Which has more recalls, the Kia Telluride or the Mazda CX-90?

The Kia Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 Kia Telluride or the Mazda CX-90?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Telluride has a lower complaint rate at 23.3 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Kia Telluride or Mazda CX-90 safer?

Both the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90 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

Kia Telluride vs Mazda CX-90: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Kia Telluride

Good

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Choosing between the Kia Telluride 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 midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Kia Telluride currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90 Generations Compare?

The Kia Telluride is currently in its first generation, which began in 2019 and received a significant refresh in 2023. As it approaches the end of its generation cycle, the Telluride benefits from a mature platform that is likely to have well-sorted reliability, having had time to resolve any initial issues typical of new models. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation, introduced in 2024. Being early in its lifecycle, the CX-90 may experience the typical growing pains associated with new platforms, which can include first-year issues that are often ironed out in subsequent model years.

Verdict

The Kia Telluride is more reliable than the Mazda CX-90, scoring 66/100 vs 51/100.

The Kia Telluride demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Mazda CX-90, with an average reliability score of 71/100 versus 51/100 for the CX-90. The Telluride also has a significantly lower owner complaints rate of 23.3 per 10,000 sold compared to 111.2 for the CX-90, alongside a more established recall history with 27 recalls over six years. Additionally, the estimated annual repair cost for the Telluride is $573, providing a clearer cost expectation for potential owners. While both vehicles encounter issues with their electrical systems and engines, the Telluride's overall performance in reliability metrics makes it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Kia Telluride has 87.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Kia Telluride scores 15 points higher in reliability
3Mazda CX-90 has 14 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2Kia Telluride

—

1Mazda CX-90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Kia Telluride vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is More Reliable?

Kia Telluride vs Mazda CX-90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Kia Telluride	Mazda CX-90
Reliability Score	66/100	51/100
Years Tracked	6	3
Total Recalls	27	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	23.3	111.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90?

The Kia Telluride exhibits a higher volume of complaints, with significant issues in categories such as UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER, and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, each surpassing 190 complaints. Notably, the Telluride's SERVICE BRAKES category has 31 complaints, with 6 linked to crashes, indicating a potential safety concern. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 has fewer overall complaints, but the STEERING category accounts for a substantial portion, with 80 complaints and 5 crash-linked incidents, suggesting a critical area of concern. While both models have crash-linked complaints in their ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and POWER TRAIN categories, the Kia Telluride's broader distribution of issues highlights a range of reliability challenges.

Kia Telluride vs Mazda CX-90 common problem areas comparison
Component	Kia Telluride	Mazda CX-90
STEERING	0.3Very Low	31.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.8Low	17.5High
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	11.5Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	1.7Low	8.3Above Avg
ENGINE	1.9Low	6.8Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	4.2Average	4Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	6.4Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4.4Average	0.8Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	2.8Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	2.5Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.9Very Low	1.6Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	2Low
VISIBILITY	0.3Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.3Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	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: Kia Telluride or Mazda CX-90?

The Kia Telluride's annual repair cost is estimated at $573, with an expected repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year. While specific figures for the Mazda CX-90 are unavailable, industry estimates suggest that the Telluride's predictable repair schedule provides a clear advantage for cost-conscious buyers. Over five years, the Telluride's repair expenses could total approximately $2,865, assuming no major repairs. The lack of data for the Mazda CX-90 means potential buyers face uncertainty regarding repair frequency and major repair risks, making the Telluride a more reliable choice for those prioritizing predictable maintenance and repair expenses.

How Does Kia Telluride vs Mazda CX-90 Reliability Compare by Year?

Kia Telluride vs Mazda CX-90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Kia Telluride	Mazda CX-90	Edge
2025	78/1002R / 32C	63/1002R / 21C	Kia Telluride
2024	69/1004R / 180C	38/10011R / 259C	Kia Telluride

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Kia Telluride scored 78/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 scored 63/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Kia Telluride vs the Mazda CX-90?

If you prioritize reliability and lower maintenance concerns, the Kia Telluride is the better choice for you. With a higher reliability score of 71/100 compared to the Mazda CX-90's 51/100, it promises a more dependable driving experience. The Telluride has a lower owner complaint rate of 23.3 per 10,000 sold and an estimated annual repair cost of $573, making it a cost-effective option for those who want to minimize unexpected expenses. However, if recall frequency is a major concern for you, it's worth noting that the Mazda CX-90 has fewer total recalls (13) than the Telluride (27). Despite this, the CX-90's higher complaint rate of 111.2 per 10,000 sold suggests potential issues that could affect long-term satisfaction. Therefore, for those who seek peace of mind and lower running costs, the Kia Telluride stands out as the more reliable option.

Kia Telluride vs Mazda CX-90: Common Questions

Is the Kia Telluride more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?: Based on our data, the Kia Telluride is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Kia Telluride or the Mazda CX-90?: The Kia Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 Kia Telluride or the Mazda CX-90?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Telluride has a lower complaint rate at 23.3 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Kia Telluride or Mazda CX-90 safer?: Both the Kia Telluride and Mazda CX-90 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-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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