Last updated: 2026-03-28
Chevrolet Trax vs Mazda CX-30: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Trax
Mazda CX-30
Choosing between the Chevrolet Trax and the Mazda CX-30? 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 subcompact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Trax currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Chevrolet Trax is more reliable than the Mazda CX-30, scoring 80/100 vs 66/100.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Trax scores 14 points higher in reliability
- 2Chevrolet Trax has 5 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Trax has 1.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Trax vs Mazda CX-30: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Trax | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 80/100 | 66/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 7 |
| Total Recalls | 5 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.6 | 5.7 |
| Year Wins | 5 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Trax and Mazda CX-30?
| Component | Chevrolet Trax | Mazda CX-30 |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.6Very Low | 1.2Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.5Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Chevrolet Trax vs Mazda CX-30 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Trax | Mazda CX-30 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 85/1000R / 61C | 68/1001R / 22C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2024 | 80/1001R / 125C | 68/1002R / 23C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2022 | 81/1000R / 9C | 67/1001R / 28C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2021 | 81/1000R / 18C | 60/1002R / 94C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2020 | 81/1000R / 80C | 64/1003R / 31C | Chevrolet Trax |
| 2026(predicted) | 82/100(predicted) | 68/100(predicted) | Chevrolet Trax |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Chevrolet Trax scored 85/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-30 scored 68/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Chevrolet Trax vs Mazda CX-30: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Trax more reliable than the Mazda CX-30?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Trax is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Trax or the Mazda CX-30?
- The Mazda CX-30 has more recalls (10) compared to the Chevrolet Trax (5). 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 Chevrolet Trax or the Mazda CX-30?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Trax has a lower complaint rate at 4.6 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Mazda CX-30. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability 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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