Last updated: 2026-10-10
Kia vs Mazda: Reliability Compared
Kia
13 models tracked
Mazda
7 models tracked
Mazda edges out KIA on used-car reliability, mostly because its owner complaints are less severe. The lead is slight. Both brands stand at good, repair costs are close, and the right pick depends more on the model and year than on the badge.
Is Kia More Reliable Than Mazda?
| Metric | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 73/100 | 75/100 |
| Models Tracked | 13 | 7 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 14 | 14 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 595 | 480 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $487/yr | $500/yr |
Kia vs Mazda: The Verdict
A slight edge goes to Mazda on overall reliability. Its owner complaints are less severe, with far fewer involving fires, and its recalls have less impact. Sedans also favor Mazda. Repair costs, the spread of problems across systems, and SUVs come out even.
One point cuts the other way. Mazda draws more complaints per 1,000 sold, 1.6 against 0.9. KIA owners file fewer complaints per car sold, but those filings include more fires and crashes. Engine trouble leads the problem list for both brands.
Where Kia and Mazda Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 64/100Good | 66/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 72/100Good | 72/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 78/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 83/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in recall impact, where Mazda scores 6 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Kia vs Mazda: Strengths and Weaknesses
Kia
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (73/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($487/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 12 of 13 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 164 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Mazda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($500/year avg)
- 6 of 7 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Kia and Mazda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Kia
Mazda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Kia or Mazda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Kia is cheaper to maintain at an average of $487/year compared to $500/year for Mazda. The difference is relatively small, so maintenance costs shouldn't be a major deciding factor between these makes.
Kia Repair Cost Range
$437 – $573/yr
Average: $487/yr
Mazda Repair Cost Range
$433 – $581/yr
Average: $500/yr
Kia vs Mazda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Kia | Mazda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(9 vs 5 models) | 71/100 | 70/100 | Kia |
| Sedans(3 vs 2 models) | 73/100 | 78/100 | Mazda |
The makes split categories evenly at 1–1.
Common Problems: Kia vs Mazda
| Component | Kia | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 21%1,480 | 27%760 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 18%1,275 | 16%440 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 15%1,065 | 12%333 |
| POWER TRAIN | 14%965 | 11%307 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 5%335 | 3%87 |
| STRUCTURE | 4%307 | 3%90 |
| STEERING | 3%229 | 5%150 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2%166 | 6%179 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4%271 | 1%30 |
| AIR BAGS | 3%182 | 4%105 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Kia vs Mazda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Kia
352
Crash reports
164
Fire reports
351
Injury reports
Mazda
203
Crash reports
15
Fire reports
127
Injury reports
Every Kia and Mazda Model Ranked
Kia Models
Kia vs Mazda Reliability Trend by Year
Kia's reliability is improving — recent model years average 78/100, up from earlier years. Mazda's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Kia | Mazda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 78/100(6) | 81/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2025 | 78/100(10) | 72/100(6) | Kia |
| 2024 | 74/100(10) | 69/100(6) | Kia |
| 2023 | 70/100(9) | 75/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2022 | 70/100(9) | 79/100(5) | Mazda |
| 2021 | 71/100(8) | 74/100(5) | Mazda |
| 2020 | 71/100(7) | 76/100(4) | Mazda |
| 2019 | 72/100(6) | 75/100(4) | Mazda |
| 2018 | 71/100(6) | 72/100(4) | Mazda |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Kia vs Mazda: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Kia and Mazda. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Kia vs Mazda?
If you want the fewest surprises, lean Mazda. The CX-5 is the safest target, and 2022 is the best used year, with few complaints and no recalls. Skip the 2018 CX-5, where cracked cylinder heads leak oil onto the exhaust. Treat the CX-90 with care. The 2024 has steering binding in highway curves, and the plug-in hybrid has reports of sudden power loss. The 2025 and 2026 years look cleaner only because they are new. The 3 and 5 sedans both stand at good.
Lean KIA if you need a minivan or want a wider choice. The Carnival is excellent, and the 2023 is the year to buy, since it has far fewer complaints than 2022. Watch its power sliding doors and liftgate. The Sedona and Niro also rate excellent. Be cautious with the EV6. Its charge control unit can fail and cut drive power, so avoid 2022 and prefer 2024. Most other KIA models stand at good.
The Bottom Line: Kia or Mazda?
Choose Mazda if you want the slightly safer bet, and choose KIA if you need a minivan or a broader lineup. The CX-5 is the strongest single model across both brands, and a 2022 is the one to look for. KIA's average repair cost is $13 a year lower, about $65 over five years. That gap is too small to decide the purchase.
Kia vs Mazda: Common Questions
Is KIA more reliable than Mazda?
Which brand has more recalls, KIA or Mazda?
Which is cheaper to repair, KIA or Mazda?
Do KIA or Mazda cars have more fire and crash complaints?
What is the most common problem on KIA and Mazda cars?
Comparing Kia vs Mazda? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Kia and Mazda models
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.