Is the Mazda CX-50 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 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-50 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?

The Toyota Corolla Cross has more recalls (12) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (6). 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-50 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Corolla Cross has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Reliability Compared

Mazda CX-50

Good

More Reliable

Toyota Corolla Cross

Good

Choosing between the Mazda CX-50 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 midsize 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 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota Corolla Cross Generations Compare?

The Toyota Corolla Cross is currently in its first generation, which began in 2022. This model is still early in its generation cycle, with a facelift expected in the 2025 model year. Being in its initial years, the Corolla Cross may experience typical first-year issues as engineering kinks are worked out. On the other hand, the Mazda CX-50 is also in its first generation, starting in 2023, with an update planned for 2025. As both models are early in their lifecycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms might present initial reliability challenges, although mid-cycle updates can address some early issues.

Verdict

The Toyota Corolla Cross is more reliable than the Mazda CX-50, scoring 79/100 vs 67/100.

The Toyota Corolla Cross demonstrates superior reliability with an impressive average score of 95/100 compared to the Mazda CX-50's 66/100. Despite having more recalls, the Corolla Cross has significantly fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, at 8 versus the CX-50's 27.4, indicating better overall customer satisfaction. While both vehicles face issues with their electrical systems, the Corolla Cross offers a more dependable option for those prioritizing reliability in a compact SUV.

Key Differences

1Toyota Corolla Cross has 19.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Toyota Corolla Cross scores 12 points higher in reliability
3Mazda CX-50 has 6 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

1Mazda CX-50

—

2Toyota Corolla Cross

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota Corolla Cross at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-50	Toyota Corolla Cross
Reliability Score	67/100	79/100
Years Tracked	4	5
Total Recalls	6	12
Complaints per 10k Sold	27.4	8
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota Corolla Cross?

The Toyota Corolla Cross exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system and steering components, with notable crash-linked issues in both areas. Its air bags also present a significant safety concern, with five crash-linked complaints. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 has a smaller overall complaint profile, but issues with the service brakes and forward collision avoidance systems have resulted in crash-linked incidents. While the Corolla Cross shows a broader range of problem categories, the CX-50's focus on fewer areas may indicate more concentrated reliability challenges.

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota Corolla Cross common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-50	Toyota Corolla Cross
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.1Average	0.9Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.3Low	1.6Low
STEERING	2Low	1.5Low
SERVICE BRAKES	3.1Average	0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN	2.9Low	0.5Very Low
STRUCTURE	2.9Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	2Low	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.7Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.8Very Low
SEATS	0.6Very Low	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.7Very Low
WHEELS	0.6Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.6Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.6Very 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-50 vs Toyota Corolla Cross Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota Corolla Cross year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-50	Toyota Corolla Cross	Edge
2025	66/1003R / 21C	86/1000R / 15C	Toyota Corolla Cross
2024	71/1001R / 26C	82/1002R / 37C	Toyota Corolla Cross
2023	65/1002R / 49C	69/1008R / 168C	Toyota Corolla Cross
2026(predicted)	67/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Toyota Corolla Cross

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 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-50 vs the Toyota Corolla Cross?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Toyota Corolla Cross is your best bet. With a high reliability score of 95/100, it significantly outperforms the Mazda CX-50. Despite having 12 recalls, the Corolla Cross has only 8 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, indicating strong overall satisfaction and fewer issues encountered by owners. Its top issues, including electrical and steering, are relatively minor compared to more critical concerns. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Mazda CX-50, be prepared to address potential concerns with service brakes and powertrain, given its lower reliability score of 66/100 and higher complaint rate of 27.4 per 10,000 sold. While it has fewer recalls at 6, the nature and frequency of complaints could lead to more frequent service visits. Choose the CX-50 if its design or features particularly appeal to you and you're comfortable with the trade-offs.

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota Corolla Cross: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-50 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 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-50 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?: The Toyota Corolla Cross has more recalls (12) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (6). 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-50 or the Toyota Corolla Cross?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Corolla Cross has a lower complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Mazda CX-50 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 Hyundai Tucson reliability Toyota Corolla Cross vs KIA Sportage reliability Toyota Corolla Cross reliability by year Toyota Corolla Cross years to avoid

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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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