Which CR-V years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2024 and 2025 as CR-V years to avoid, with 2018 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 2,141 complaints.

Which CX-5 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 as CX-5 years to avoid, with 2016 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 510 complaints.

Does the CR-V or CX-5 have more recalls?

The CR-V has 39 recall campaigns across 2010-2025 versus 8 for the CX-5 across 2012-2025.

Which gets better fuel economy, the CR-V or CX-5?

The CR-V averages 28.4 mpg combined across its years while the CX-5 averages 26.5 mpg combined; the 2025 CR-V reaches 37 mpg combined with a $1,950 annual fuel cost.

Are total complaint counts a fair comparison?

No. NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so the CR-V's 10,573 total complaints versus the CX-5's 2,430 are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle were sold.

Honda CR-V vs Mazda CX-5: Which Years to Avoid

Honda CR-V years to avoid are 2017, 2018, 2024 and 2025; Mazda CX-5 years to avoid are 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The CR-V logs 10,573 total complaints (661 per model year) across 39 recalls, versus 2,430 total complaints (174 per model year) across 8 recalls for the CX-5, though totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

Honda CR-V

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 10,573
Per model year: 661
Recall campaigns: 39
Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 28.4
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Mazda CX-5

Model years: 2012–2025 (14)
NHTSA complaints: 2,430
Per model year: 174
Recall campaigns: 8
Years to avoid: 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019
Best years: 2015, 2017, 2022
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 26.5
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	CR-V				CX-5
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Best	480	15	23.5	—	—	—	—
2011	Good	553	13	23.5	—	—	—	—
2012	Best	403	3	25.5	No verdict	1	0	—
2013	Best	382	2	25.5	Good	194	1	28
2014	Caution	587	1	25.5	Avoid	377	3	27
2015	Caution	670	3	28.5	Best	133	3	27
2016	Good	393	3	28	Avoid	510	4	29
2017	Avoid	1,768	7	28.5	Best	148	1	26.5
2018	Avoid	2,141	5	28.5	Avoid	349	3	28
2019	Caution	1,099	8	28.5	Avoid	270	2	27
2020	Good	353	7	29.5	Good	106	0	26
2021	Good	330	4	29.5	Caution	146	0	25.5
2022	Best	259	3	29.5	Best	63	0	25
2023	Caution	515	3	29.5	Caution	62	0	25
2024	Avoid	392	2	33.5	Good	44	0	25
2025	Avoid	248	1	37	Caution	27	0	25

Complaint Index by year

Honda CR-V

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda CX-5

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which CR-V years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2024 and 2025 as CR-V years to avoid, with 2018 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 2,141 complaints.
Which CX-5 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 as CX-5 years to avoid, with 2016 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 510 complaints.
Does the CR-V or CX-5 have more recalls?: The CR-V has 39 recall campaigns across 2010-2025 versus 8 for the CX-5 across 2012-2025.
Which gets better fuel economy, the CR-V or CX-5?: The CR-V averages 28.4 mpg combined across its years while the CX-5 averages 26.5 mpg combined; the 2025 CR-V reaches 37 mpg combined with a $1,950 annual fuel cost.
Are total complaint counts a fair comparison?: No. NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so the CR-V's 10,573 total complaints versus the CX-5's 2,430 are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle were sold.