Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-50 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan has more recalls (35) 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a lower complaint rate at 9.3 per 10,000 sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Mazda CX-50 or Volkswagen Tiguan safer?

Both the Mazda CX-50 and Volkswagen Tiguan 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-50 vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Reliability Compared

Mazda CX-50

Good

More Reliable

Volkswagen Tiguan

Good

Choosing between the Mazda CX-50 and the Volkswagen Tiguan? 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 Volkswagen Tiguan currently leads with an average score of 68/100 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 Volkswagen Tiguan Generations Compare?

The Volkswagen Tiguan is currently in its third generation, having been redesigned for the 2024 model year. This places it early in its generation cycle, where models can sometimes exhibit first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial production quirks. The second-generation Tiguan, which ran from 2016 to 2023 and received a facelift in 2021, is more mature and likely to have more consistent reliability due to the refinement over its lifecycle. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 is in its first generation, introduced in 2023. Being early in its cycle, the CX-50 may also face typical new-model challenges. However, with a facelift planned for 2025, Mazda is likely to address initial feedback and improve upon any early issues. Buyers seeking reliability might favor models from the Tiguan's previous generation or wait for the CX-50's mid-cycle updates.

Verdict

The Volkswagen Tiguan is more reliable than the Mazda CX-50, scoring 68/100 vs 67/100.

The Volkswagen Tiguan and Mazda CX-50 present a close contest in reliability with the Tiguan achieving a slightly higher average reliability score of 68/100 compared to the CX-50's 66/100. The Tiguan, with 35 recalls over nine years, has a lower owner complaint rate of 9.3 per 10,000 sold, whereas the CX-50, despite fewer recalls, shows a higher complaint rate of 27.4 per 10,000 sold. Independent repair cost estimates for the Tiguan average $730 annually, while comparable data for the CX-50 is unavailable. The key differentiators are the Tiguan's lower complaint rate and more extensive recall history, suggesting it may offer a marginally more reliable ownership experience.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-50 has 29 fewer total recalls
2Volkswagen Tiguan has 18.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Volkswagen Tiguan scores 1 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Mazda CX-50

—

2Volkswagen Tiguan

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Mazda CX-50 vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-50 vs Volkswagen Tiguan at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-50	Volkswagen Tiguan
Reliability Score	67/100	68/100
Years Tracked	4	9
Total Recalls	6	35
Complaints per 10k Sold	27.4	9.3
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-50 and Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan has a significantly higher volume of complaints compared to the Mazda CX-50, with particular issues in the electrical system (176 complaints, 2 crash-linked) and engine (128 complaints, 1 crash-linked). In contrast, the CX-50's most notable concerns are in service brakes and unknown or other categories, with each having 11 complaints, and fewer crash-linked incidents overall. While both models experience issues with power train and forward collision avoidance, the Tiguan's higher complaint numbers in crucial areas like the engine and electrical system suggest more severe reliability concerns. Additionally, the Tiguan has a higher number of crash-linked complaints, particularly in unknown or other and electrical system categories, which may indicate more significant safety-related issues.

Mazda CX-50 vs Volkswagen Tiguan common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-50	Volkswagen Tiguan
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.1Average	1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	2.9Low	1.2Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.3Low	1.7Low
SERVICE BRAKES	3.1Average	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	2.9Low	0.4Very Low
STEERING	2Low	0.3Very Low
SUSPENSION	2Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.7Low	0.3Very Low
ENGINE	—None	1.2Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.6Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.6Very Low	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.6Very Low	—None
WHEELS	0.6Very Low	—None
SEATS	0.6Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.2Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—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-50 or Volkswagen Tiguan?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Volkswagen Tiguan incurs an average annual repair cost of $730, with owners typically visiting the shop 0.9 times per year and facing a 12% risk of a major repair. In contrast, specific data for the Mazda CX-50 is unavailable, but industry estimates for similar models suggest potentially lower maintenance costs and repair frequencies. Considering the Tiguan's repair frequency and higher major repair risk, the CX-50 may offer better value for cost-conscious buyers. If the CX-50 aligns with Mazda's reputation for reliability, it could result in fewer visits to the shop and less risk of costly repairs, translating to potential savings over time.

How Does Mazda CX-50 vs Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-50 vs Volkswagen Tiguan year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-50	Volkswagen Tiguan	Edge
2025	66/1003R / 21C	73/1002R / 18C	Volkswagen Tiguan
2024	71/1001R / 26C	75/1001R / 38C	Volkswagen Tiguan
2023	65/1002R / 49C	73/1001R / 49C	Volkswagen Tiguan
2026(predicted)	67/100(predicted)	74/100(predicted)	Volkswagen Tiguan

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan scored 75/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-50 vs the Volkswagen Tiguan?

If you prioritize a slightly higher reliability score and are concerned about major repair risks, the Volkswagen Tiguan might be a better fit for you. With a reliability score of 68/100, it edges out the Mazda CX-50. Despite its higher number of recalls (35), the Tiguan has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (9.3) and a slightly lower major repair risk at 12%. However, its estimated annual repair cost is $730, so budget accordingly for maintenance. On the other hand, if you are looking for a vehicle with fewer recalls and are willing to accept a higher number of owner complaints, consider the Mazda CX-50. It has only 6 recalls, which suggests better initial build quality in some areas. While specific repair costs and frequency data aren't available, the focus on service brakes and other structural issues might be concerning. Choose this vehicle if recall frequency is a top priority for you.

Mazda CX-50 vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-50 more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan?: Based on our data, the Volkswagen Tiguan is more reliable with an average score of 68/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-50 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?: The Volkswagen Tiguan has more recalls (35) 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Tiguan has a lower complaint rate at 9.3 per 10,000 sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Mazda CX-50 or Volkswagen Tiguan safer?: Both the Mazda CX-50 and Volkswagen Tiguan 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-50 comparisons

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More Volkswagen Tiguan comparisons

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR-V reliability Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Volkswagen Tiguan vs Subaru Forester reliability Volkswagen Tiguan vs Kia Sportage reliability Volkswagen Tiguan reliability by year Volkswagen Tiguan 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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