Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Mazda CX-90?

The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Mazda CX-90 (13). 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 Ford Explorer or the Mazda CX-90?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Explorer has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Ford Explorer or Mazda CX-90 safer?

Both the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90 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: 2026-03-04

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Ford Explorer

Good

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Choosing between the Ford Explorer and the Mazda CX-90? 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 Ford Explorer currently leads with an average score of 66/100 compared to 51/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90 Generations Compare?

The Ford Explorer is currently in its sixth generation, last redesigned in 2020. As it approaches the end of its generation cycle, potential buyers may benefit from a platform that has been refined over several years, often resulting in improved reliability as initial issues are addressed. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation, introduced in 2024. Being early in its lifecycle, the CX-90 might experience typical first-year issues as initial bugs are worked out. Historically, the Explorer has undergone significant updates, such as the 2016 facelift, which further enhanced its reliability as the platform matured.

Verdict

The Ford Explorer is more reliable than the Mazda CX-90, scoring 66/100 vs 51/100.

The Ford Explorer demonstrates a stronger reliability profile than the Mazda CX-90, with an average reliability score of 68 out of 100 compared to the CX-90's 51. Although the Explorer has faced 117 recalls over nine years, its owner complaints per 10,000 sold are significantly lower at 6.8 versus the CX-90's 111.2. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates for the Explorer are available at $732 annually, while this data is not provided for the CX-90. Despite both vehicles sharing issues with their powertrain and electrical systems, the Explorer's lower complaint rate and higher reliability score make it a more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Ford Explorer has 104.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Mazda CX-90 has 104 fewer total recalls
3Ford Explorer scores 15 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Ford Explorer

—

1Mazda CX-90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Explorer	Mazda CX-90
Reliability Score	66/100	51/100
Years Tracked	9	3
Total Recalls	117	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.8	111.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90?

The Ford Explorer shows a significant number of complaints in the power train category, with 618 issues and 12 crash-linked incidents, indicating a notable reliability concern in this area. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90, with only 280 total complaints, has steering as its most reported issue, comprising 80 complaints with 5 linked to crashes. The Explorer also has a high incidence of structure-related complaints, while the CX-90's complaint profile is more evenly distributed across various systems, with fewer crash-linked issues overall. Both models have electrical system concerns, but the Explorer's higher complaint numbers suggest broader reliability challenges.

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90 common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Explorer	Mazda CX-90
STEERING	0.2Very Low	31.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.7Very Low	17.5High
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	11.5Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	1.6Low	8.3Above Avg
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	6.8Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	6.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	4Average
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	2.8Low
STRUCTURE	1Very Low	1.6Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.1Low	0.8Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
SEATS	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Explorer or Mazda CX-90?

The Ford Explorer has an estimated annual repair cost of $732, with owners visiting the repair shop approximately once every five years. There's a 14% chance of encountering a major repair, meaning around one in seven Explorers may face significant issues over time. In contrast, specific data for the Mazda CX-90's repair costs and frequency aren't available, but Mazda models generally have a reputation for reliability. For cost-conscious buyers, the Ford Explorer's detailed repair data offers a clearer picture of potential expenses. However, the Mazda CX-90 might still be appealing due to Mazda's overall reliability, despite the lack of precise figures.

How Does Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90 Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Explorer	Mazda CX-90	Edge
2025	72/10014R / 65C	63/1002R / 21C	Ford Explorer
2024	73/1006R / 14C	38/10011R / 259C	Ford Explorer
2026(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	51/100(predicted)	Ford Explorer

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 scored 63/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Mazda CX-90?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer owner complaints, the Ford Explorer might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 68/100, it surpasses the Mazda CX-90's score of 51/100. The Explorer also has significantly fewer owner complaints at 6.8 per 10,000 sold, compared to the CX-90's higher rate of 111.2. Despite having a higher number of recalls historically, the Explorer's estimated annual repair cost of $732 and a lower repair frequency of 0.2/year make it a stable option for those seeking a dependable vehicle. On the other hand, if you are concerned about recall frequency, the Mazda CX-90, with only 13 recalls, might catch your attention. However, keep in mind that the CX-90's reliability data is less comprehensive, lacking specific repair cost and frequency information. Consider this model if you're more focused on other features like steering and forward collision avoidance, but be prepared for potential issues given its higher rate of owner complaints.

Ford Explorer vs Mazda CX-90: Common Questions

Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?: Based on our data, the Ford Explorer is more reliable with an average score of 66/100 compared to 51/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Mazda CX-90?: The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Mazda CX-90 (13). 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 Ford Explorer or the Mazda CX-90?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Ford Explorer has a lower complaint rate at 6.8 per 10,000 sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Ford Explorer or Mazda CX-90 safer?: Both the Ford Explorer and Mazda CX-90 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 Ford Explorer comparisons

Ford Explorer vs Volkswagen Atlas reliability Ford Explorer vs Jeep Grand Cherokee reliability Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder reliability Ford Explorer vs Honda Passport reliability Ford Explorer reliability by year Ford Explorer years to avoid

More Mazda CX-90 comparisons

Mazda CX-90 vs Toyota Highlander reliability Mazda CX-90 vs Honda Pilot reliability Mazda CX-90 vs Kia Telluride reliability Mazda CX-90 vs Hyundai Palisade reliability Mazda CX-90 reliability by year Mazda CX-90 years to avoid

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