Last updated: 2026-03-04
Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: Reliability Compared
Mazda CX-5
Toyota RAV4
Choosing between the Mazda CX-5 and the Toyota RAV4? 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 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mazda CX-5 is more reliable than the Toyota RAV4, scoring 81/100 vs 76/100.
The Mazda CX-5 surpasses the Toyota RAV4 in reliability, boasting a higher average reliability score of 93/100 compared to the RAV4's 85/100. While the CX-5 has a slightly higher owner complaint rate at 5.6 per 10,000 units, it has significantly fewer recalls—11 over nine years versus the RAV4's 53 over eight years. Both models have similar annual repair costs, with the CX-5 at $447 and the RAV4 at $429, making the recall history the key differentiator favoring the CX-5. Overall, the CX-5 offers a more reliable choice with fewer recall issues, despite a marginally higher complaint rate.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-5 has 42 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota RAV4 costs $18 less per year to repair
- 3Mazda CX-5 scores 5 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 81/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 11 | 53 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.6 | 4.4 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $447/yr | $429/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 8% | 10% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 6 | 2 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the RAV4 accumulating a significantly higher total number of complaints. The RAV4's most reported issues are with the electrical system and an unspecified "unknown or other" category, both of which also have a notable number of crash-linked incidents, particularly in the air bags category with 71 crash-linked complaints. In contrast, the Mazda CX-5's primary concern lies with the engine, though it has fewer total complaints, and its air bags category also presents a high number of crash-linked incidents relative to its overall complaint count. While the RAV4 shows a broader distribution of issues across multiple categories, the CX-5's problems are more concentrated, highlighting specific areas such as the engine and service brakes.
| Component | Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1.5Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.6Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —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 Toyota RAV4?
How Does Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Mazda CX-5 | Toyota RAV4 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 82/1003R / 25C | 84/1005R / 49C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2024 | 84/1001R / 53C | 80/1006R / 150C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2023 | 81/1002R / 96C | 80/1006R / 147C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2022 | 87/1000R / 50C | 80/1006R / 133C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2021 | 83/1000R / 129C | 73/1006R / 450C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2020 | 86/1000R / 94C | 70/10011R / 611C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2019 | 75/1002R / 229C | 66/10010R / 864C | Mazda CX-5 |
| 2018 | 71/1003R / 310C | 76/1003R / 330C | Toyota RAV4 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Mazda CX-5 scored 87/100 and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-5 vs the Toyota RAV4?
Mazda CX-5 vs Toyota RAV4: Common Questions
- Is the Mazda CX-5 more reliable than the Toyota RAV4?
- Based on our data, the Mazda CX-5 is more reliable with an average score of 81/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-5 or the Toyota RAV4?
- The Toyota RAV4 has more recalls (53) 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 Toyota RAV4?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota RAV4 has a lower complaint rate at 4.4 per 10,000 sold versus 5.6 for the Mazda CX-5. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Mazda CX-5 or the Toyota RAV4?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota RAV4 is cheaper to maintain at $429/year versus $447/year for the Mazda CX-5.
- Is the Mazda CX-5 or Toyota RAV4 safer?
- Both the Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Mazda CX-5 comparisons
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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