Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Palisade or the Mazda CX-90?

The Hyundai Palisade has more recalls (33) 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 Hyundai Palisade or the Mazda CX-90?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Palisade has a lower complaint rate at 31.7 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Hyundai Palisade

Good

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Choosing between the Hyundai Palisade 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 full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Hyundai Palisade currently leads with an average score of 63/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-90 Generations Compare?

The Hyundai Palisade is currently in its second generation (LX3; 2024–2023), having received a facelift in 2023. This suggests it is still relatively early in its generation cycle, where newer platforms can sometimes experience initial issues as they become fully sorted. Its first generation (LX2; 2018) ran from 2020 to 2025 with a facelift in 2022. This mature platform tends to be more reliable as it benefits from refinements over time. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation (KK; 2024–2023), indicating it's in the earliest stage of its lifecycle. First-generation models can be less predictable in reliability as potential issues are identified and addressed through subsequent updates.

Verdict

The Hyundai Palisade is more reliable than the Mazda CX-90, scoring 63/100 vs 51/100.

The Hyundai Palisade demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 70/100 compared to the Mazda CX-90's 51/100. Despite having a longer recall history with 33 recalls over seven years, the Palisade maintains a lower owner complaint rate of 31.7 per 10,000 sold, significantly better than the CX-90's 111.2 per 10,000. Additionally, the Palisade's estimated annual repair cost of $573 provides a clearer picture of ongoing expenses, whereas the CX-90 lacks this data. Overall, the Palisade stands out as the more reliable choice, especially considering its more manageable complaint rate and transparent repair cost estimates.

Key Differences

1Hyundai Palisade has 79.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Mazda CX-90 has 20 fewer total recalls
3Hyundai Palisade scores 12 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Hyundai Palisade

—

1Mazda CX-90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Palisade	Mazda CX-90
Reliability Score	63/100	51/100
Years Tracked	7	3
Total Recalls	33	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	31.7	111.2
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-90?

The Hyundai Palisade shows a higher volume of complaints with significant issues in service brakes, visibility/wiper, and seat belts, totaling 1908 complaints, including 27 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 has a considerably lower overall complaint count at 280, with steering being its most problematic area, accounting for 80 complaints, 5 of which are crash-linked. Both models have electrical system concerns, but the Palisade's issues extend more severely into safety-critical components like service brakes and seat belts. The Palisade's higher rate of crash-linked complaints in several categories suggests more frequent safety implications compared to the CX-90.

Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90 common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Palisade	Mazda CX-90
STEERING	1.1Low	31.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.1Low	17.5High
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	11.5Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	1.6Low	8.3Above Avg
ENGINE	1.7Low	6.8Average
SERVICE BRAKES	5.4Average	2.8Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	3.6Average	4Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.4Very Low	6.4Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.3Average	0.8Very Low
SEAT BELTS	3.9Average	—None
SUSPENSION	2.3Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.4Very Low	1.6Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	2Low
VISIBILITY	0.2Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
SEATS	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Palisade or Mazda CX-90?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Hyundai Palisade incurs an average annual repair cost of $573 with a repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year. Although specific figures for the Mazda CX-90 are unavailable, the Palisade's relatively low repair frequency suggests it is a reliable option requiring fewer trips to the mechanic. Without concrete data for the Mazda CX-90, it's challenging to make a direct comparison. However, the Palisade's predictable repair cost and frequency make it an appealing choice for cost-conscious buyers. Over five years, the Palisade's maintenance costs would total approximately $2,865, offering a clear picture for budgeting.

How Does Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90 Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Palisade	Mazda CX-90	Edge
2025	70/1003R / 139C	63/1002R / 21C	Hyundai Palisade
2024	63/1005R / 304C	38/10011R / 259C	Hyundai Palisade
2026(predicted)	65/100(predicted)	51/100(predicted)	Hyundai Palisade

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Palisade scored 70/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 scored 63/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Palisade vs the Mazda CX-90?

If you prioritize reliability and lower annual repair costs, the Hyundai Palisade stands out as the better option. With a reliability score of 70/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $573, it offers peace of mind for those who want a dependable vehicle. Despite having 33 total recalls, the Palisade has a lower owner complaint rate of 31.7 per 10,000 sold, indicating fewer issues experienced by drivers. This makes it ideal for families or individuals seeking a reliable SUV with manageable maintenance requirements. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Mazda CX-90, you should be aware of its lower reliability score of 51/100 and higher owner complaint rate of 111.2 per 10,000 sold. The CX-90 has reported issues with critical systems like steering and the electrical system, which could lead to more frequent repairs. Choose this model if you're willing to take a risk on potential issues, perhaps for the appeal of its design or features, but be prepared for possible higher maintenance involvement.

Hyundai Palisade vs Mazda CX-90: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Palisade more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?: Based on our data, the Hyundai Palisade is more reliable with an average score of 63/100 compared to 51/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Palisade or the Mazda CX-90?: The Hyundai Palisade has more recalls (33) 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 Hyundai Palisade or the Mazda CX-90?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Hyundai Palisade has a lower complaint rate at 31.7 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Hyundai Palisade comparisons

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More Mazda CX-90 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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