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Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5: reliability compared

From 2012 to 2026, owners filed an average of 657 complaints per model year about the Honda CR-V and 166 about the Mazda CX-5.

Side by side

Honda CR-VMazda CX-5
Model years compared2012-20262012-2026
Owner complaints9,8502,483
Complaints per model year657166
Recalls248
Years to avoid201720182019201420162018
Best years202020212022201520202022
Most common problemEngineEngine
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy29-40 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 Honda CR-V: 4032012 Mazda CX-5: 120122013 Honda CR-V: 3822013 Mazda CX-5: 1942014 Honda CR-V: 5882014 Mazda CX-5: 37720142015 Honda CR-V: 6742015 Mazda CX-5: 1332016 Honda CR-V: 3962016 Mazda CX-5: 51220162017 Honda CR-V: 1,7822017 Mazda CX-5: 1502018 Honda CR-V: 2,1692018 Mazda CX-5: 35620182019 Honda CR-V: 1,1102019 Mazda CX-5: 2732020 Honda CR-V: 3632020 Mazda CX-5: 11020202021 Honda CR-V: 3422021 Mazda CX-5: 1502022 Honda CR-V: 2722022 Mazda CX-5: 6520222023 Honda CR-V: 5182023 Mazda CX-5: 672024 Honda CR-V: 3962024 Mazda CX-5: 4720242025 Honda CR-V: 2712025 Mazda CX-5: 292026 Honda CR-V: 1842026 Mazda CX-5: 192026
Honda CR-VMazda CX-5

Problems compared

CR-VCX-5
Engine2,126615
Driver assistance1,611157
Fuel system1,593142
Steering1,56138
Electrical1,434465
Brakes781252
Transmission738285
Lights151226
Visibility408217

Questions about the Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5

Which is more reliable, the Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-5?

Between 2012 and 2026, the Honda CR-V has 3 years to avoid and the Mazda CX-5 3. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Mazda CX-5 drew fewer complaints per model year (166 vs 657), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Mazda CX-5?

From 2012 to 2026, the Honda CR-V was covered by 24 recalls and the Mazda CX-5 by 8.

What years of the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 should you avoid?

Honda CR-V: 2017, 2018 and 2019. Mazda CX-5: 2014, 2016 and 2018.

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