazda CX-90?: The Mazda CX-90 has more recalls (13) compared to the Buick Enclave (10). 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-90?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Enclave has a lower complaint rate at 2.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Buick Enclave comparisons

Buick Enclave vs Chevrolet Traverse reliability Buick Enclave vs Toyota Highlander reliability Buick Enclave vs Honda Pilot reliability Buick Enclave vs KIA Telluride reliability Buick Enclave reliability by year Buick Enclave years to avoid

More Mazda CX-90 comparisons

Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander reliability Mazda CX-90 vs Honda Pilot reliability Mazda CX-90 vs KIA Telluride reliability Mazda CX-90 vs Hyundai Palisade reliability Mazda CX-90 reliability by year Mazda CX-90 years to avoid

Decided between Buick Enclave and Mazda CX-90? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Look Up a VIN →

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