Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?

Based on our data, the Honda Pilot 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 Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX-90?

The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) 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 Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX-90?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Pilot has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 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 Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-90 safer?

Both the Honda Pilot 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

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-90: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Honda Pilot

Good

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Choosing between the Honda Pilot 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 Honda Pilot 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 Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-90 Generations Compare?

The Honda Pilot is currently in its fourth generation, which began in 2023. This means it is relatively early in its generation cycle, where new platforms can sometimes face first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial bugs. The previous third-generation Pilot, running from 2016 to 2022, was well-regarded for its reliability as it matured over time. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation, launched in 2024. Like the latest Pilot, the CX-90 is also early in its cycle, which can occasionally impact reliability as it undergoes real-world testing and refinement. Overall, the Pilot's more extensive generational history may suggest a more established track record, while the CX-90 is still proving itself.

Verdict

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

The Honda Pilot demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Mazda CX-90, with an average reliability score of 74/100 versus 51/100 for the CX-90. The Pilot's owner complaints are significantly lower at 9.1 per 10,000 units, compared to the CX-90's 111.2, highlighting a notable disparity in customer satisfaction. While the Pilot has a higher number of recalls over a longer production period, its estimated annual repair cost of $542 provides a clearer picture of its long-term affordability. In contrast, the CX-90 faces more frequent issues with critical components like steering and forward collision avoidance, making the Honda Pilot a more reliable choice in the midsize SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Honda Pilot has 102.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
2Mazda CX-90 has 38 fewer total recalls
3Honda Pilot scores 15 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Honda Pilot

—

1Mazda CX-90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-90: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-90
Reliability Score	66/100	51/100
Years Tracked	9	3
Total Recalls	51	13
Complaints per 10k Sold	9.1	111.2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Pilot and Mazda CX-90?

The Honda Pilot exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system with 632 complaints, including 7 crash-linked incidents, which suggests a notable area of concern. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 has fewer overall complaints, with the most significant issue being steering, accounting for 80 complaints and 5 crash-linked incidents. Both models show vulnerabilities in forward collision avoidance systems, but the Honda Pilot records a higher frequency at 147 complaints versus Mazda's 29. The service brakes of the Honda Pilot also present a higher risk with 9 crash-linked complaints, compared to just 1 for the Mazda CX-90.

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-90 common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-90
STEERING	0.2Very Low	31.8High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.4Low	17.5High
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.6Very Low	11.5Above Avg
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	8.3Above Avg
ENGINE	1Very Low	6.8Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	6.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	4Average
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	2.8Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	2Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1Very Low	0.8Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	1.6Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
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: Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-90?

The Honda Pilot has an annual repair cost of $542, with an average of 0.5 repair visits per year and a 13% risk of major repairs, according to independent repair cost data. This translates to a predictable maintenance budget, with major repairs being relatively uncommon. In contrast, the Mazda CX-90 lacks specific data on repair costs and frequency, making it harder to estimate ownership expenses accurately. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda Pilot offers clearer insights into potential expenses, making it the better choice for those seeking predictable maintenance costs. With its established track record, the Pilot minimizes financial surprises, providing peace of mind over time.

How Does Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-90 Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda Pilot	Mazda CX-90	Edge
2025	71/1004R / 111C	63/1002R / 21C	Honda Pilot
2024	72/1006R / 82C	38/10011R / 259C	Honda Pilot
2026(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	51/100(predicted)	Honda Pilot

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Honda Pilot scored 72/100 and the 2025 Mazda CX-90 scored 63/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda Pilot vs the Mazda CX-90?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Honda Pilot is likely the better choice. With a reliability score of 74/100, it demonstrates more dependable performance compared to the Mazda CX-90's 51/100. The Pilot also has fewer owner complaints, with only 9.1 per 10,000 sold, and an estimated annual repair cost of $542. While it has a higher number of recalls, this is balanced by its lower major repair risk of 13% and less frequent repair needs at 0.5 times per year. On the other hand, if you are looking for a vehicle with fewer recalls and are willing to accept a potentially higher rate of owner complaints, the Mazda CX-90 might appeal to you. It has experienced only 13 recalls, but keep in mind the significantly higher complaint rate of 111.2 per 10,000 sold. Although detailed repair cost and frequency data are unavailable, consider this option if recalls are a primary concern and you're prepared for potential additional maintenance needs.

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-90: Common Questions

Is the Honda Pilot more reliable than the Mazda CX-90?: Based on our data, the Honda Pilot 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 Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX-90?: The Honda Pilot has more recalls (51) 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 Honda Pilot or the Mazda CX-90?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Honda Pilot has a lower complaint rate at 9.1 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 Honda Pilot or Mazda CX-90 safer?: Both the Honda Pilot 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.

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More Mazda CX-90 comparisons

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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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