Is the Mazda 5 more reliable than the Subaru Impreza?

Based on our data, the Mazda 5 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda 5 or the Subaru Impreza?

The Mazda 5 has more recalls (44) compared to the Subaru Impreza (18). 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 Mazda 5 or the Subaru Impreza?

The Subaru Impreza has fewer owner complaints (470) versus 1314 for the Mazda 5. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Mazda 5 or the Subaru Impreza?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 5 is cheaper to maintain at $581/year versus $653/year for the Subaru Impreza.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Mazda 5 vs Subaru Impreza: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mazda 5

Good

Subaru Impreza

Good

Choosing between the Mazda 5 and the Subaru Impreza? 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 sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mazda 5 currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda 5 and Subaru Impreza Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Subaru Impreza is in its sixth generation, which began in 2024. This makes it relatively early in its generation cycle, a period when new platforms sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial bugs. The previous fifth generation, spanning from 2017 to 2023, received a facelift in 2020, offering a more mature and refined platform by the end of its cycle. In contrast, the Mazda 5 lacks detailed generation history data, making it challenging to compare directly with the Impreza. However, the absence of this information means potential buyers should conduct thorough research on model-specific forums and reviews to gauge reliability. Generally, vehicles in later stages of their generation or those with established track records tend to be more reliable due to the resolution of earlier issues.

Verdict

The Mazda 5 is more reliable than the Subaru Impreza, scoring 76/100 vs 73/100.

The Subaru Impreza and Mazda 5 both offer competitive reliability in the compact sedan segment, but the Subaru Impreza slightly lags behind with a reliability score of 73/100 compared to Mazda 5's 76/100. Despite the Impreza's lower recall count of 18 compared to Mazda 5's 44, the Impreza has a higher owner complaint rate of 4.1 per 10,000 sold, indicating more frequent issues relative to its sales volume. On the other hand, the Mazda 5 benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $581 versus the Impreza's $653. While both vehicles have their strengths, the Mazda 5 edges out as the more reliable choice due to its higher reliability score and lower repair costs.

Key Differences

1Mazda 5 costs $72 less per year to repair
2Subaru Impreza has 26 fewer total recalls
3Mazda 5 has 7% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

3Mazda 5

—

2Subaru Impreza

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Mazda 5 vs Subaru Impreza: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda 5 vs Subaru Impreza at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda 5	Subaru Impreza
Reliability Score	76/100	73/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	44	18
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	1314	470
Annual Repair Cost	$581/yr	$653/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	10%	17%
Year Wins	7	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda 5 and Subaru Impreza?

The Subaru Impreza exhibits a concentrated issue with visibility and wiper systems, accounting for 136 complaints, and exterior lighting with 126 complaints, including two crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Mazda 5's problem profile is more dispersed, with the engine and electrical systems being the primary areas of concern, receiving 299 and 178 complaints respectively, and a significant number of crash-linked incidents in the electrical system (10) and service brakes (10). Notably, the Mazda 5 has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints across various categories, such as air bags and forward collision avoidance, indicating potential safety concerns. Overall, while the Impreza's issues are largely related to visibility and lighting, the Mazda 5 faces broader challenges, particularly in critical systems like the engine and safety features.

Mazda 5 vs Subaru Impreza common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda 5	Subaru Impreza
ENGINE	299	14
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	178	31
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	161	39
VISIBILITY/WIPER	19	136
POWER TRAIN	141	10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	14	126
SERVICE BRAKES	69	14
AIR BAGS	50	7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	45	—
STEERING	28	15
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	37	4
STRUCTURE	24	4
FUEL SYSTEM	22	—
VISIBILITY	—	18
SUSPENSION	12	—
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	9	—
TIRES	—	6
SEATS	4	—

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Mazda 5 or Subaru Impreza?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Subaru Impreza has an annual repair cost of $653 and a repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year, with a 17% risk of major repairs. In contrast, the Mazda 5 costs $581 annually with a higher repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year but a lower major repair risk of 10%. Over five years, the Impreza will cost an additional $360, yet it may demand fewer repair visits. However, the Mazda 5 offers better value for cost-conscious buyers due to its lower major repair risk, potentially minimizing expensive, unexpected repairs.

How Does Mazda 5 vs Subaru Impreza Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda 5 vs Subaru Impreza year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda 5	Subaru Impreza	Edge
2025	75/1005R / 42C	77/1000R / 2C	Subaru Impreza
2024	75/1005R / 70C	74/1002R / 23C	Mazda 5
2023	78/1003R / 68C	74/1002R / 4C	Mazda 5
2022	83/1001R / 79C	76/1001R / 11C	Mazda 5
2021	78/1003R / 180C	71/1002R / 14C	Mazda 5
2020	75/1005R / 127C	74/1001R / 83C	Mazda 5
2019	72/10012R / 325C	66/1005R / 185C	Mazda 5
2018	72/10010R / 423C	69/1005R / 148C	Mazda 5
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	75/100(predicted)	Mazda 5

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Mazda 5 scored 83/100 and the 2025 Subaru Impreza scored 77/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda 5 vs the Subaru Impreza?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer major repairs, the Mazda 5 might be your ideal choice. With an estimated annual repair cost of $581 and a lower major repair risk of 10%, it provides a more budget-friendly ownership experience. Despite having a higher recall count of 44, the Mazda 5 maintains a reliability score of 76/100, slightly above the Impreza. This makes it appealing if your focus is on cost efficiency and reduced risk of significant repairs. On the other hand, if you value a car with fewer complaints and a lower repair frequency, the Subaru Impreza could be better suited for you. It has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (4.1) and a repair frequency of 0.3 times per year. Although its reliability score is slightly lower at 73/100, the Impreza's focus on visibility and lighting issues might be less critical than the Mazda 5's engine and power train concerns. Choose the Impreza if you prefer a smoother ownership experience with fewer day-to-day issues.

Mazda 5 vs Subaru Impreza: Common Questions

Is the Mazda 5 more reliable than the Subaru Impreza?: Based on our data, the Mazda 5 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda 5 or the Subaru Impreza?: The Mazda 5 has more recalls (44) compared to the Subaru Impreza (18). 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 Mazda 5 or the Subaru Impreza?: The Subaru Impreza has fewer owner complaints (470) versus 1314 for the Mazda 5. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Mazda 5 or the Subaru Impreza?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 5 is cheaper to maintain at $581/year versus $653/year for the Subaru Impreza.

More Mazda 5 comparisons

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More Subaru Impreza 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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