Is the Mazda CX-30 more reliable than the Toyota Corolla Cross?

Based on our data, the Toyota Corolla Cross is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-30 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?

The Toyota Corolla Cross has more recalls (12) compared to the Mazda CX-30 (10). 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 CX-30 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-30 has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Toyota Corolla Cross. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-28

Mazda CX-30 vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Reliability Compared

Mazda CX-30

Good

More Reliable

Toyota Corolla Cross

Good

Choosing between the Mazda CX-30 and the Toyota Corolla Cross? 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 suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Corolla Cross currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Toyota Corolla Cross is in its first generation, which debuted in 2022 and received a significant facelift for the 2026 model year. This places the Corolla Cross in the latter part of its generation cycle, typically a period when vehicles have had initial issues addressed, contributing to improved reliability. In contrast, the Mazda CX-30 remains in its first generation, introduced in 2020, without any detailed information on subsequent redesigns or facelifts. Being an older model in its generation cycle, the CX-30 benefits from a mature platform that often results in well-sorted reliability.

Verdict

The Toyota Corolla Cross is more reliable than the Mazda CX-30, scoring 79/100 vs 66/100.

The Toyota Corolla Cross boasts a higher average reliability score of 79/100 compared to the Mazda CX-30's 66/100, indicating better overall dependability. Both models have similar recall histories, with the Corolla Cross having slightly more recalls (12 over 5 years) than the CX-30 (10 over 7 years). However, the Corolla Cross has a higher owner complaint rate of 8 per 10,000 sold versus the CX-30's 5.7, suggesting more frequent issues among owners. The key differentiator is the Corolla Cross's superior reliability score, though prospective buyers should consider the higher complaint rate.

Key Differences

1Toyota Corolla Cross scores 13 points higher in reliability
2Mazda CX-30 has 2.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mazda CX-30 has 2 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

2Mazda CX-30

—

1Toyota Corolla Cross

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Mazda CX-30 vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-30 vs Toyota Corolla Cross at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-30	Toyota Corolla Cross
Reliability Score	66/100	79/100
Years Tracked	7	5
Total Recalls	10	12
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.7	8
Year Wins	0	4

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross?

The Toyota Corolla Cross and Mazda CX-30 exhibit distinct problem profiles, with each showing unique areas of concern. The Corolla Cross has a notable number of complaints in its electrical system (52) and steering (49), with both categories having crash-linked issues, indicating potential safety risks. In contrast, the Mazda CX-30's primary area of concern is the engine, with 44 complaints, and it also reports a significant number of crash-linked issues in its service brakes (15 complaints, 6 crash-linked), which suggests a critical safety concern. Both models have similar levels of complaints in the air bags category, but the CX-30's higher frequency of crash-linked brake issues may warrant closer scrutiny in terms of overall safety performance.

Mazda CX-30 vs Toyota Corolla Cross common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-30	Toyota Corolla Cross
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.8Very Low	1.6Low
ENGINE	1.2Low	0.8Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.7Very Low	0.9Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	1.5Low
POWER TRAIN	0.3Very Low	0.5Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.3Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEATS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
WHEELS	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low

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

How Does Mazda CX-30 vs Toyota Corolla Cross Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-30 vs Toyota Corolla Cross year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-30	Toyota Corolla Cross	Edge
2025	68/1001R / 22C	86/1000R / 15C	Toyota Corolla Cross
2024	68/1002R / 23C	82/1002R / 37C	Toyota Corolla Cross
2023	68/1001R / 20C	69/1008R / 168C	Toyota Corolla Cross
2022	67/1001R / 28C	80/1002R / 37C	Toyota Corolla Cross
2026(predicted)	68/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Toyota Corolla Cross

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Mazda CX-30 scored 68/100 and the 2025 Toyota Corolla Cross scored 86/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-30 vs the Toyota Corolla Cross?

If you prioritize reliability and are looking for a vehicle with a stronger track record, the Toyota Corolla Cross is a solid choice. With a reliability score of 79/100, it outperforms the Mazda CX-30's score of 66/100. While the Corolla Cross has faced 12 recalls, slightly more than the CX-30's 10, it maintains a good balance between reliability and performance. However, be aware of potential issues with its electrical system and steering. On the other hand, if you are concerned about owner satisfaction and fewer complaints, the Mazda CX-30 might appeal to you. It has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, with a rate of 5.7 compared to the Corolla Cross's 8. This suggests a slightly better owner experience in terms of reported problems. Nonetheless, you should consider its lower reliability score and be prepared for potential issues with the engine and service brakes. Ultimately, if reliability is your top priority, go with the Toyota Corolla Cross. If you're more focused on customer satisfaction and fewer complaints, the Mazda CX-30 could be your pick.

Mazda CX-30 vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-30 more reliable than the Toyota Corolla Cross?: Based on our data, the Toyota Corolla Cross is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-30 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?: The Toyota Corolla Cross has more recalls (12) compared to the Mazda CX-30 (10). 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 CX-30 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-30 has a lower complaint rate at 5.7 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Toyota Corolla Cross. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Mazda CX-30 comparisons

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More Toyota Corolla Cross comparisons

Toyota Corolla Cross vs Honda HR-V reliability Toyota Corolla Cross vs Chevrolet Trax reliability Toyota Corolla Cross vs Chevrolet Equinox reliability Toyota Corolla Cross vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Toyota Corolla Cross reliability by year Toyota Corolla Cross years to avoid

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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