Mazda CX-3 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Mazda CX-3? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mazda CX-3 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Excellent | — | 2 | — | — | — | Steering | Full report → |
| 2020Best | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2019 | Avoid | 1 | 22 | — | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2018 | Good | — | 7 | 1 | — | — | Back Over Prevention | Full report → |
| 2017 | Caution | — | 13 | 5 | — | — | Fuel/Propulsion System | Full report → |
| 2016Worst | Avoid | — | 27 | 1 | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
6 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Mazda CX-3 Problems
Based on 71 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
CX-3 Years to Avoid
Best CX-3 Years to Buy
Mazda CX-3 Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Mazda CX-3 Reliability
What year CX-3 has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Mazda CX-3 had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 27 complaints and 0 safety recalls. See the full 2016 report for specific defects.
Is the Mazda CX-3 reliable?
The Mazda CX-3 has accumulated 71 owner-filed complaints and 1 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2020 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used CX-3.
What are the most common CX-3 problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Electrical System (14 reports), Unknown Or Other (7 reports), Fuel/Propulsion System (6 reports), Back Over Prevention (5 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my CX-3 has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Mazda CX-3 VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Mazda CX-3 VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily