Is the Mazda CX-50 more reliable than the Toyota RAV4?

Based on our data, the Toyota RAV4 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-50 or the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 has more recalls (53) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (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-50 or the Toyota RAV4?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota RAV4 has a lower complaint rate at 4.4 per 10,000 sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Mazda CX-50 or Toyota RAV4 safer?

Both the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4 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

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4: Reliability Compared

Mazda CX-50

Good

More Reliable

Toyota RAV4

Good

Choosing between the Mazda CX-50 and the Toyota RAV4? 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 Toyota RAV4 currently leads with an average score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4 Generations Compare?

The Toyota RAV4 is currently in its sixth generation (XA60), introduced in 2026, following a facelift of its fifth generation in 2022. This means it is early in its generation cycle, which can sometimes lead to initial teething issues as manufacturers work out kinks in a new design. However, Toyota's reputation for reliability suggests that any issues are likely to be minimal. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50 is in its first generation, launched in 2023, with a planned facelift in 2025. As a newer platform, it's also in the early phase of its lifecycle, where first-year models might encounter unexpected issues. Buyers prioritizing reliability may consider the RAV4's longer history of generational maturity as a potential advantage.

Verdict

The Toyota RAV4 is more reliable than the Mazda CX-50, scoring 76/100 vs 67/100.

The Toyota RAV4 demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 85/100 compared to the Mazda CX-50's 66/100. Despite having more recalls over a longer period, the RAV4's owner complaints are significantly lower at 4.4 per 10,000 sold, versus the CX-50's 27.4 per 10,000. Additionally, the RAV4 benefits from a lower estimated annual repair cost of $429, further highlighting its reliability advantage. While both vehicles have issues with their electrical systems, the RAV4's overall performance in key reliability metrics makes it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Mazda CX-50 has 47 fewer total recalls
2Toyota RAV4 has 23.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Toyota RAV4 scores 9 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Mazda CX-50

—

2Toyota RAV4

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda CX-50	Toyota RAV4
Reliability Score	67/100	76/100
Years Tracked	4	8
Total Recalls	6	53
Complaints per 10k Sold	27.4	4.4
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 exhibits a higher volume of complaints across several categories compared to the Mazda CX-50, with significant issues in the electrical system, unknown or other problems, and air bags, the latter of which has 71 crash-linked complaints indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Mazda CX-50's most reported problems are in the service brakes and unknown or other categories, with fewer overall complaints. Notably, the RAV4's air bag and electrical system issues are more prevalent and crash-linked than those for the CX-50, highlighting a critical area of concern in occupant safety. Meanwhile, the CX-50's forward collision avoidance system, despite having only six complaints, has a relatively high proportion of crash-linked incidents, suggesting a potential focus area for reliability improvements.

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4 common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda CX-50	Toyota RAV4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	3.1Average	0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	3.1Average	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	2.9Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	2.9Low	0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.3Low	0.7Very Low
STEERING	2Low	0.2Very Low
SUSPENSION	2Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	1.7Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.6Very Low	0.4Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.6Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.6Very Low	—None
WHEELS	0.6Very Low	—None
SEATS	0.6Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.5Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.5Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—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-50 or Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4 has a reported annual repair cost of $429, with an average of 0.3 repair visits per year and a 10% risk of major repairs. While specific data for the Mazda CX-50 isn't available, the RAV4's figures offer a benchmark for comparison. The RAV4's relatively low repair frequency suggests fewer disruptions and long-term reliability, translating to approximately $2,145 over five years. For cost-conscious buyers, the RAV4's predictable maintenance expenses and manageable risk of significant repairs make it a potentially better value, assuming the CX-50's costs align with or exceed these figures.

How Does Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4 Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda CX-50	Toyota RAV4	Edge
2025	66/1003R / 21C	84/1005R / 49C	Toyota RAV4
2024	71/1001R / 26C	80/1006R / 150C	Toyota RAV4
2023	65/1002R / 49C	80/1006R / 147C	Toyota RAV4

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Mazda CX-50 scored 71/100 and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Mazda CX-50 vs the Toyota RAV4?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Toyota RAV4 is the ideal choice for you. With a high reliability score of 85/100 and a low estimated annual repair cost of $429, it promises fewer surprises in maintenance expenses. The RAV4 also boasts a minimal owner complaint rate of 4.4 per 10,000 sold and a modest repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, making it a dependable option for daily driving. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a vehicle with fewer recalls, the Mazda CX-50 might catch your attention. It has had only 6 recalls compared to the RAV4’s 53. However, keep in mind that the CX-50 has a lower reliability score of 66/100 and significantly higher owner complaints at 27.4 per 10,000 sold. If reliability and peace of mind are your primary concerns, the RAV4 stands out as the more sensible choice.

Mazda CX-50 vs Toyota RAV4: Common Questions

Is the Mazda CX-50 more reliable than the Toyota RAV4?: Based on our data, the Toyota RAV4 is more reliable with an average score of 76/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-50 or the Toyota RAV4?: The Toyota RAV4 has more recalls (53) compared to the Mazda CX-50 (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-50 or the Toyota RAV4?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota RAV4 has a lower complaint rate at 4.4 per 10,000 sold versus 27.4 for the Mazda CX-50. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Mazda CX-50 or Toyota RAV4 safer?: Both the Mazda CX-50 and Toyota RAV4 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-50 comparisons

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More Toyota RAV4 comparisons

Toyota RAV4 vs Honda CR-V reliability Toyota RAV4 vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Toyota RAV4 vs Kia Sportage reliability Toyota RAV4 vs Subaru Forester reliability Toyota RAV4 reliability by year Toyota RAV4 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.

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