Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?

Based on our data, the Honda CR-V is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-50?

The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (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 Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-50?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda CR-V has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-50 safer?

Both the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 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 CR-V vs Mazda CX-50: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda CR-V

Good

Mazda CX-50

Good

Choosing between the Honda CR-V and the Mazda CX-50? 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 Honda CR-V currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 Generations Compare?

The Honda CR-V is currently in its sixth generation, which began in 2023. This recent redesign means it's early in its generation cycle, a phase where new models can sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers iron out kinks. Historically, the CR-V's reliability has improved as each generation matures, with significant facelifts, like the 2020 update in the fifth generation, addressing earlier concerns. Conversely, the Mazda CX-50 is in its first generation, launched in 2023, and will see a facelift in 2025. As a new entry, it may also face early production challenges typical of fresh platforms. Buyers seeking proven reliability might consider that mature platforms, like the later stages of the CR-V's fifth generation, tend to be more refined.

Verdict

The Honda CR-V is more reliable than the Mazda CX-50, scoring 74/100 vs 67/100.

The Honda CR-V stands out for its superior reliability with an average score of 89/100 compared to the Mazda CX-50's 66/100. It also has a lower owner complaint rate of 8 per 10,000 sold, versus the CX-50's 27.4, and benefits from an estimated annual repair cost of $407. While the CR-V has had more recalls over a longer period, its broader production scale makes it a more proven choice. The Mazda CX-50, despite fewer total recalls, presents a higher rate of owner complaints and lacks available data on repair costs, making the CR-V a more reliable option overall.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-50 has 40 fewer total recalls
2Honda CR-V has 19.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Honda CR-V scores 7 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Honda CR-V

—

1Mazda CX-50

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda CR-V	Mazda CX-50
Reliability Score	74/100	67/100
Years Tracked	9	4
Total Recalls	46	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	8	27.4
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	3	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50?

The Honda CR-V exhibits a higher volume of complaints across multiple categories, with a significant concentration in steering-related issues, totaling 1,159 complaints, 24 of which are crash-linked. This is notably higher compared to the Mazda CX-50, which has only 7 complaints in the same category and no crash-linked incidents. The CR-V also shows a considerable number of complaints in forward collision avoidance and the electrical system, both with crash-linked incidents, suggesting potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50, while having fewer total complaints, does show some issues in service brakes and forward collision avoidance, albeit at a much lower frequency, indicating a generally more reliable profile in these areas.

Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50 common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda CR-V	Mazda CX-50
STEERING	1.8Low	2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	3.1Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	3.1Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	2.3Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	2.9Low
STRUCTURE	—None	2.9Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1Very Low	1.7Low
SUSPENSION	—None	2Low
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.6Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.6Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.6Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.6Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-50?

The Honda CR-V's annual repair cost of $407, coupled with a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year and a 9% risk of major repairs, offers a clear picture of its maintenance profile. For a cost-conscious buyer, this translates to approximately $2,035 over five years, with relatively infrequent repair visits. Without specific data for the Mazda CX-50, comparing its maintenance costs is challenging. However, the CR-V's low repair frequency and moderate risk of major repairs suggest it is a reliable and cost-effective choice for those prioritizing lower maintenance expenses. This positions the Honda CR-V as a potentially better value for buyers focused on minimizing long-term repair costs.

How Does Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50 Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda CR-V	Mazda CX-50	Edge
2025	80/1006R / 201C	66/1003R / 21C	Honda CR-V
2024	77/1004R / 406C	71/1001R / 26C	Honda CR-V
2023	72/1007R / 578C	65/1002R / 49C	Honda CR-V
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	67/100(predicted)	Honda CR-V

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 and the 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda CR-V vs the Mazda CX-50?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Honda CR-V is the ideal choice for you. With a high reliability score of 89/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of just $407, it offers peace of mind and minimal maintenance expenses. Its repair frequency is low at 0.3 times per year, and the major repair risk is only 9%, making it a dependable option for families and daily commuters alike. Despite having a higher number of recalls, the CR-V's lower owner complaints rate of 8 per 10,000 sold suggests a satisfactory ownership experience. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about fewer recalls and are willing to accept a lower reliability score, the Mazda CX-50 might suit you better. With only six recalls, it's attractive for those who prefer vehicles with fewer manufacturer issues. However, keep in mind its lower reliability score of 66/100 and a higher owner complaints rate of 27.4 per 10,000 sold. This model may appeal to drivers who value style and driving dynamics over absolute reliability.

Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-50: Common Questions

Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?: Based on our data, the Honda CR-V is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-50?: The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (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 Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-50?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda CR-V has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Honda CR-V or Mazda CX-50 safer?: Both the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50 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 CR-V comparisons

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More Mazda CX-50 comparisons

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Mazda CX-50 vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Mazda CX-50 vs Nissan Rogue reliability Mazda CX-50 vs Kia Sportage reliability Mazda CX-50 reliability by year Mazda CX-50 years to avoid

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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