Is the Mazda CX-9 more reliable than the Subaru Ascent?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-9 or the Subaru Ascent?

The Subaru Ascent has more recalls (16) 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 Mazda CX-9 or the Subaru Ascent?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Ascent has a lower complaint rate at 9.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Mazda CX-9 or Subaru Ascent safer?

Both the Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Ascent 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: 2026-07-26

Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Ascent: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mazda CX-9

Good

Subaru Ascent

Good

Choosing between the Mazda CX-9 and the Subaru Ascent? 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 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Ascent Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Subaru Ascent is in its first generation, launched in 2019, with a notable facelift in 2023. Being relatively new, it's common for first-generation models to experience initial teething issues, but Subaru's update in 2023 likely addressed early feedback, potentially enhancing reliability. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 is in its second generation, introduced in 2016, and set to conclude in 2024. This generation, having been on the market for several years, is likely more refined, benefiting from ongoing improvements over time. The mature platform of the CX-9 suggests that many reliability issues have been addressed, offering a well-sorted option for buyers.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-9 is more reliable than the Subaru Ascent, scoring 76/100 vs 69/100.

The Mazda CX-9 edges out the Subaru Ascent in reliability with a higher average score of 76/100 compared to the Ascent's 69/100. Despite having a higher owner complaint rate of 15 per 10,000 sold, the CX-9 has significantly fewer recalls, totaling 6 over six years, compared to the Ascent's 16 over seven years. However, the CX-9 does have notable common issues in areas like the engine and electrical system, whereas the Ascent has no major issues identified. Independent repair cost estimates for the CX-9 are $539 annually, which provides a clearer picture of maintenance expenses, a detail not available for the Ascent.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-9 has 10 fewer total recalls
2Mazda CX-9 scores 7 points higher in reliability
3Subaru Ascent has 5.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2Mazda CX-9

—

1Subaru Ascent

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Ascent: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Ascent at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-9	Subaru Ascent
Reliability Score	76/100	69/100
Years Tracked	6	7
Total Recalls	6	16
Complaints per 10k Sold	15	9.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2023 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	4	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Ascent?

The Subaru Ascent, with a total of 879 complaints, lacks detailed component-specific problem data, making it challenging to pinpoint specific areas of concern. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 has 252 complaints with identifiable issues, notably in the engine category, which accounts for 95 complaints. The CX-9 also has several crash-linked complaints, particularly concerning the air bags with four incidents and other components like the service brakes, power train, and steering, each linked to crashes. This data suggests the Mazda CX-9 has significant safety-related concerns that are traceable to specific components, unlike the Subaru Ascent, whose problem specifics remain unclear.

Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Ascent common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-9	Subaru Ascent
ENGINE	5.7Average	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2Low	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	—None
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.4Very Low	—None
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.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Mazda CX-9 or Subaru Ascent?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Mazda CX-9 has an annual repair cost of $539, with an average of 0.6 repair visits per year and a 10% risk of major repairs. Unfortunately, specific data for the Subaru Ascent is unavailable, making direct comparisons challenging. However, the Mazda CX-9's relatively low repair frequency and moderate major repair risk suggest it is a reliable choice. For cost-conscious buyers, the Mazda CX-9 presents a predictable maintenance profile with clear cost expectations. Without comparable data, it's difficult to assess the Subaru Ascent's value, but the Mazda CX-9's transparency in maintenance costs makes it an attractive option for budget-focused ownership.

How Does Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Ascent Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Ascent year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-9	Subaru Ascent	Edge
2023	81/1000R / 12C	71/1003R / 36C	Mazda CX-9
2022	81/1000R / 9C	70/1001R / 50C	Mazda CX-9
2020	78/1001R / 19C	58/1004R / 310C	Mazda CX-9
2019	73/1002R / 52C	55/1008R / 431C	Mazda CX-9

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 and the 2023 Subaru Ascent scored 71/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-9 vs the Subaru Ascent?

If you prioritize a higher reliability score and fewer recalls, the Mazda CX-9 might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 76/100 and only six total recalls, it offers a more dependable ride than the Subaru Ascent. However, keep in mind the CX-9's annual repair cost is estimated at $539, and there's a 10% risk of major repairs, which means you should be prepared for potential maintenance expenses. On the other hand, if you prefer a model with fewer owner complaints relative to sales, consider the Subaru Ascent. It has fewer complaints per 10,000 sold (9.2) compared to the CX-9's 15. While the Ascent has a slightly lower reliability score of 69/100 and a higher number of recalls (16), it doesn't have any identified top issues, providing peace of mind regarding specific problem areas. Choose the Ascent if complaint frequency and issue transparency are your main concerns.

Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Ascent: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-9 more reliable than the Subaru Ascent?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-9 or the Subaru Ascent?: The Subaru Ascent has more recalls (16) 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 Mazda CX-9 or the Subaru Ascent?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Subaru Ascent has a lower complaint rate at 9.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15 for the Mazda CX-9. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Mazda CX-9 or Subaru Ascent safer?: Both the Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Ascent 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-9 comparisons

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More Subaru Ascent comparisons

Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Highlander reliability Subaru Ascent vs Honda Pilot reliability Subaru Ascent vs Hyundai Palisade reliability Subaru Ascent vs KIA Telluride reliability Subaru Ascent reliability by year Subaru Ascent 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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