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Mazda CX-5 vs Volkswagen Tiguan: reliability compared

From 2012 to 2026, owners filed an average of 166 complaints per model year about the Mazda CX-5 and 128 about the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Side by side

Mazda CX-5Volkswagen Tiguan
Model years compared2012-20262012-2026
Owner complaints2,4831,914
Complaints per model year166128
Recalls837
Years to avoid2014201620182018
Best years201520202022201420152017
Most common problemEngineEngine
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy26 mpg combined (2026)25-29 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 Mazda CX-5: 12012 Volkswagen Tiguan: 15320122013 Mazda CX-5: 1942013 Volkswagen Tiguan: 1402014 Mazda CX-5: 3772014 Volkswagen Tiguan: 8420142015 Mazda CX-5: 1332015 Volkswagen Tiguan: 622016 Mazda CX-5: 5122016 Volkswagen Tiguan: 9720162017 Mazda CX-5: 1502017 Volkswagen Tiguan: 772018 Mazda CX-5: 3562018 Volkswagen Tiguan: 28920182019 Mazda CX-5: 2732019 Volkswagen Tiguan: 1962020 Mazda CX-5: 1102020 Volkswagen Tiguan: 14120202021 Mazda CX-5: 1502021 Volkswagen Tiguan: 1462022 Mazda CX-5: 652022 Volkswagen Tiguan: 28120222023 Mazda CX-5: 672023 Volkswagen Tiguan: 722024 Mazda CX-5: 472024 Volkswagen Tiguan: 8020242025 Mazda CX-5: 292025 Volkswagen Tiguan: 582026 Mazda CX-5: 192026 Volkswagen Tiguan: 382026
Mazda CX-5Volkswagen Tiguan

Problems compared

CX-5Tiguan
Engine615539
Electrical465441
Transmission285177
Brakes252123
Lights22655
Visibility21786
Airbags69276
Driver assistance157231
Fuel system142169

Questions about the Mazda CX-5 vs Volkswagen Tiguan

Which is more reliable, the Mazda CX-5 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Between 2012 and 2026, the Mazda CX-5 has 3 years to avoid and the Volkswagen Tiguan 1. The Volkswagen Tiguan has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Volkswagen Tiguan drew fewer complaints per model year (128 vs 166), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda CX-5 or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

From 2012 to 2026, the Mazda CX-5 was covered by 8 recalls and the Volkswagen Tiguan by 37.

What years of the Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan should you avoid?

Mazda CX-5: 2014, 2016 and 2018. Volkswagen Tiguan: 2018.

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