AI DamageMazda CX-3: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mazda CX-3 across 7 model years: 111 owner complaints and 544 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 5 Backover prevention 9% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 25 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 561.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 16 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Engine: 10 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 166.
- Exterior lighting: 10 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 44.
- Backover prevention: 10 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2016–2021
- automatic, 6-speed 2016–2021
Drive: FWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 111 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 25 | 0 | 561 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 0 | 18 |
| Engine | 10 | 1 | 166 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 0 | 44 |
| Backover prevention | 10 | 0 | 17 |
| Steering | 9 | 1 | 110 |
| Visibility | 8 | 0 | 109 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 1 | 104 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3 | 7 |
| Air bags | 5 | 2 | 27 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 127 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 17 |
| Wheels | 3 | 2 | 71 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 42 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Dec 7, 2023, I was driving on [XXX] in Gaston County and someone slammed my vehicle as I was driving safely and not fast. I was in the middle lane and barely saw the vehicle that slammed me pushing me to the left of the interstate. Officer Talley, J was there to help me: The report number is [XXX].
On 1/22/21, I was driving for Lyft. I had a passenger in this car and I was giving her a ride home. I had a seizure towards the end of the ride, and was completely amnesiac to the crash that occurred. During my seizure, I was unable to check for clearance before I entered a highway and I crashed into another car.
All of a sudden, as my right foot was still on the brakes, I felt the car lurch forward, and felt myself pulled back into my seat from the velocity, as the car suddenly accelerated forward out of control! I had NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR! I saw myself speeding towards the drycleaners’ glass window storefront!
A driver didn't see me in his left side blind spot and was veering into my lane at 85-90mph. I swerved to the left to avoid the car and my car wouldn't straighten/I couldn't get back the control. I smashed the guardrail with the whole left side of my car and the car was deemed to be totaled by the insurance company.
Passenger seat belt released propelling me into the windshield. I'm an avid seatbelt wearer. We were hit by another vehicle that ran a red light.
I lurched forward into a wall of the ramp. It wasn't raining so pavement and ramp were not wet. The dealer has looked at the car, said they saw break and gas pedal active at the same time. They said nothing was wrong with the car.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
- Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2)
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
- Some customers may experience all of following symptoms
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
- Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair
- Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.