Is the Mazda CX-5 more reliable than the Subaru Forester?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-5 is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-5 or the Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester has more recalls (13) compared to the Mazda CX-5 (11). 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-5 or the Subaru Forester?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-5 has a lower complaint rate at 5.6 per 10,000 sold versus 8.7 for the Subaru Forester. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Mazda CX-5 or the Subaru Forester?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-5 is cheaper to maintain at $447/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.

Is the Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester safer?

Both the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester 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

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mazda CX-5

Excellent

Subaru Forester

Good

Choosing between the Mazda CX-5 and the Subaru Forester? 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 Mazda CX-5 currently leads with an average score of 81/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester Generations Compare?

As of 2025, both the Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 are transitioning into new generations. The Subaru Forester is moving from its fifth generation (2019–2025) into its sixth generation (2025), while the Mazda CX-5 is shifting from its second generation (2017–2025) to its third generation (2026). The Forester's fifth generation received a facelift in 2022, making it a mature platform, typically indicating well-sorted reliability. In contrast, the CX-5 is approaching the end of its second generation, also having had a facelift in 2022, suggesting its design and engineering have been refined over time. Generally, mature platforms like these tend to exhibit fewer reliability issues compared to newer, early-generation models.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-5 is more reliable than the Subaru Forester, scoring 81/100 vs 74/100.

The Mazda CX-5 demonstrates superior reliability with a higher average reliability score of 93/100 compared to the Subaru Forester's 77/100. It also has a lower owner complaint rate at 5.6 per 10,000 sold, versus the Forester's 8.7, and fewer recalls over a similar period. Additionally, the CX-5 benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $447, compared to the Forester's $632. These factors make the Mazda CX-5 a more reliable choice in the compact SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-5 costs $185 less per year to repair
2Mazda CX-5 scores 7 points higher in reliability
3Mazda CX-5 has 5% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

6Mazda CX-5

—

0Subaru Forester

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-5	Subaru Forester
Reliability Score	81/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	11	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.6	8.7
Annual Repair Cost	$447/yr	$632/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	8%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	8	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester?

The Subaru Forester exhibits a significant number of complaints related to visibility and wipers, totaling 819, which is the highest category for this model and not as prominent in the Mazda CX-5. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5 has its most frequent issues with the engine, accounting for 263 complaints, although these are mostly non-crash-linked. Notably, the Subaru Forester has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, with 22 reported, compared to the Mazda CX-5's 11 crash-linked air bag complaints. Both models share concerns in the electrical system and power train areas, but the Forester's visibility issues and crash-linked air bag complaints are particularly pronounced.

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-5	Subaru Forester
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	3.1Average
ENGINE	1.5Low	0.4Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	1.2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	1.2Low
POWER TRAIN	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Subaru Forester incurs an annual repair cost of $632, compared to $447 for the Mazda CX-5. This $185 difference annually translates to $925 over five years. The Forester also has a higher repair frequency, with 0.4 visits per year compared to the CX-5's 0.3, suggesting more frequent maintenance needs. Additionally, the Forester carries a 13% risk of major repairs, while the CX-5's risk is only 8%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Mazda CX-5 offers better value, with lower annual repair expenses, less frequent service visits, and a reduced chance of significant repair costs.

How Does Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-5	Subaru Forester	Edge
2025	82/1003R / 25C	79/1002R / 48C	Mazda CX-5
2024	84/1001R / 53C	78/1002R / 26C	Mazda CX-5
2023	81/1002R / 96C	79/1001R / 61C	Mazda CX-5
2022	87/1000R / 50C	77/1001R / 86C	Mazda CX-5
2021	83/1000R / 129C	76/1000R / 196C	Mazda CX-5
2020	86/1000R / 94C	71/1000R / 584C	Mazda CX-5
2019	75/1002R / 229C	63/1003R / 825C	Mazda CX-5
2018	71/1003R / 310C	66/1003R / 475C	Mazda CX-5
2026(predicted)	73/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Subaru Forester

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Mazda CX-5 scored 87/100 and the 2025 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-5 vs the Subaru Forester?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Mazda CX-5 is the better choice. With a high reliability score of 93/100, fewer recalls, and only 5.6 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers peace of mind. The annual repair cost is estimated at $447, and the repair frequency is 0.3 times per year, making it an economical option. The risk of a major repair is also lower at 8%, which means fewer unexpected expenses. On the other hand, if you value specific features that the Subaru Forester offers, despite its lower reliability score of 77/100, it might still be a contender. However, be prepared for a higher estimated annual repair cost of $632 and a slightly higher repair frequency of 0.4 times per year. The Forester has more recalls and owner complaints, but if you are drawn to its unique offerings and are prepared for potential visibility, wiper, and electrical system issues, it could still meet your needs.

Mazda CX-5 vs Subaru Forester: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-5 more reliable than the Subaru Forester?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-5 is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-5 or the Subaru Forester?: The Subaru Forester has more recalls (13) compared to the Mazda CX-5 (11). 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-5 or the Subaru Forester?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-5 has a lower complaint rate at 5.6 per 10,000 sold versus 8.7 for the Subaru Forester. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Mazda CX-5 or the Subaru Forester?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-5 is cheaper to maintain at $447/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.
Is the Mazda CX-5 or Subaru Forester safer?: Both the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester 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 Mazda CX-5 comparisons

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More Subaru Forester comparisons

Subaru Forester vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Subaru Forester vs Honda CR-V reliability Subaru Forester vs Mazda CX-50 reliability Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Subaru Forester reliability by year Subaru Forester 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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