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Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5: reliability compared

From 2012 to 2026, owners filed an average of 1,024 complaints per model year about the Ford Escape and 166 about the Mazda CX-5.

Side by side

Ford EscapeMazda CX-5
Model years compared2012-20262012-2026
Owner complaints15,3602,483
Complaints per model year1,024166
Recalls768
Years to avoid20132017201420162018
Best years20212022201520202022
Most common problemEngineEngine
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy26-40 mpg combined (2026)26 mpg combined (2026)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2012 Ford Escape: 6042012 Mazda CX-5: 120122013 Ford Escape: 2,7532013 Mazda CX-5: 1942014 Ford Escape: 2,0912014 Mazda CX-5: 37720142015 Ford Escape: 1,1482015 Mazda CX-5: 1332016 Ford Escape: 1,1932016 Mazda CX-5: 51220162017 Ford Escape: 2,7102017 Mazda CX-5: 1502018 Ford Escape: 1,8332018 Mazda CX-5: 35620182019 Ford Escape: 6042019 Mazda CX-5: 2732020 Ford Escape: 1,6212020 Mazda CX-5: 11020202021 Ford Escape: 3562021 Mazda CX-5: 1502022 Ford Escape: 2382022 Mazda CX-5: 6520222023 Ford Escape: 1022023 Mazda CX-5: 672024 Ford Escape: 782024 Mazda CX-5: 4720242025 Ford Escape: 262025 Mazda CX-5: 292026 Ford Escape: 32026 Mazda CX-5: 192026
Ford EscapeMazda CX-5

Problems compared

EscapeCX-5
Engine7,052615
Transmission2,706285
Electrical1,371465
Fuel system1,271142
Body1,182141
Steering87638
Brakes404252
Lights137226
Visibility266217

Questions about the Ford Escape vs Mazda CX-5

Which is more reliable, the Ford Escape or the Mazda CX-5?

Between 2012 and 2026, the Ford Escape has 2 years to avoid and the Mazda CX-5 3. The Ford Escape has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Mazda CX-5 drew fewer complaints per model year (166 vs 1,024), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Ford Escape or the Mazda CX-5?

From 2012 to 2026, the Ford Escape was covered by 76 recalls and the Mazda CX-5 by 8.

What years of the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5 should you avoid?

Ford Escape: 2013 and 2017. Mazda CX-5: 2014, 2016 and 2018.

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