Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5: Reliability Compared
Ford Escape
Mazda CX-5
Choosing between the Ford Escape and the Mazda CX-5? 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 compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mazda CX-5 currently leads with an average score of 81/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mazda CX-5 is more reliable than the Ford Escape, scoring 81/100 vs 66/100.
The Mazda CX-5 demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 81/100 compared to the Ford Escape's 66/100. The CX-5 also has a significantly lower recall count of 11 over nine years, whereas the Escape has 86 recalls in just eight years. Additionally, owner complaints for the CX-5 are fewer, at 5.6 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Escape's 9.6. With a lower estimated annual repair cost of $447 versus the Escape's $600, the CX-5 offers a more dependable and cost-efficient ownership experience.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-5 costs $153 less per year to repair
- 2Mazda CX-5 has 75 fewer total recalls
- 3Mazda CX-5 scores 15 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Escape | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 81/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 86 | 11 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.6 | 5.6 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $600/yr | $447/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 11% | 8% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5?
The Mazda CX-5 and Ford Escape exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Ford Escape having a significantly higher total complaint count. The Ford Escape's engine issues, totaling 1,152 complaints, are notably severe compared to the CX-5's 263, although the Escape has fewer crash-linked engine complaints. The CX-5, however, has a higher proportion of crash-linked complaints in areas such as air bags (11 crash-linked) and vehicle speed control (11 crash-linked) than the Escape. In contrast, the Ford Escape shows a broad distribution of issues, including significant concerns with its structure (693 complaints) and power train (607 complaints), suggesting a wider range of systemic reliability challenges.
| Component | Ford Escape | Mazda CX-5 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2.6Low | 1.5Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.4Low | 0.6Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1.5Low | 0.2Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.9Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Escape or Mazda CX-5?
How Does Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Escape | Mazda CX-5 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 74/10010R / 16C | 82/1003R / 25C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2024 | 75/10010R / 76C | 84/1001R / 53C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2023 | 72/10013R / 107C | 81/1002R / 96C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2022 | 62/10020R / 325C | 87/1000R / 50C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2020 | 52/10025R / 1667C | 86/1000R / 94C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2019 | 69/1003R / 506C | 75/1002R / 229C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2018 | 60/1004R / 1597C | 71/1003R / 310C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2026(predicted) | 67/100(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | Mazda CX-5 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Escape scored 75/100 and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 scored 87/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Escape vs the Mazda CX-5?
Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Escape more reliable than the Mazda CX-5?
- Based on our data, the Mazda CX-5 is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 66/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Escape or the Mazda CX-5?
- The Ford Escape has more recalls (86) compared to the Mazda CX-5 (11). 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 Ford Escape or the Mazda CX-5?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-5 has a lower complaint rate at 5.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.6 for the Ford Escape. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Escape or the Mazda CX-5?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-5 is cheaper to maintain at $447/year versus $600/year for the Ford Escape.
- Is the Ford Escape or Mazda CX-5 safer?
- Both the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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