Is the Mazda CX-90 more reliable than the Volkswagen Atlas?

Based on our data, the Mazda CX-90 is more reliable with an average score of 58/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-90 or the Volkswagen Atlas?

The Volkswagen Atlas has more recalls (119) 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 Mazda CX-90 or the Volkswagen Atlas?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Atlas has a lower complaint rate at 36.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Mazda CX-90 or Volkswagen Atlas safer?

Both the Mazda CX-90 and Volkswagen Atlas 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-90 vs Volkswagen Atlas: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mazda CX-90

Mixed

Volkswagen Atlas

Mixed

Choosing between the Mazda CX-90 and the Volkswagen Atlas? 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-90 currently leads with an average score of 58/100 compared to 54/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda CX-90 and Volkswagen Atlas Generations Compare?

The Mazda CX-90 is in its first generation, having been introduced for the 2024 model year. As a brand-new platform, it's early in its generation cycle, which can sometimes mean first-year teething issues as manufacturers work out initial production kinks. In contrast, the Volkswagen Atlas is in the latter part of its first generation, which began in 2018. It has undergone significant refreshes in 2021 and 2024, helping to iron out earlier issues and improve overall reliability. Mature platforms like the Atlas tend to be more well-sorted, benefiting from years of incremental improvements and refinements.

Verdict

The Mazda CX-90 is more reliable than the Volkswagen Atlas, scoring 58/100 vs 54/100.

The Mazda CX-90 offers a significantly higher reliability score of 51/100 compared to the Volkswagen Atlas's 24/100, indicating a generally more dependable performance. However, while the CX-90 has fewer recalls over three years, its owner complaint rate is notably higher at 111.2 per 10,000 sold, compared to the Atlas's 7.8, suggesting more frequent issues per unit sold. Both models have common problems with electrical systems and engines, but the CX-90 also struggles with steering and forward collision avoidance, while the Atlas faces challenges with airbags and service brakes. Given these factors, the Mazda CX-90 shows stronger overall reliability, but potential buyers should consider the higher complaint rate as a significant factor.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-90 has 106 fewer total recalls
2Volkswagen Atlas has 74.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mazda CX-90 scores 4 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Mazda CX-90

—

1Volkswagen Atlas

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Mazda CX-90 vs Volkswagen Atlas: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-90 vs Volkswagen Atlas at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-90	Volkswagen Atlas
Reliability Score	58/100	54/100
Years Tracked	3	9
Total Recalls	13	119
Complaints per 10k Sold	111.2	36.8
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-90 and Volkswagen Atlas?

The Mazda CX-90's primary reliability concern lies in its steering system, with 80 complaints, including 5 linked to crashes, indicating a potentially serious safety issue. In contrast, the Volkswagen Atlas shows a higher total number of complaints, with the electrical system being the most problematic area at 95 complaints, though none are crash-linked. Both models have issues with their electrical systems and power trains, but the Atlas faces a significant number of airbag-related complaints (87), including 2 linked to crashes, which is not a notable issue for the CX-90. Overall, while both vehicles have their challenges, the CX-90's steering and the Atlas's electrical system and airbag concerns stand out as critical areas of focus.

Mazda CX-90 vs Volkswagen Atlas common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-90	Volkswagen Atlas
STEERING	31.8High	1.6Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	17.5High	8.9Above Avg
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	11.5Above Avg	1.6Low
POWER TRAIN	8.3Above Avg	1.6Low
ENGINE	6.8Average	3.1Average
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	6.4Average	0.5Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	2.8Low	3.8Average
AIR BAGS	—None	6.4Average
VISIBILITY/WIPER	4Average	—None
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.8Very Low	2.8Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	2Low	0.4Very Low
STRUCTURE	1.6Low	—None
SEATS	—None	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

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

How Does Mazda CX-90 vs Volkswagen Atlas Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-90 vs Volkswagen Atlas year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-90	Volkswagen Atlas	Edge
2026	72/1000R / 0C	64/1000R / 0C	Mazda CX-90
2025	63/1002R / 21C	65/1008R / 30C	Volkswagen Atlas
2024	38/10011R / 259C	54/10014R / 209C	Volkswagen Atlas

Best years to cross-shop: The 2026 Mazda CX-90 scored 72/100 and the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas scored 65/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-90 vs the Volkswagen Atlas?

If you prioritize a slightly higher reliability score and are willing to manage a larger number of owner complaints, the Mazda CX-90 might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 51/100 and 13 recalls, it surpasses the Volkswagen Atlas in reliability. However, be prepared for potential issues with the steering, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, as these are common concerns among owners. On the other hand, if you value fewer recalls and lower owner complaints, consider the Volkswagen Atlas. Despite its slightly lower reliability score of 48/100, it has only 36.8 owner complaints per 10,000 sold compared to the CX-90's 111.2. This might indicate a more consistent ownership experience, though you should be aware of issues with the electrical system and airbags. Choose the Atlas if minimizing disruptions and ease of maintenance are your top priorities.

Mazda CX-90 vs Volkswagen Atlas: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-90 more reliable than the Volkswagen Atlas?: Based on our data, the Mazda CX-90 is more reliable with an average score of 58/100 compared to 54/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-90 or the Volkswagen Atlas?: The Volkswagen Atlas has more recalls (119) 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 Mazda CX-90 or the Volkswagen Atlas?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Atlas has a lower complaint rate at 36.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 111.2 for the Mazda CX-90. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Mazda CX-90 or Volkswagen Atlas safer?: Both the Mazda CX-90 and Volkswagen Atlas 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-90 comparisons

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More Volkswagen Atlas 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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