Last updated: 2026-10-10
Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Legacy: Reliability Compared
Mazda CX-9
Subaru Legacy
Choosing between the Mazda CX-9 and the Subaru Legacy? 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 75/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Mazda CX-9 is more reliable than the Subaru Legacy, scoring 76/100 vs 75/100.
Key Differences
- 1Mazda CX-9 costs $24 less per year to repair
- 2Mazda CX-9 has 13 fewer total recalls
- 3Mazda CX-9 has 6.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Legacy: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Mazda CX-9 | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 76/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 6 | 19 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 15 | 21.2 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $539/yr | $563/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.6/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 10% | 12% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2023 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 5 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Legacy?
| Component | Mazda CX-9 | Subaru Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.1Very Low | 6.5Average |
| ENGINE | 5.7Average | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 4.5Average |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2Low | 3.6Average |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.2Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.9Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.7Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| Chest Clip | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 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 Subaru Legacy Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Mazda CX-9 | Subaru Legacy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 81/1000R / 12C | 77/1002R / 10C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2022 | 81/1000R / 9C | 77/1002R / 32C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2021 | 77/1001R / 35C | 75/1003R / 31C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2020 | 78/1001R / 19C | 67/1006R / 121C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2019 | 73/1002R / 52C | 69/1003R / 123C | Mazda CX-9 |
| 2018 | 66/1002R / 125C | 70/1003R / 116C | Subaru Legacy |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 and the 2023 Subaru Legacy scored 77/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Mazda CX-9 vs Subaru Legacy: Common Questions
- Is the Mazda CX-9 more reliable than the Subaru Legacy?
- Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 75/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-9 or the Subaru Legacy?
- The Subaru Legacy has more recalls (19) 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 Legacy?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda CX-9 has a lower complaint rate at 15 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 21.2 for the Subaru Legacy. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Mazda CX-9 or the Subaru Legacy?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda CX-9 is cheaper to maintain at $539/year versus $563/year for the Subaru Legacy.
- Is the Mazda CX-9 or Subaru Legacy safer?
- Both the Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Legacy 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 Subaru Legacy? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Mazda CX-9 and Subaru Legacy
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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