Last updated: 2026-08-24
Mazda CX-9 vs Nissan Ariya: Reliability Compared
Mazda CX-9
Nissan Ariya
Choosing between the Mazda CX-9 and the Nissan Ariya? 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 Nissan Ariya currently leads with an average score of 85/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Nissan Ariya is more reliable than the Mazda CX-9, scoring 85/100 vs 76/100.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-9 has 97.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Nissan Ariya costs $39 less per year to repair
- 3Nissan Ariya scores 9 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Mazda CX-9 vs Nissan Ariya: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Mazda CX-9 | Nissan Ariya |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 85/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 6 | 4 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 15 | 112.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $539/yr | $500/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2023 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-9 and Nissan Ariya?
| Component | Mazda CX-9 | Nissan Ariya |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 56.4High |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.2Low | 19.5High |
| ENGINE | 5.7Average | 4.3Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2Low | 4.3Average |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 4.3Average |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 4.3Average |
| STRUCTURE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| Chest Clip | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Mazda CX-9 vs Nissan Ariya Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Mazda CX-9 | Nissan Ariya | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 81/1000R / 12C | 76/1004R / 39C | Mazda CX-9 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 and the 2023 Nissan Ariya scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Mazda CX-9 vs Nissan Ariya: Common Questions
- Is the Mazda CX-9 more reliable than the Nissan Ariya?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Ariya is more reliable with an average score of 85/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-9 or the Nissan Ariya?
- The Mazda CX-9 has more recalls (6) compared to the Nissan Ariya (4). 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-9 or the Nissan Ariya?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-9 has a lower complaint rate at 15 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 112.8 for the Nissan Ariya. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Mazda CX-9 or the Nissan Ariya?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Ariya is cheaper to maintain at $500/year versus $539/year for the Mazda CX-9.
- Is the Mazda CX-9 or Nissan Ariya safer?
- Both the Mazda CX-9 and Nissan Ariya 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-9 comparisons
Decided between Mazda CX-9 and Nissan Ariya? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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