Is the GMC Acadia more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?

Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 58/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-90?

The GMC Acadia has more recalls (17) compared to the Mazda CX-90 (13). 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-90?

The Mazda CX-90 has fewer owner complaints (280) versus 770 for the GMC Acadia. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Is the GMC Acadia or Mazda CX-90 safer?

Both the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-90 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-90: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

GMC Acadia

Good

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Choosing between the GMC Acadia 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 GMC Acadia currently leads with an average score of 70/100 compared to 58/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-90 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation, which debuted in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. Conversely, the GMC Acadia is in its third generation, having been redesigned in 2024. The Acadia's extensive history includes a long first generation from 2007 to 2017 with notable facelifts in 2013 and 2017, and a second generation from 2017 to 2023 with updates in 2020, 2021, and 2022. This mature history suggests that the Acadia's platform is likely well-sorted, benefiting from years of refinement.

Verdict

The GMC Acadia is more reliable than the Mazda CX-90, scoring 70/100 vs 58/100.

The GMC Acadia surpasses the Mazda CX-90 in reliability with an average score of 69/100 compared to the CX-90's 51/100. Despite having more recalls over a longer period (17 recalls in 8 years vs. 13 in 3 years for the CX-90), the Acadia has a lower per-10,000-sold complaint rate, with the CX-90 registering 111.2 complaints. Additionally, the Acadia has an estimated annual repair cost of $734, providing more predictable maintenance expenses than the unspecified costs for the CX-90. Both models share common issues in power train and electrical systems, but the Acadia's stronger reliability score and lower complaint rate make it the more reliable midsize SUV option.

Key Differences

1GMC Acadia scores 12 points higher in reliability
2Mazda CX-90 has 4 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

1GMC Acadia

—

1Mazda CX-90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsSafety Rating

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Acadia	Mazda CX-90
Reliability Score	70/100	58/100
Years Tracked	8	3
Total Recalls	17	13
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	770	280
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3	0

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-90?

The Mazda CX-90 and GMC Acadia exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the CX-90 having a notably higher incidence of steering-related complaints, including 80 reports and 5 linked to crashes, indicating a significant area of concern. In contrast, the GMC Acadia's most prevalent issues are with the power train, with 200 complaints and 4 crash-linked incidents, and the electrical system, which has 139 complaints, also with 4 crash-linked. While both models have electrical system complaints, the Acadia's volume is significantly higher. Additionally, the Acadia shows a higher number of crash-linked airbag complaints, totaling 5, a severe safety concern not mirrored by the CX-90.

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-90 common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Acadia	Mazda CX-90
POWER TRAIN	200	21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	139	44
STEERING	55	80
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	106	2
SERVICE BRAKES	70	7
ENGINE	37	17
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	8	29
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	23	5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	7	16
AIR BAGS	12	—
VISIBILITY/WIPER	2	10
SEAT BELTS	9	—
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	6	—
STRUCTURE	2	4
FUEL SYSTEM	4	—
SUSPENSION	4	—
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	4	—
SEATS	3	—
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2	—
LANE DEPARTURE	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-90?

Based on industry estimates, the GMC Acadia incurs an average repair cost of $734 annually, with a repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year and a 19% risk of major repairs. Unfortunately, specific data for the Mazda CX-90 is unavailable, but we can compare based on Acadia's figures. For a cost-conscious buyer, the Acadia's repair cost may seem straightforward; however, the significant 19% risk of major repairs could lead to unexpected expenses. Without specific data, it's challenging to assess the Mazda CX-90's long-term value, but prospective buyers might consider the Acadia's relatively high major repair risk when evaluating these models.

How Does GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-90 Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Acadia	Mazda CX-90	Edge
2026	76/1000R / 0C	72/1000R / 0C	GMC Acadia
2025	76/1000R / 51C	63/1002R / 21C	GMC Acadia
2024	76/1000R / 51C	38/10011R / 259C	GMC Acadia

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 GMC Acadia scored 76/100 and the 2026 Mazda CX-90 scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the GMC Acadia vs the Mazda CX-90?

If you prioritize reliability and lower maintenance costs, the GMC Acadia might be the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 69/100 compared to the Mazda CX-90's 51/100, and an estimated annual repair cost of $734, the Acadia offers a more dependable ownership experience. Although it has 17 total recalls, it also has a lower owner complaint rate and a manageable repair frequency of 0.4 times per year. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Mazda CX-90 for its features or design, be prepared for potential challenges. With 13 recalls and 111.2 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it indicates more frequent issues, particularly with steering and the electrical system. While specific repair costs and risks are not available, these figures suggest a higher likelihood of encountering problems. Ultimately, if reliability and cost are your main concerns, the GMC Acadia is likely the smarter investment.

GMC Acadia vs Mazda CX-90: Common Questions

Is the GMC Acadia more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?: Based on our data, the GMC Acadia is more reliable with an average score of 70/100 compared to 58/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Acadia or the Mazda CX-90?: The GMC Acadia has more recalls (17) compared to the Mazda CX-90 (13). 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-90?: The Mazda CX-90 has fewer owner complaints (280) versus 770 for the GMC Acadia. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Is the GMC Acadia or Mazda CX-90 safer?: Both the GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-90 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

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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

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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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