Compact SUVs: complaints, recalls and trends by model
The Compact SUVs segment covers 12 tracked models with 31,124 owner complaints and 241 recall campaigns on record. It averages 62.1 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical relative to all tracked vehicles (index 1.48).
Analysis
Mazda CX-5 has the fewest complaints per year in the segment and Honda CR-V the most. The segment's largest problem area is Engine (27.5% of complaints, 1.2× the fleet share).
By model year, the segment's average rate is highest for 2025 (88.0) and lowest for 2021 (37.4). In the last 12 months owners filed 6,952 complaints versus 5,995 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. Models on an improving trend: Volkswagen Tiguan, Jeep Compass, Subaru Forester and Jeep Cherokee. Models on a worsening trend: Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.
Models
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-5 | 826 | 18.9 | 0.45 | Worsening | Steady | 3 | Engine |
| 2 | Volkswagen Tiguan | 1,181 | 28.2 | 0.67 | Improving | Rising | 26 | Engine |
| 3 | Kia Sportage | 949 | 28.5 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 11 | Engine |
| 4 | Jeep Compass | 1,819 | 34.7 | 0.83 | Improving | Steady | 11 | Engine |
| 5 | Subaru Forester | 2,417 | 49.5 | 1.18 | Improving | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
| 6 | Jeep Cherokee | 2,798 | 61.9 | 1.47 | Improving | Steady | 21 | Transmission / powertrain |
| 7 | Chevrolet Equinox | 1,917 | 62.9 | 1.49 | Stable | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 8 | Toyota RAV4 | 3,075 | 71.4 | 1.7 | Improving | Steady | 23 | Engine |
| 9 | Hyundai Tucson | 2,247 | 73.5 | 1.75 | Worsening | Rising | 14 | Engine |
| 10 | Nissan Rogue | 2,991 | 81.0 | 1.92 | Improving | Rising | 24 | Engine |
| 11 | Ford Escape | 5,144 | 97.3 | 2.31 | Stable | Steady | 49 | Engine |
| 12 | Honda CR-V | 5,760 | 137.9 | 3.28 | Stable | Steady | 24 | Steering |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.
By model year · Complaints per year on the road
All-vehicle average: 42.1
What owners complain about
vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average
Frequently asked questions
Which of the Compact SUVs has the fewest owner complaints?
Mazda CX-5 has the fewest complaints per year in the segment and Honda CR-V the most. The segment's largest problem area is Engine (27.5% of complaints, 1.2× the fleet share).
Which Compact SUVs are improving or worsening?
By model year, the segment's average rate is highest for 2025 (88.0) and lowest for 2021 (37.4). In the last 12 months owners filed 6,952 complaints versus 5,995 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. Models on an improving trend: Volkswagen Tiguan, Jeep Compass, Subaru Forester and Jeep Cherokee. Models on a worsening trend: Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.