Is the Honda Passport more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?

Based on our data, the Honda Passport is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

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

The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) 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 Passport or the Mazda CX-50?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Passport has a lower complaint rate at 11.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Honda Passport vs Mazda CX-50: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Passport

Good

Mazda CX-50

Good

Choosing between the Honda Passport 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 midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Honda Passport currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

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

The Mazda CX-50 is currently in its first generation, which started in 2023, with a facelift expected in 2025. Being early in its generation cycle, the CX-50 may experience typical first-year issues as Mazda refines the new platform. In contrast, the Honda Passport is in its third generation, which began in 2019 and has undergone several updates, including facelifts in 2022, 2023, and 2024. As a more mature platform, the Passport is likely to be more reliable, benefiting from the manufacturer's opportunity to address earlier model issues. Buyers valuing reliability might prefer the Passport's established design over the newer CX-50.

Verdict

The Honda Passport is more reliable than the Mazda CX-50, scoring 72/100 vs 67/100.

The Honda Passport demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Mazda CX-50, with an average reliability score of 83/100 versus the CX-50's 66/100. Although the Passport has experienced more recalls over eight years, its lower owner complaint rate of 11.6 per 10,000 units sold suggests fewer issues relative to its sales volume compared to the CX-50's higher rate of 27.4. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates for the Passport are $521 annually, providing a clearer cost expectation for potential maintenance. Overall, the Passport's higher reliability score and lower complaint rate make it a more dependable choice in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-50 has 23 fewer total recalls
2Honda Passport has 15.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Honda Passport scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Honda Passport

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1Mazda CX-50

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

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

Honda Passport vs Mazda CX-50 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Passport	Mazda CX-50
Reliability Score	72/100	67/100
Years Tracked	8	4
Total Recalls	29	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	11.6	27.4
Year Wins	3	0

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

The Mazda CX-50 and Honda Passport exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the latter facing significantly more complaints overall. The Honda Passport's most prevalent issue lies in the electrical system, with 123 complaints, including two crash-linked incidents, indicating a potential area of concern for reliability. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50's most reported issues are tied to service brakes and unspecified problems, each with 11 complaints, and it also has notable crash-linked concerns in forward collision avoidance. Both models show issues in forward collision avoidance and power train, but the Honda Passport's higher volume of complaints, especially in critical systems like the electrical system and forward collision avoidance, suggests a broader scope of reliability challenges.

Honda Passport vs Mazda CX-50 common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Passport	Mazda CX-50
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	2.3Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.3Low	3.1Average
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	2.9Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1Very Low	3.1Average
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	2.9Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.4Low	1.7Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	2Low
SUSPENSION	—None	2Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.6Very Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	0.6Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.6Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.6Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.6Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.1Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

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

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

The Honda Passport has an estimated annual repair cost of $521, with an average of 0.3 repair visits per year, according to industry estimates. Unfortunately, there is no available data for the Mazda CX-50's repair costs and frequency, making a direct comparison challenging. However, given the available data for the Passport, cost-conscious buyers might appreciate its predictable maintenance expenses over time. The Honda Passport's repair frequency suggests fewer trips to the mechanic, potentially translating to less downtime and inconvenience. Without data on the Mazda CX-50, the Honda Passport currently stands as the more transparent choice for budgeting repair costs.

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

Honda Passport vs Mazda CX-50 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Passport	Mazda CX-50	Edge
2025	82/1000R / 11C	66/1003R / 21C	Honda Passport
2024	79/1001R / 12C	71/1001R / 26C	Honda Passport
2023	75/1004R / 24C	65/1002R / 49C	Honda Passport
2026(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	67/100(predicted)	Honda Passport

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Passport scored 82/100 and the 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Passport vs the Mazda CX-50?

If you prioritize reliability and lower owner complaints, the Honda Passport might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 83/100 and fewer owner complaints at 11.6 per 10,000 sold, the Passport shows a strong track record. Despite having a higher number of recalls, the estimated annual repair cost is reasonable at $521, and the repair frequency is just 0.3 times per year, suggesting that issues, when they arise, are less frequent. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Mazda CX-50, consider that it has a lower reliability score of 66/100 and a higher rate of owner complaints at 27.4 per 10,000 sold. The CX-50 faces issues with service brakes and electrical systems, which could lead to more frequent visits to the mechanic. While specific repair costs are unavailable, these factors might suggest potentially higher maintenance demands. Choose the CX-50 if its design and features align more closely with your personal preferences, but be prepared for possible increased maintenance attention.

Honda Passport vs Mazda CX-50: Common Questions

Is the Honda Passport more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?: Based on our data, the Honda Passport is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda Passport or the Mazda CX-50?: The Honda Passport has more recalls (29) 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 Passport or the Mazda CX-50?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Passport has a lower complaint rate at 11.6 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Honda Passport comparisons

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More Mazda CX-50 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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