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GMC Terrain vs Mazda CX-5: reliability compared

From 2012 to 2026, owners filed an average of 164 complaints per model year about the GMC Terrain and 166 about the Mazda CX-5.

Side by side

GMC TerrainMazda CX-5
Model years compared2012-20262012-2026
Owner complaints2,4662,483
Complaints per model year164166
Recalls208
Years to avoidNone stand out201420162018
Best years201720212022201520202022
Most common problemEngineEngine
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy25-27 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 GMC Terrain: 3642012 Mazda CX-5: 120122013 GMC Terrain: 3652013 Mazda CX-5: 1942014 GMC Terrain: 2972014 Mazda CX-5: 37720142015 GMC Terrain: 2992015 Mazda CX-5: 1332016 GMC Terrain: 1532016 Mazda CX-5: 51220162017 GMC Terrain: 1352017 Mazda CX-5: 1502018 GMC Terrain: 2272018 Mazda CX-5: 35620182019 GMC Terrain: 1872019 Mazda CX-5: 2732020 GMC Terrain: 1982020 Mazda CX-5: 11020202021 GMC Terrain: 362021 Mazda CX-5: 1502022 GMC Terrain: 612022 Mazda CX-5: 6520222023 GMC Terrain: 412023 Mazda CX-5: 672024 GMC Terrain: 552024 Mazda CX-5: 4720242025 GMC Terrain: 142025 Mazda CX-5: 292026 GMC Terrain: 342026 Mazda CX-5: 192026
GMC TerrainMazda CX-5

Problems compared

TerrainCX-5
Engine959615
Visibility414217
Transmission351285
Brakes286252
Electrical274465
Fuel system219142
Lights85226

Questions about the GMC Terrain vs Mazda CX-5

Which is more reliable, the GMC Terrain or the Mazda CX-5?

Between 2012 and 2026, the GMC Terrain has 0 years to avoid and the Mazda CX-5 3. The GMC Terrain has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the GMC Terrain drew fewer complaints per model year (164 vs 166), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Mazda CX-5?

From 2012 to 2026, the GMC Terrain was covered by 20 recalls and the Mazda CX-5 by 8.

What years of the GMC Terrain and Mazda CX-5 should you avoid?

GMC Terrain: no year stands out. Mazda CX-5: 2014, 2016 and 2018.

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