Is the Mazda CX-9 more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-9 or the Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Toyota Highlander?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 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 Mazda CX-9 or the Toyota Highlander?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $539/year for the Mazda CX-9.

Is the Mazda CX-9 or Toyota Highlander safer?

Both the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander 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 Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mazda CX-9

Good

Toyota Highlander

Good

Choosing between the Mazda CX-9 and the Toyota Highlander? 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 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Toyota Highlander is in its fourth generation (XU70), introduced in 2020, with a fifth generation (XU80) expected in 2027. This current model is nearing the end of its cycle, suggesting that its design and mechanical issues have likely been addressed, enhancing its reliability. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9 is still in its second generation (TC), which began in 2016 and ran through 2024. The CX-9's longer tenure in this generation implies a well-sorted platform, with any initial bugs resolved over time. Both vehicles have matured within their respective generations, typically leading to improved reliability as their production runs conclude.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-9 is more reliable than the Toyota Highlander, scoring 76/100 vs 73/100.

The Mazda CX-9 edges ahead in reliability with an average score of 76/100 compared to the Toyota Highlander's 73/100. Despite the Highlander's lower owner complaint rate of 5.8 per 10,000 sold, it has faced significantly more recalls, 66 over nine years, compared to the CX-9's six over six years. The Highlander offers a slightly lower estimated annual repair cost at $489 versus the CX-9's $539. However, the CX-9's fewer recalls and higher reliability score suggest a more dependable choice for those prioritizing fewer manufacturer issues.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-9 has 60 fewer total recalls
2Toyota Highlander costs $50 less per year to repair
3Toyota Highlander has 9.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Mazda CX-9

—

3Toyota Highlander

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-9	Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score	76/100	73/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	6	66
Complaints per 10k Sold	15	5.8
Annual Repair Cost	$539/yr	$489/yr
Repair Frequency	0.6/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	10%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2023 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	1

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander exhibits a higher total complaint volume than the Mazda CX-9, with significant issues in the power train and air bags, where it has 485 and 162 complaints respectively, and a notable 41 crash-linked airbag incidents. In contrast, the Mazda CX-9's most frequent problem lies with the engine, accounting for 95 complaints, but it has fewer airbag issues, though all four complaints are crash-linked. The Highlander also shows a concerning pattern in service brakes with 179 complaints, 10 of which are crash-linked, whereas the CX-9 has only 11 complaints in this category. Overall, while both vehicles have areas requiring attention, the Highlander's higher volume of crash-linked airbag and brake complaints suggests a more pressing safety concern.

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-9	Toyota Highlander
ENGINE	5.7Average	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2Low	0.7Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.2Low	1.5Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.5Low	0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.7Very Low	0.6Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.5Very Low
STEERING	0.4Very Low	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.2Very Low	—None
Chest Clip	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
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: Mazda CX-9 or Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX-9 have distinct differences in maintenance and repair costs. The Highlander has an annual repair cost of $489, which is $50 less than the CX-9's $539. Over five years, this results in a $250 saving. The Highlander also has a lower repair frequency, with 0.3 visits per year compared to the CX-9's 0.6 visits, suggesting fewer disruptions for repairs. However, the Highlander carries a 13% risk of major repairs, slightly higher than the CX-9's 10%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Highlander offers better value with its lower annual costs and less frequent repair visits, despite a marginally higher major repair risk.

How Does Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-9	Toyota Highlander	Edge
2023	81/1000R / 12C	73/10013R / 140C	Mazda CX-9
2022	81/1000R / 9C	74/1007R / 186C	Mazda CX-9
2021	77/1001R / 35C	70/1006R / 403C	Mazda CX-9
2020	78/1001R / 19C	71/1008R / 269C	Mazda CX-9
2019	73/1002R / 52C	70/1003R / 414C	Mazda CX-9
2018	66/1002R / 125C	72/1005R / 242C	Toyota Highlander

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Mazda CX-9 scored 81/100 and the 2022 Toyota Highlander scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-9 vs the Toyota Highlander?

If you prioritize low running costs and minimal repair frequency, the Toyota Highlander might be your best bet. With an estimated annual repair cost of $489 and a lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, it offers potential savings over time. While its reliability score is slightly lower at 73 compared to the Mazda CX-9, the Highlander has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold (5.8) and a slightly higher major repair risk of 13%. However, it has a significant number of recalls, which could be a concern. If reliability and fewer recalls are your top priorities, consider the Mazda CX-9. It boasts a higher reliability score of 76 and only 6 total recalls, suggesting fewer manufacturer-related issues. Despite a higher annual repair cost of $539 and a repair frequency of 0.6 times per year, the CX-9 has a lower major repair risk of 10%. Keep in mind its higher owner complaint rate, but if recalls are a deal-breaker for you, this might be the right choice.

Mazda CX-9 vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-9 more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-9 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-9 or the Toyota Highlander?: The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Toyota Highlander?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Highlander has a lower complaint rate at 5.8 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 Mazda CX-9 or the Toyota Highlander?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $539/year for the Mazda CX-9.
Is the Mazda CX-9 or Toyota Highlander safer?: Both the Mazda CX-9 and Toyota Highlander 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 Toyota Highlander comparisons

Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas reliability Toyota Highlander vs Nissan Pathfinder reliability Toyota Highlander vs Mazda CX-90 reliability Toyota Highlander vs Honda Pilot reliability Toyota Highlander reliability by year Toyota Highlander 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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