Is Mazda Reliable? Two New SUVs Are Dragging It DownAutoblogJohn TallodiSat, September 19, 2026 at 5:20 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleAutoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Mazda has become known for its driver-focused vehicles, premium interior designs and a distinctive design language that set it apart from the many mainstream manufacturers it competes against. From compact sedans and hatchbacks to midsize three-row SUVs, there is a Mazda model ready to take on rivals from Toyota, Honda, Subaru, and even challenge entry-level offerings from premium brands like Acura and Audi.Where Does Mazda Rank in New Car Reliability?Kristen BrownView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementIn Consumer Reports' predicted new car reliability ratings, Mazda ranks 14th overall out of 26 brands tested. This places it in the bottom half of the durability standings, and well below some direct rivals like Toyota , Subaru and Honda. However, looking into the details, part of this relatively poor showing comes down to a few models that pulled the overall scores down.There is a distinct gap between the older, more established models and the newer Mazda models, especially ones with hybrid or plug-in hybrid technologies. The CX-90 and CX-70 PHEV models with hybrid assisted new inline-six engines have come in for a lot of criticism from owners. Complaints center around hybrid powertrain malfunctions, jerky automatic transmissions and error messages and audio freezes on the latest infotainment systems.Excluding the troublesome CX-90 and CX-70 models pulls the overall reliability figure up to 7th place overall. But cherry picking the most durable models from any manufacturer would yield similar improvements, and as it stands Mazda's newer offerings are still going through some early production growing pains that need resolving.Where Does Mazda Rank in Used Car Reliability?View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile some new Mazda models are negatively impacted by their complex hybrid systems, the situation changes markedly when we examine the results from owners with older vehicles. Consumer Reports' used car reliability study which tracks problems reported on vehicles aged 6 to 10 years old, and here Mazda placed an impressive 3rd overall. Only Lexus and Toyota scored higher.The CR study shows that across all auto manufacturers evaluated, the average maintenance costs were well below many rivals. While the total figures weren't huge, they can represent a meaningful saving for motorists who are holding on to their older vehicles in an attempt to lower their running costs.What the data shows is that Mazda's older, more mature platforms are proving to be more reliable than its newer models and most rival's offerings in the long run. The Mazda3 is a reliable model both new and used, and that comes down to its long production run which started in 2019 and the well-developed components it uses. The Mazda MX-5 and previous generation CX-5 also demonstrate the benefits of using underpinnings that have been proven in real-world use over many model years.So, Are Mazdas Reliable?Gemini Ai Generated ImageWhile the current issues with Mazda's latest Plug-in Hybrid models and some of its cutting-edge electrical systems have pulled it down the new car reliability rankings, its commitment to continuous improvement has paid dividends in its older models. So, while Mazda as a brand looks to be in the middle-of-the-pack in overall durability, and well below some of its key rivals, the truth is that a few problematic models are skewing the results.AdvertisementAdvertisementMost of its new models that have been around a while have proven to be reliable, while its older vehicles are among the most durable out there. So, for the best results make sure you pick a model that has had time to have its kinks ironed out, and you can enjoy the great quality, handling and unique styling that makes driving a Mazda so enjoyable.Research NoteConsumer Reports is widely regarded as one of the most trusted sources in automotive evaluation because it operates as an independent, non-profit organization that accepts no corporate sponsorship or advertising.Its predicted reliability and owner satisfaction scores are calculated using data gathered from annual surveys filled out by hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners detailing real-world mechanical repairs and electrical faults.For exact results on the models mentioned please visit consumerreports.org.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Sep 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.