YearToAvoid

Mazda Best and Worst Years by Model

13 Mazda models, 8,048 NHTSA owner complaints and 105 recall campaigns for model years 2010–2025. Pick a model to see which years to avoid and which are the safest bets.

Mazda models ranked by owner complaints

Sorted by popularity. Years to avoid / best years come from each model’s own Complaint Index.

ModelYearsComplaintsRecallsYears to avoidBest yearsTop issue
Mazda CX-52012–20252,43082014, 2016, 2018, 20192015, 2017, 2022Engine
Mazda CX-302020–202524872021, 20242020, 2022Engine
Mazda CX-92010–20231,170122010, 2011, 2012, 20182017, 2020, 2022, 2023Brakes
Mazda CX-32014–202111442016, 2019—Electrical System
Mazda CX-72010–201334862011—Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Mazda CX-902024–202537211——Steering
Mazda Mazda32010–20251,931222010, 2011, 2012, 20152020, 2022, 2024, 2025Structure & Body
Mazda CX-502023–20251345——Brakes
Mazda Mazda62010–2021899192010, 2011, 20142019, 2021Electrical System
Mazda CX-702025504——Lane Departure
Mazda Mazda52010–201614222010, 2012—Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Mazda CX-90 Plug-in Hybrid2024–20251080——Electrical System
Mazda MX-52010–202510252016, 2017, 2019, 2023—Transmission & Powertrain

Mazda model years with the most complaints

Raw complaint counts (not adjusted for age or sales). Click through for the breakdown.

  1. 2010 Mazda Mazda3 · 683 complaints · 2 recalls Avoid
  2. 2016 Mazda CX-5 · 510 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  3. 2014 Mazda CX-5 · 377 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  4. 2018 Mazda CX-5 · 349 complaints · 3 recalls Avoid
  5. 2024 Mazda CX-90 · 342 complaints · 11 recalls No verdict
  6. 2019 Mazda CX-5 · 270 complaints · 2 recalls Avoid
  7. 2012 Mazda Mazda3 · 226 complaints · 1 recalls Avoid
  8. 2010 Mazda Mazda6 · 225 complaints · 9 recalls Avoid
  9. 2012 Mazda CX-9 · 221 complaints · 4 recalls Avoid
  10. 2010 Mazda CX-9 · 195 complaints · 6 recalls Avoid

How we rank Mazda years

For each model we compare its own model years using the Complaint Index: complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and “Do Not Drive” recalls reported to NHTSA, adjusted for how long each year has been on the road. The top quarter of a model’s years is marked Avoid, the bottom quarter Best. Because NHTSA publishes no sales data, models are not ranked against each other. Full details in the methodology.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.