FaultScore

BMW X5 Diesel SAV vs Mazda RX7

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW X5 Diesel SAV Mazda RX7
Complaints on file 59 144
Model years covered 2011–2011 1982–1989
Worst model year
Best model year
Crashes reported 1 4
Fires reported 0 52
Injuries reported 2 7
Deaths reported 0 2
Most complained-about part Engine & Cooling Fuel & Propulsion
Share of complaints involving harm 5.1% 45.1%

BMW X5 Diesel SAV by year

11
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 18 30.5%
Airbags 10 16.9%
Fuel & Propulsion 9 15.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain 5 8.5%
Other & Unspecified 5 8.5%
Steering 3 5.1%
Electrical System 2 3.4%
Body & Structure 2 3.4%

Mazda RX7 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Seat Belts 23 16.0%
Engine & Cooling 20 13.9%
Electrical System 17 11.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 8 5.6%
Brakes 4 2.8%
Equipment & Accessories 3 2.1%
Steering 2 1.4%