Is the GMC Acadia 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 70/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-9?

The GMC Acadia has more recalls (17) 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 GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-9?

The Mazda CX-9 has fewer owner complaints (252) versus 770 for the GMC Acadia. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-9?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.

Is the GMC Acadia or Mazda CX-9 safer?

Both the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-9 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.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-9: Reliability Compared

GMC Acadia

Good

More Reliable

Mazda CX-9

Good

Choosing between the GMC Acadia 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 70/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-9 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the GMC Acadia is in its third generation, which began in 2024. Being relatively early in its generation cycle, the Acadia might still be addressing initial teething issues commonly found in newer platforms. The second generation, which ran from 2017 to 2023, included several updates and facelifts, suggesting that it was a more mature and reliable platform by its end. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 is in its second generation, which started in 2016. This generation has been established for a decade, implying that it has likely ironed out initial design and reliability concerns. The absence of significant updates since 2016 indicates a stable and well-sorted platform, which can be reassuring for buyers prioritizing reliability.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-9 is more reliable than the GMC Acadia, scoring 76/100 vs 70/100.

The Mazda CX-9 demonstrates superior reliability compared to the GMC Acadia, with a higher average reliability score of 76/100 versus 70/100. The CX-9 also has a significantly lower recall count of 6 over 6 years, compared to 17 over 8 years for the Acadia, and fewer owner complaints at 15 per 10,000 sold. Independent repair cost estimates favor the CX-9 with an annual cost of $539, considerably less than the Acadia's $734. These factors, combined with the Mazda's lower incidence of common issues, make it the more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-9 costs $195 less per year to repair
2Mazda CX-9 has 11 fewer total recalls
3Mazda CX-9 has 9% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

1GMC Acadia

—

4Mazda CX-9

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-9: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-9 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Acadia	Mazda CX-9
Reliability Score	70/100	76/100
Years Tracked	8	6
Total Recalls	17	6
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	770	252
Annual Repair Cost	$734/yr	$539/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.6/yr
Major Repair Risk	19%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2023 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	4

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-9?

The GMC Acadia experiences a higher volume of complaints compared to the Mazda CX-9, with significant issues in the power train and electrical system, each with 200 and 139 complaints respectively, and a notable number of crash-linked reports in these categories. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9's primary concern lies with the engine, accounting for 95 complaints, though it has fewer overall issues. Both models report crash-linked incidents related to air bags, with the Acadia having 5 and the CX-9 having 4, indicating a critical safety concern. The Acadia also shows more diverse problem areas, including service brakes and steering, which may contribute to its higher overall complaint count.

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-9 common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Acadia	Mazda CX-9
POWER TRAIN	200	20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	139	26
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	106	33
ENGINE	37	95
SERVICE BRAKES	70	11
STEERING	55	7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	23	2
AIR BAGS	12	4
SEAT BELTS	9	—
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	8	—
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	7	—
SUSPENSION	4	3
STRUCTURE	2	5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	6	—
FUEL SYSTEM	4	2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	4	—
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2	2
SEATS	3	—
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—	3
LANE DEPARTURE	2	—
Chest Clip	—	2

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: GMC Acadia or Mazda CX-9?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Mazda CX-9 offers a more budget-friendly ownership experience compared to the GMC Acadia. The Acadia's annual repair cost is $734, which translates to a $195 higher expense per year than the CX-9, accumulating to $975 over five years. Although the CX-9 requires more frequent visits at 0.6 times per year compared to the Acadia's 0.4, its major repair risk is significantly lower at 10%, versus the Acadia's 19%. This lower risk of costly repairs makes the CX-9 the better value for cost-conscious buyers, balancing upfront expenses with long-term reliability.

How Does GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-9 Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-9 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Acadia	Mazda CX-9	Edge
2023	64/1004R / 37C	81/1000R / 12C	Mazda CX-9
2022	66/1003R / 44C	81/1000R / 9C	Mazda CX-9
2021	68/1002R / 134C	77/1001R / 35C	Mazda CX-9
2020	62/1006R / 84C	78/1001R / 19C	Mazda CX-9
2018	68/1002R / 369C	66/1002R / 125C	GMC Acadia

Best years to cross-shop: The 2021 GMC Acadia scored 68/100 and the 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the GMC Acadia vs the Mazda CX-9?

If you prioritize reliability and lower maintenance costs, the Mazda CX-9 may be your best choice. With a reliability score of 76/100, it outperforms the GMC Acadia's 70/100. The CX-9 also has fewer recalls, only 6 compared to Acadia's 17, and significantly fewer owner complaints at 15 per 10,000 sold. Additionally, the estimated annual repair cost of $539 for the CX-9 is more budget-friendly than the Acadia's $734. On the other hand, if you are less concerned about repair frequency and are comfortable with a slightly higher risk of major repairs, the GMC Acadia could be suitable. Although it has a higher major repair risk at 19%, it offers a lower repair frequency of 0.4 per year, which might be appealing if you prefer fewer trips to the mechanic. However, be aware of its common issues with the power train and electrical system.

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-9: Common Questions

Is the GMC Acadia 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 70/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-9?: The GMC Acadia has more recalls (17) 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 GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-9?: The Mazda CX-9 has fewer owner complaints (252) versus 770 for the GMC Acadia. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-9?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $734/year for the GMC Acadia.
Is the GMC Acadia or Mazda CX-9 safer?: Both the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-9 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.

More GMC Acadia comparisons

GMC Acadia vs Chevrolet Traverse reliability GMC Acadia vs Toyota Highlander reliability GMC Acadia vs Ford Explorer reliability GMC Acadia vs Honda Pilot reliability GMC Acadia reliability by year GMC Acadia years to avoid

More Mazda CX-9 comparisons

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander reliability Mazda CX-9 vs Hyundai Palisade reliability Mazda CX-9 vs Honda Pilot reliability Mazda CX-9 vs KIA Telluride reliability Mazda CX-9 reliability by year Mazda CX-9 years to avoid

Decided between GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-9? 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