Is the Honda Civic 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 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the Mazda CX-5?

The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) 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 Honda Civic or the Mazda CX-5?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Civic has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus 5.6 for the Mazda CX-5. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the Mazda CX-5?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $447/year for the Mazda CX-5.

Is the Honda Civic or Mazda CX-5 safer?

Both the Honda Civic 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5: Reliability Compared

Honda Civic

Good

More Reliable

Mazda CX-5

Excellent

Choosing between the Honda Civic 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 sedans.

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 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda Civic and Mazda CX-5 Generations Compare?

The Honda Civic is currently in its eleventh generation, introduced in 2022. As it is early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms can occasionally experience first-year issues. However, Honda has a strong track record of refining their models quickly. The Mazda CX-5, on the other hand, is in its second generation, launched in 2017 and refreshed in 2022. This model has matured over time, suggesting that it is likely more well-sorted and reliable at this stage. Generally, vehicles later in their generation cycle, like the CX-5, benefit from improved reliability due to ongoing refinements.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-5 is more reliable than the Honda Civic, scoring 81/100 vs 76/100.

The Mazda CX-5 edges out the Honda Civic in reliability with a slightly higher average reliability score of 93/100 compared to the Civic's 90/100. However, the Civic has a lower owner complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus the CX-5's 5.6, and it also benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $368 compared to the CX-5's $447. The CX-5 has a significantly better recall history with only 11 recalls over nine years, while the Civic has 37. Although both vehicles have common issues in the electrical system and other areas, the Civic's lower repair costs and complaint rate may appeal more to budget-conscious buyers, whereas the CX-5's robust recall performance could be a key factor for those prioritizing recall history.

Key Differences

1Honda Civic costs $79 less per year to repair
2Mazda CX-5 has 26 fewer total recalls
3Mazda CX-5 scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Honda Civic

—

3Mazda CX-5

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Civic	Mazda CX-5
Reliability Score	76/100	81/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	37	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	5.6
Annual Repair Cost	$368/yr	$447/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	10%	8%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1 (2 tied)	5 (2 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Civic and Mazda CX-5?

The Honda Civic and Mazda CX-5 exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Civic facing a significant number of steering-related complaints, totaling 1,538, of which 58 are crash-linked, indicating a critical area of concern. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5's most reported issue is with the engine, accounting for 263 complaints, though only one is crash-linked, suggesting less severity in terms of safety risk. The Civic also shows notable issues in its electrical system and airbags, with 158 and 76 complaints, respectively, and a combined 28 crash-linked incidents. Meanwhile, the CX-5 has a considerable number of complaints related to the electrical system and vehicle speed control, with 7 and 11 crash-linked incidents, respectively, highlighting areas that may require attention for potential safety improvements.

Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5 common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Civic	Mazda CX-5
STEERING	2.5Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	0.1Very Low	1.5Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.7Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	0.6Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Civic or Mazda CX-5?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Honda Civic offers more affordable maintenance, with an annual repair cost of $368 compared to the Mazda CX-5's $447. This $79 yearly difference translates to a $395 saving over five years for Civic owners. In terms of repair frequency, the Civic requires fewer visits at 0.2 visits per year versus the CX-5's 0.3, suggesting less frequent disruptions. However, the Civic carries a slightly higher major repair risk at 10% compared to the CX-5's 8%. For cost-conscious buyers prioritizing regular maintenance savings and fewer visits, the Honda Civic emerges as the better value.

How Does Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5 Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Civic	Mazda CX-5	Edge
2025	84/1005R / 49C	82/1003R / 25C	Honda Civic
2024	81/1005R / 131C	84/1001R / 53C	Mazda CX-5
2023	74/1007R / 315C	81/1002R / 96C	Mazda CX-5
2022	66/1003R / 935C	87/1000R / 50C	Mazda CX-5
2021	81/1003R / 118C	83/1000R / 129C	Mazda CX-5
2020	78/1008R / 405C	86/1000R / 94C	Mazda CX-5
2019	75/1002R / 356C	75/1002R / 229C	Tie
2018	71/1004R / 605C	71/1003R / 310C	Tie
2026(predicted)	80/100(predicted)	73/100(predicted)	Honda Civic

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Civic scored 84/100 and the 2022 Mazda CX-5 scored 87/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Civic vs the Mazda CX-5?

If you prioritize low running costs and want a vehicle with a lower annual repair cost, the Honda Civic is a strong contender. With an estimated annual repair cost of $368 and a low repair frequency of 0.2 times per year, it offers budget-friendly maintenance. Despite having a slightly lower reliability score of 90 and more recalls, the Civic's major repair risk is only 10%, making it a sensible choice for the cost-conscious driver. On the other hand, if you want the most reliable option with fewer recalls, the Mazda CX-5 is your best bet. With a higher reliability score of 93 and only 11 total recalls, it stands out as a dependable choice. Although the estimated annual repair cost is $447, the CX-5 has a lower major repair risk of 8%, offering peace of mind for those who value reliability over cost.

Honda Civic vs Mazda CX-5: Common Questions

Is the Honda Civic 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 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Civic or the Mazda CX-5?: The Honda Civic has more recalls (37) 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 Honda Civic or the Mazda CX-5?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Civic has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus 5.6 for the Mazda CX-5. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Civic or the Mazda CX-5?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda Civic is cheaper to maintain at $368/year versus $447/year for the Mazda CX-5.
Is the Honda Civic or Mazda CX-5 safer?: Both the Honda Civic 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.

More Honda Civic comparisons

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More Mazda CX-5 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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