Last updated: 2026-07-26
Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9: Reliability Compared
Honda Pilot
Mazda CX-9
Choosing between the Honda Pilot and the Mazda CX-9? 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 Mazda CX-9 currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-9 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Mazda CX-9 is more reliable than the Honda Pilot, scoring 76/100 vs 68/100.
The Mazda CX-9 demonstrates stronger reliability with a higher average reliability score of 76/100 compared to the Honda Pilot's 68/100. The CX-9 also has a significantly lower total recall count of 6 over six years, against the Pilot’s 51 recalls over nine years. While the Honda Pilot has a lower owner complaint rate of 9.1 per 10,000 sold, the Mazda CX-9's slightly higher rate of 15 is offset by its fewer recalls and similar estimated annual repair costs of around $540. Overall, the Mazda CX-9 edges out in reliability, particularly due to its recall history and reliability score.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-9 has 45 fewer total recalls
- 2Mazda CX-9 scores 8 points higher in reliability
- 3Honda Pilot has 5.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Honda Pilot | Mazda CX-9 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 68/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 51 | 6 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.1 | 15 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $542/yr | $539/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.5/yr | 0.6/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 13% | 10% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2023 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 6 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-9?
The Honda Pilot exhibits a higher overall number of complaints compared to the Mazda CX-9, with significant issues in the electrical system, which accounts for 632 complaints, including 7 linked to crashes. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9's most reported problem area is the engine, with 95 complaints, but none crash-linked. The Pilot also shows a notable number of crash-linked complaints in service brakes (9) and forward collision avoidance (3), suggesting potential safety concerns. Meanwhile, the CX-9 has a higher proportion of crash-linked complaints in the air bags category, indicating a possible focus area for safety improvements.
| Component | Honda Pilot | Mazda CX-9 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 1Very Low | 5.7Average |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.4Low | 1.5Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1Very Low | 2Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 1.2Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| Chest Clip | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-9?
How Does Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Honda Pilot | Mazda CX-9 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 72/1005R / 93C | 81/1000R / 12C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2022 | 72/1003R / 105C | 81/1000R / 9C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2021 | 63/1008R / 358C | 77/1001R / 35C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2020 | 60/1009R / 431C | 78/1001R / 19C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2019 | 56/10011R / 794C | 73/1002R / 52C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2018 | 63/1005R / 408C | 66/1002R / 125C | Mazda CX-9 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 and the 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Honda Pilot vs the Mazda CX-9?
Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-9: Common Questions
- Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Mazda CX-9?
- Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX-9?
- The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) compared to the Mazda CX-9 (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 Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX-9?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Pilot has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX-9?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $542/year for the Honda Pilot.
- Is the Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-9 safer?
- Both the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-9 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
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Decided between Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-9? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue