Which Honda Pilot years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Pilot, with 2016 having a complaint index of 100, the highest of any Pilot year.

Which Mazda CX-5 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 as Avoid years for the CX-5, with 2016 hitting a complaint index of 100, its worst year.

Does the Pilot or CX-5 have more complaints overall?

The Pilot has 6,573 total complaints over 16 model years (411 per year) while the CX-5 has 2,430 over 14 model years (174 per year); these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy?

The CX-5 averages 26.5 mpg combined across its model years versus 20.9 mpg combined for the Pilot.

How many recall campaigns does each model have?

NHTSA lists 43 recall campaigns for the Pilot across its years covered versus 8 for the CX-5.

Honda Pilot vs Mazda CX-5: Which Years to Avoid

Honda Pilot years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025; Mazda CX-5 years to avoid are 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The Pilot logs 6,573 total complaints across 16 model years (411/year) versus the CX-5's 2,430 across 14 years (174/year), and the CX-5 averages better fuel economy (26.5 vs 20.9 mpg combined).

Head to head

Honda Pilot

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 6,573
Per model year: 411
Recall campaigns: 43
Years to avoid: 2016, 2017, 2019, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.7 ★

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	Pilot				CX-5
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Best	110	10	18.5	—	—	—	—
2011	Caution	293	11	18.5	—	—	—	—
2012	Best	171	9	20	No verdict	1	0	—
2013	Good	271	6	20	Good	194	1	28
2014	Best	116	3	20	Avoid	377	3	27
2015	Best	109	4	20	Best	133	3	27
2016	Avoid	1,703	8	22	Avoid	510	4	29
2017	Avoid	924	4	22	Best	148	1	26.5
2018	Caution	440	7	22	Avoid	349	3	28
2019	Avoid	904	13	22	Avoid	270	2	27
2020	Caution	487	11	22	Good	106	0	26
2021	Caution	433	10	22.5	Caution	146	0	25.5
2022	Good	156	5	22	Best	63	0	25
2023	Good	142	5	21	Caution	62	0	25
2024	Good	113	6	21	Good	44	0	25
2025	Avoid	201	4	21	Caution	27	0	25

Complaint Index by year

Honda Pilot

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 Honda Pilot years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Pilot, with 2016 having a complaint index of 100, the highest of any Pilot year.
Which Mazda CX-5 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 as Avoid years for the CX-5, with 2016 hitting a complaint index of 100, its worst year.
Does the Pilot or CX-5 have more complaints overall?: The Pilot has 6,573 total complaints over 16 model years (411 per year) while the CX-5 has 2,430 over 14 model years (174 per year); these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy?: The CX-5 averages 26.5 mpg combined across its model years versus 20.9 mpg combined for the Pilot.
How many recall campaigns does each model have?: NHTSA lists 43 recall campaigns for the Pilot across its years covered versus 8 for the CX-5.