FaultScore

Mazda engine problems

Owners have filed 3,992 complaints with NHTSA about the engine on Mazda vehicles — 13% of everything reported about the brand, across 40 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Mazda CX-5, worst in 2018.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

3,992

Complaints

13%

Share of all Mazda complaints

76

Crashes

150

Fires

Which Mazda models have the most engine problems

CX-5 599 15.0%

Worst in 2018

CX-7 459 11.5%

Worst in 2007

Tribute 429 10.7%

Worst in 2001

626 392 9.8%

Worst in 1998

CX-9 369 9.2%

Worst in 2018

MAZDA3 301 7.5%

Worst in 2012

MAZDA6 235 5.9%

Worst in 2003

MPV 232 5.8%

Worst in 2003

RX-8 194 4.9%

Worst in 2004

Protege 144 3.6%

Worst in 2003

Millenia 73 1.8%

Worst in 1995

CX-30 67 1.7%

Worst in 2021

RX-7 60 1.5%

Worst in 1993

CX-90 56 1.4%

Worst in 2024

B-Series Truck 52 1.3%

Worst in 1998

MAZDA5 44 1.1%

Worst in 2006

MX-5 Miata 37 0.9%

Worst in 1999

Worst in 2024

MX-6 27 0.7%

Worst in 1993

Worst Mazda model years for engine problems

Vehicle Complaints Share of that year Median miles Grade
2007 Mazda CX-7 324 45% 62,000 F
2018 Mazda CX-5 180 38% 28,000 F
2001 Mazda Tribute 176 24% 46,000 C
2004 Mazda RX-8 144 23% 51,000 D
2002 Mazda Tribute 133 26% 24,848 D
2019 Mazda CX-5 132 37% 26,000 D
1998 Mazda 626 92 18% 85,000 B
2008 Mazda CX-7 84 32% 59,300 F
2021 Mazda CX-5 79 40% 40,182 F
2018 Mazda CX-9 76 46% 68,000 F
2016 Mazda CX-9 68 48% 50,000 F
1999 Mazda 626 52 14% 78,000 C
2024 Mazda CX-90 50 10% 28,550 A
2021 Mazda CX-30 49 36% 16,845 D
2003 Mazda MAZDA6 47 19% 37,306 C
1997 Mazda 626 45 10% 85,500 B
2013 Mazda CX-5 43 15% 47,270 B
2017 Mazda CX-9 43 55% F
1993 Mazda RX-7 42 38% 31,000 F
2003 Mazda Protege 41 28% 69,800 D