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2020 Mazda CX-30

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26
B
Safety Signal
81 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns 3
Complaints1 crash reported 34
Crash ratingNHTSA overall 5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA 28 mpg
2026202520242023202220212020

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-30 2WD, is EPA-rated at 28 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 34 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Mazda CX-30 — photograph via Wikimedia Commons
Mazda CX-30 · Photo: LuvsMG481 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
CX-30 2WDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl253328$2,400
CX-30 2WDGasFWD2.5L 4-cyl253328$2,400
CX-30 4WDGas4WD2.5L 4-cyl253227$2,500
CX-30 4WDGas4WD2.5L 4-cyl243126$2,600

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42366, 42367, 42425, 42424.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates
ConfigurationSmog ratingEmission standardWhere it can be sold newSmartWay
CX-30 2WD, CX-30 4WD7 / 10California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
GVWR classClass 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders4
Displacement2.5 L
Engine configurationIn-Line

Engine Output

Horsepower186 hp

Fuel Economy

FuelGasoline

Seating

Seat rows2
Seating capacity5 seats

Transmission

Drivetrain4x2
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission speeds6

Driver assistance

Standard: Adaptive cruise control, Anti-lock brakes, Automatic emergency braking, Backup camera, Electronic stability control, Forward collision warning, Lane departure warning, Lane keeping assist, Pedestrian automatic emergency braking

Optional: Blind-spot monitoring, Rear cross-traffic alert

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: Base, Preferred Pkg, Premium Pkg, Select Pkg). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada
Length172.8 in
Width (body, without mirrors)70.9 in
Height61.8 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Track, front61.8 in
Track, rear61.0 in
Curb weight3,146–3,342 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear60/40 to 62/38

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 2 configurations: CX30 4-door SUV AWD, CX30 4-door SUV FWD. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

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Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.

What to check before you buy →

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
●moderate

Structure

4621B
13,857 vehicles 97% reported repaired
Problem Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-30 vehicles. When fully opened, the power liftgate may partially lower unexpectedly when the vehicle is parked facing uphill on a slope. Risk If the power liftgate unexpectedly lowers while a person is accessing the rear storage area of the vehicle, it can increase their risk of injury. Fix Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power liftgate control module software and inspect the serial number of the power liftgate drive unit, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4621B.
NHTSA campaign 21V086000 reported Feb 18, 2021 Mazda North American Operations the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

4420F
24,037 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen. Risk Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash. Fix Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.
NHTSA campaign 20V346000 reported Jun 12, 2020 Mazda North American Operations the full filing, and every vehicle covered →
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

4520F
12,097 vehicles 99% reported repaired
Problem Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive. The evaporative vent hose for the fuel tank may be disconnected, possibly allowing fuel to leak from the charcoal canister vent at the rear of the vehicle. Risk A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, the engine may stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the evaporative vent hose in the fuel tank. If the hose is disconnected, it will be reconnected and the charcoal canister with some related parts will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 29, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4520F.
NHTSA campaign 20V347000 reported Jun 12, 2020 Mazda North American Operations the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

Whether any of this applies to one specific CX-30

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2020 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Mazda publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2020 Mazda CX-30, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

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Parts & accessories for the 2020 Mazda CX-30

Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.

Find parts for this CX-30 →

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
34complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

12 per 10,000 built · Mazda reported 29,155 CX-30 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2020: 8 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 3 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 4

Most-cited components

Unspecified 9
Service Brakes 7
Engine 6
Electrical System 5
Fuel/Propulsion System 5
Power Train 4

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

There is a module that should connect to the hatch door to open. That module in no longer available. Without the hatch door opening, in case of side impact and being pushed into something else, there is no way to get out of the car. This poses a serious safety hazard.
Structure Nov 18, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11700042
I own 2020 Mazda cx 30 with 66000 miles. The transmission was shifting with jerky motions. On july 14, 2025 I brought the car to palisades Mazda in rockland county new york to have transmission looked at and to change transmission fluid changed. After I dropped the car off later that day I got a call that the transmission was condemned.
Power Train Jul 18, 2025 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11674592
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda CX-30. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the instrument panel made an abnormal sound. The contact then noticed that the odometer had inadvertently rolled back to 9,999 miles. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer.
Electrical System at 49,000 miles Dec 19, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11631587
Low Engine Oil Light keeps appearing at seemingly random intervals. I will heat up my vehicle, begin driving, and sometimes after 10 minutes, sometimes after 20 minutes it will come on. I drove 2.5 hours and it did not come on at all. It first started Friday 11/29 and was driven to and from a few places and came on 50% of the time.
Engine Dec 3, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11628495
Rear coil spring broke at ~33,000 miles under normal driving conditions. No warnings given in vehicle safety system and not included in recommended maintenence. Seen when inspected by independent service center. Cannot safely drive vehicle until replaced
Suspension Nov 16, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11625683
Front and rear brakes premature wear, would have failed safety inspection under 30,000 miles but brakes were inspected just outside of warranty with metal on metal. RIGHT rear coil spring snapped lower middle of coil while driving on flat even ground. Just outside of warranty
Service Brakes Jun 26, 2024 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11596869

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Mazda itself: 7 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 8 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 24 per 100,000 built. Every CX-30 model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications
Extended coverage on file 2 filings by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Mazda warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 687
Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-09-17
Kindsas classified by NHTSA 648 service bulletins, 21 warranty extensions, 12 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Equipment, Engine, Equipment Adaptive/Mobility, Unknown Or Other.

  • SA-042-26a Service bulletin
    2026-09-17 · Unknown Or Other
  • Mazda Connected Services - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-042/26 06/30/26 DESCRIPTION Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting Started Dealer Processes Registration / Enrollment / Take-Over Customer Subscription Status WI-FI Gene
  • SA-041-26a Service bulletin
    2026-09-11 · Electrical System
  • DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. Example
  • SA-038-26b Service bulletin
    2026-09-10 · Electrical System
  • This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 08/18/26 and 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App
  • SA-038-26a Service bulletin
    2026-09-04 · Electrical System
  • This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote functions inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / U
  • SA-054-26 Service bulletin
    2026-08-20 · Electrical System
  • This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued Service Alerts listed below: The changes are noted in Red. Infotainment Reboot With Navigation Card Installed This Service Information is no longer valid. Refer to the following updated Technical Service Bulletins: CX-5 / CX-9: 16-002/23 - UPDATED SOFTWARE RELEASE FOR CONCERNS WITH MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (7TH GEN TYPE) Mazda3 / CX-30
  • SA-039-26a Service bulletin
    2026-08-19 · Unknown Or Other
  • This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-039/26 06/15/26 Mazda Connect Symptom Troubleshooting DESCRIPTION Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
  • SA-053-26 Service bulletin
    2026-08-19 · Wheels
  • This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-006/23 01/23/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock and/or tire pressures and/or tire pressure missing. This may be caused by: Incorrect calendar entry (month/day/year) after a battery disconnect Infot
  • SA-052-26 Service bulletin
    2026-08-18 · Unknown Or Other
  • DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus showing expired even though the customer purchased a paid subscription. SiriusXM audio packages do not include SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus. To get Traffic Plus, the customer must purchase the Infotainment "SiriusXM Traffic Plus with SiriusXM Travel Link (TM)" package.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

CodeWhat it meansMost often filed underWhere it appears
P0126
P0126 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine35 bulletins
U3000
U3000 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →14 bulletins
B119F
B119F on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →10 bulletins
B1030
B1030 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Seats7 bulletins
B1032
B1032 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Seats7 bulletins
P2B61
P2B61 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine7 bulletins
B14F0
B14F0 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment Adaptive/Mobility6 bulletins
U0300
U0300 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Electrical System · Battery →5 bulletins
U2050
U2050 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment Adaptive/Mobility5 bulletins
B13D3
B13D3 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Engine4 bulletins
C1001
C1001 on Mazda →
Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.Equipment Adaptive/Mobility4 bulletins
P0524
P0524 on Mazda →
Engine oil pressure has been measured below the safe limit.Engine4 bulletins

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Mazda CX-30 failed the emissions check on 1.3% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.3% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%).

New York inspections 1.3%

failed emissions

1,346 initial inspections of 1,320 vehicles.

MeasureThe 2020 CX-30Every 2020 vehicleBehind it
Failed the emissions check1.3%2.2%1,345
Failed the safety inspection2.3%1.6%1,346
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit0.30%0.19%1,346
Miles driven a year9,2009,980odometer at inspection
Average odometer58,14562,630odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2020 vehicle” is every 2020 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Common questions about the 2020 CX-30

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2020 Mazda CX-30 have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 3 recall campaigns for the 2020 Mazda CX-30. The most serious on file is 20V346000, covering Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2020 Mazda CX-30?

NHTSA gave the 2020 Mazda CX-30 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it B (81/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Mazda CX-30?

Across the 4 EPA-rated configurations of the 2020 Mazda CX-30, the best EPA combined figure is 28 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2020 Mazda CX-30?

Transport Canada measured it at 172.8 in long, 70.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 61.8 in tall, on a 104.3 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 3,146–3,342 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2020 Mazda CX-30?

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Mazda CX-30, most often about unspecified, service brakes, engine. Of those, 1 involved a crash. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2020 Mazda CX-30?

The EPA smog rating for the 2020 Mazda CX-30 is 7 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2020 Mazda CX-30?

The manufacturer has filed 687 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2020 Mazda CX-30, most often covering electrical system, equipment, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-09-17. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2020 Mazda CX-30 do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2020 Mazda CX-30 failed the emissions check on 1.3% of first inspections — lower than the 2.2% for every 2020 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.3% (every 2020 vehicle: 1.6%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

DataHeldSourceWhat it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations4 configurationsEPA certification recordsEvery configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates4 configurationsEPA emission certificatesSmog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls3NHTSA recall campaignsA complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints34NHTSA complaint databaseAlso complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings2 testedNHTSA NCAPOnly the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins687NHTSA manufacturer communicationsEverything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
InvestigationsnoneNHTSA Office of Defects InvestigationNo defect investigation has been opened.
Driver-assist crash reportsnoneNHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA12 fieldsNHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patternsWhat the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions7 fieldsTransport Canada, Canadian Vehicle SpecificationsLength, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipmentnoneManufacturer press kitWe have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

JSON for this page · API