Is the Dodge Journey more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Dodge Journey or the Mazda CX-9?

The Dodge Journey has more recalls (8) 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 Dodge Journey or the Mazda CX-9?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-9 has a lower complaint rate at 15 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 18 for the Dodge Journey. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Journey or the Mazda CX-9?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $562/year for the Dodge Journey.

Is the Dodge Journey or Mazda CX-9 safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Mazda CX-9 has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Journey. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Dodge Journey vs Mazda CX-9: Reliability Compared

Dodge Journey

Good

More Reliable

Mazda CX-9

Good

Choosing between the Dodge Journey 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. The Mazda CX-9 currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Dodge Journey and Mazda CX-9 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mazda CX-9 is in its second generation, which began in 2016 and concluded in 2024. This generation had been on the market for several years, allowing Mazda to address initial production issues and refine the model, contributing to its reliability. The first generation of the CX-9 lasted from 2007 to 2015, with notable facelifts in 2010 and 2013 that helped improve its features and performance. The Dodge Journey, on the other hand, only had one generation throughout its production run from 2009 to 2020, with a significant facelift in 2011. Its prolonged production cycle meant that later models were generally more reliable due to the maturity of the platform, as any early issues were likely resolved over time.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-9 is more reliable than the Dodge Journey, scoring 76/100 vs 74/100.

The Dodge Journey edges out the Mazda CX-9 in reliability with a slightly higher average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100 for the CX-9. However, the Mazda CX-9 has a marginally lower owner complaint rate at 15 per 10,000 sold, versus the Journey's 16.8. Both vehicles have faced several recalls, with the Journey experiencing eight over five years and the CX-9 six over six years. While repair costs are relatively similar, the CX-9's slightly lower estimated annual repair cost of $539 could be a deciding factor for budget-conscious buyers.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-9 costs $23 less per year to repair
2Mazda CX-9 has 3.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mazda CX-9 scores 2 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Dodge Journey

—

6Mazda CX-9

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Dodge Journey vs Mazda CX-9: Which Is More Reliable?

Dodge Journey vs Mazda CX-9 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Dodge Journey	Mazda CX-9
Reliability Score	74/100	76/100
Years Tracked	3	6
Total Recalls	8	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	18	15
Annual Repair Cost	$562/yr	$539/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.6/yr
Major Repair Risk	12%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2020 NHTSA	2023 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Journey and Mazda CX-9?

The Mazda CX-9 primarily faces issues with its engine, accounting for 95 complaints, and also has significant concerns with the electrical system and power train, with crash-linked incidents reported in the unknown or other, power train, service brakes, steering, and air bags categories. In contrast, the Dodge Journey exhibits a higher number of electrical system complaints, totaling 97, and shows notable crash-linked issues in the air bags and exterior lighting. While the CX-9's engine problems are more pronounced, the Journey's air bag system poses a greater safety concern, with seven crash-linked complaints. Both models have challenges in the unknown or other category, but the Journey's broader distribution of problem types suggests a wider range of potential reliability issues.

Dodge Journey vs Mazda CX-9 common problem areas comparison
Component	Dodge Journey	Mazda CX-9
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	5.7Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	4.6Average	1.5Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2.9Low	2Low
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	1.2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.9Very Low	0.7Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	1.2Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.8Very Low	0.4Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1.1Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.8Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.5Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
SEATS	0.1Very Low	—None
TIRES	0.1Very Low	—None
Chest Clip	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.1Very Low

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Journey or Mazda CX-9?

The Mazda CX-9 and Dodge Journey have comparable annual repair costs, with the CX-9 averaging $539 and the Journey slightly higher at $562, a $23 difference annually, equating to $115 over five years. However, the CX-9 requires more frequent repairs, averaging 0.6 visits annually compared to the Journey's 0.3 visits. Despite this, the CX-9 has a slightly lower major repair risk at 10% versus the Journey's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Mazda CX-9 offers better value with a lower major repair risk, potentially reducing the likelihood of expensive repairs despite its higher repair frequency.

How Does Dodge Journey vs Mazda CX-9 Reliability Compare by Year?

Dodge Journey vs Mazda CX-9 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Dodge Journey	Mazda CX-9	Edge
2020	77/1001R / 61C	78/1001R / 19C	Mazda CX-9
2019	78/1001R / 92C	73/1002R / 52C	Dodge Journey
2018	68/1006R / 223C	66/1002R / 125C	Dodge Journey

Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Dodge Journey scored 78/100 and the 2020 Mazda CX-9 scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Dodge Journey vs the Mazda CX-9?

If you prioritize low running costs and a slightly lower risk of major repairs, the Mazda CX-9 could be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $539 and a repair frequency of 0.6 per year, it provides a balanced mix of reliability and cost-effectiveness. Despite having a slightly lower reliability score of 76 compared to the Dodge Journey's 78, the CX-9 has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 15 and fewer recalls, making it a solid option for those who value consistency and lower maintenance interruptions. On the other hand, if you want a vehicle with a lower repair frequency, consider the Dodge Journey. It boasts a repair frequency of just 0.3 per year, suggesting less frequent trips to the mechanic. However, keep in mind its estimated annual repair cost is slightly higher at $562, and it has a higher major repair risk of 12%. It's a fitting choice if you prefer fewer repair visits despite a higher potential for significant issues.

Dodge Journey vs Mazda CX-9: Common Questions

Is the Dodge Journey more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Dodge Journey or the Mazda CX-9?: The Dodge Journey has more recalls (8) 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 Dodge Journey or the Mazda CX-9?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-9 has a lower complaint rate at 15 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 18 for the Dodge Journey. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Journey or the Mazda CX-9?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $562/year for the Dodge Journey.
Is the Dodge Journey or Mazda CX-9 safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Mazda CX-9 has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Dodge Journey. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More Dodge Journey comparisons

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More Mazda CX-9 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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