Is the KIA Telluride more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-50 is more reliable with an average score of 67/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the KIA Telluride or the Mazda CX-50?

The KIA Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 KIA Telluride or the Mazda CX-50?

Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Telluride has a lower complaint rate at 23.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the KIA Telluride or Mazda CX-50 safer?

Both the KIA Telluride 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: 2026-05-15

KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-50: Reliability Compared

KIA Telluride

Good

More Reliable

Mazda CX-50

Good

Choosing between the KIA Telluride 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 Mazda CX-50 currently leads with an average score of 67/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the KIA Telluride and Mazda CX-50 Generations Compare?

The Kia Telluride is currently in its first generation, which began in 2019 as a 2020 model and is expected to run until 2025. It received a notable refresh in 2023. As a mature platform, the Telluride has likely ironed out early production issues, making it a potentially reliable choice for buyers seeking a well-sorted vehicle. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 is also in its first generation, having launched in 2023. This newer platform may experience initial teething problems typical of early production years, but it is slated for a facelift in 2025, which could address any emerging issues.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-50 is more reliable than the KIA Telluride, scoring 67/100 vs 66/100.

The Kia Telluride demonstrates a slightly higher reliability score of 71/100 compared to the Mazda CX-50's 66/100. While the Telluride has a higher total number of recalls, its owner complaints rate of 23.3 per 10,000 sold is marginally lower than the CX-50's 27.4. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates for the Telluride are $573 annually, though no such data is available for the CX-50. Both models share common issues with their electrical systems, but the Telluride's lower complaint rate and higher reliability score give it a slight edge in overall reliability.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-50 has 21 fewer total recalls
2KIA Telluride has 4.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mazda CX-50 scores 1 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1KIA Telluride

—

2Mazda CX-50

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-50: Which Is More Reliable?

KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-50 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	KIA Telluride	Mazda CX-50
Reliability Score	66/100	67/100
Years Tracked	6	4
Total Recalls	27	6
Complaints per 10k Sold	23.3	27.4
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	1

What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Telluride and Mazda CX-50?

The Kia Telluride has a higher volume of complaints across various categories, with significant issues in the visibility/wiper and electrical system areas, including three crash-linked complaints for the latter. It also shows notable concerns in exterior lighting and power train, with the latter having five crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 registers fewer overall complaints, with the most significant issues in service brakes and forward collision avoidance, each with crash-linked incidents, suggesting a focus on safety-related concerns. Both vehicles exhibit issues with the power train and electrical systems, although the Telluride's complaints are more numerous and varied.

KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-50 common problem areas comparison
Component	KIA Telluride	Mazda CX-50
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4.4Average	3.1Average
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.8Low	2.3Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	4.2Average	0.6Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.7Low	2.9Low
STRUCTURE	0.9Very Low	2.9Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	3.1Average
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2.5Low	—None
STEERING	0.3Very Low	2Low
SUSPENSION	0.3Very Low	2Low
ENGINE	1.9Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	1.7Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.6Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.6Very Low
WHEELS	—None	0.6Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	0.6Very Low
VISIBILITY	0.3Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: KIA Telluride or Mazda CX-50?

The Kia Telluride has an annual repair cost of $573 and requires about 0.4 repair visits per year, according to independent repair cost data. This translates to roughly one repair visit every 2.5 years, offering peace of mind with relatively infrequent maintenance needs. Unfortunately, specific data for the Mazda CX-50's annual repair costs and repair frequency isn't available, making a direct comparison challenging. However, with the Telluride's known repair frequency, it may provide a more predictable ownership experience for cost-conscious buyers. Without detailed data for the Mazda CX-50, the Telluride stands out as a potentially better value for those prioritizing predictable maintenance costs.

How Does KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-50 Reliability Compare by Year?

KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-50 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	KIA Telluride	Mazda CX-50	Edge
2025	78/1002R / 32C	66/1003R / 21C	KIA Telluride
2024	69/1004R / 180C	71/1001R / 26C	Mazda CX-50
2023	68/1005R / 161C	65/1002R / 49C	KIA Telluride

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 KIA Telluride scored 78/100 and the 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the KIA Telluride vs the Mazda CX-50?

If you prioritize reliability and are willing to manage slightly higher repair costs, the Kia Telluride is your best bet. With a reliability score of 71/100, it outperforms the Mazda CX-50 on this front. Despite having more recalls (27), the Telluride has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (23.3) and a lower estimated annual repair cost of $573. This model is well-suited for those who value a dependable vehicle and don't mind addressing minor issues like electrical or visibility concerns. On the other hand, if you prefer a vehicle with fewer recalls and can tolerate a marginally lower reliability score, consider the Mazda CX-50. With only six recalls and a focus on issues like brakes and structure, it might appeal to those who prioritize structural integrity and are less concerned about long-term repair estimates. This choice is ideal if you seek a vehicle with fewer immediate recalls despite a slightly higher complaint rate (27.4 per 10,000 sold).

KIA Telluride vs Mazda CX-50: Common Questions

Is the KIA Telluride more reliable than the Mazda CX-50?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-50 is more reliable with an average score of 67/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the KIA Telluride or the Mazda CX-50?: The KIA Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 KIA Telluride or the Mazda CX-50?: Adjusted for sales volume, the KIA Telluride has a lower complaint rate at 23.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the KIA Telluride or Mazda CX-50 safer?: Both the KIA Telluride 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 KIA Telluride 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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