JM1DKFC71J03129832018 MAZDA CX-3Touring
2018 MAZDA CX-3 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2018 MAZDA CX-3
2018 MAZDA CX-3 was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. There is 1 open recall on record — verify these have been repaired before purchase. 10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
- 1 open recall — verify these have been repaired before purchase
10 owner complaints filed — top areas: Other (40%), Electrical (30%), Suspension/Wheels (20%). 1 crash reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- MAZDA
- Model
- CX-3
- Year
- 2018
- Trim / Series
- Touring
- Body Style
- Wagon
- Vehicle Type
- PASSENGER CAR
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L 146 hp
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Doors
- 5
- Manufacturer
- MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
- Assembly
- HIROSHIMA, HIROSHIMA PREFECTURE, JAPAN
- GVWR
- Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
- Base MSRP
- $26,215
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: HIROSHIMA, HIROSHIMA PREFECTURE
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones
Owners of the 2018 MAZDA CX-3 report electrical issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
1 RECALLNHTSA VIN-specific recall lookup returned no data for this VIN. The 1 recall below are model-wide and may or may not apply to this exact vehicle depending on production date. Verify at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Average repair completion across 1 recall is ~72%. Always ask the seller for dealer service records confirming each repair.
Statistical model based on recall age, component type, and manufacturer. Not a repair confirmation. Demand dealer service records.
MAZDA has an excellent recall completion rate (93%) — owners typically receive a remedy within 15 months.
Avg time to remedy open recall: ~15 months · Source: NHTSA Recall Completion Rate Reports
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
SummaryMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.Read full details...
~28% chance this recall was never fixed
Moderate RiskSource: NHTSA statistical model by recall age & component type
Recall Intelligence
Detailed analysis of recall history and severity
Complaint Intelligence
10 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
40% of complaints filed in Dec & Jan — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME10 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
Fuel injector failed without warning. A lot of fuel leaked into the engine destroying a spark plug in one cylinder and ultimately ruining the catalytic converter when fuel got into it. Independent mechanic and Mazda dealership diagnosed. Car cannot be driven.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Heavy condensation is occurring inside the driver side headlamp. A quick google search shows this is a common problem among Mazda owners and Mazda will not cover the repair. I am unable to get a Massachusetts state inspection sticker due to this.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was moving from left to right. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal scraping sound. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Was driving my grandchildren home when an alarm that I had never heard before started sounding and BRAKE! showed up on the heads up display. The car came to a stop out in the middle of the street even though there was nothing in front of or around the vehicle. It was a good thing there was not a car behind me or they would have rear-ended my vehicle and we or the people in the car that hit us could have gotten seriously hurt. I took the car to the dealer and they did a diagnostics check and said no codes came up so there was nothing wrong with the car. They actually told me that when and if it happens again to videotape it for proof.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA CX-3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH, THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION WARNING INDICATOR WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OLYMPIA MAZDA (2201 CARRIAGE SOUTHWEST OLYMPIA, WA 98502) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLIND SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS NUMBER: TSB:15-004-18-3539. THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT THE TSB WAS NOT A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,440.
I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH "NEW" TIRES. I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND FOUND OUT THE TIRES WERE MADE IN 2011 AND STARTING TO DETERIORATE SO I HAD TO BUY ACTUAL NEW TIRES. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT FEEL THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A TIRE BLOWOUT. LUCKILY I HAD RUN OVER A BOLT AND WAS TRYING TO GET A TIRE REPAIR WHEN THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME ABOUT THE BAD CONDITION OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST DID NOT BELIEVE ME BUT WHEN I SHOWED THEM A PICTURE THEY SAID THEY CAN SELL TIRES UP TO 8 YEARS OLD AS NEW IF THEY WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ON A VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE BUT IF THE TIRES WERE STARTING TO DRY ROT IT SEEMS LIKE A BAD IDEA AND CERTAINLY UNETHICAL IF NOT ILLEGAL.
WHILE I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND BRAKING THE THROTTLE OPENED WIDE AND I JUMPED THE CURB. I REAPPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER SKIDDING 4 FEET. (TIRE MARKS MEASURED). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM CAN AT RARE TIMES HAVE VOLTAGE PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS. MY DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS BUT IT HAS BEEN DONE IN A STUDY BY THE KOREAN NATIONAL FORENSIC SERVICE. SINCE ALL NEW CARS HAVE THE SAME ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEMS I AM UNABLE TO BUY A CAR THAT WON'T BE VULNERABLE TO THIS. I AM CURRENTLY STILL DRIVING MY CAR WITH. MY HAND ON THE GEAR HANDLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AS SOON AS AUTO MAKERS ADMIT THAT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS I WILL BUY A NEW CAR FROM THE COMPANY WHO FIXES THIS PROBLEM. IN MY RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH NEW CARS ALL BRANDS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. I BELIEVE THAT HUMAN ERR COULD AT TIMES BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PROBLEM BUT IN MY CASE I KNOW MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I LOVE MY NEW CAR AND WOULD NOT COMPLAIN OTHERWISE. PLEASE LOOK AT DR. RONALD L. BELTS RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM AND HIS CONCLUSIONS. THANK YOU
I WAS IN A PARKING RAMP, I ROUNDED THE CORNER GOING UP AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. 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.
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 10 NHTSA complaints on file for the MAZDA CX-3 — a relatively low volume that spans from 2018 to 2026.
The amber reliability line averaged 98/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 91/100 in 2018.
Red dots on the amber line flag 2018, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate
Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs
Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $27,216 (~$454/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Estimated Market Value
Depreciation-based estimate from original MSRP
Based on original MSRP of $26,215 with sedan depreciation curve. Range reflects ±15% market variance. Actual value depends on condition, options, and local demand.
Negotiation Ammunition
Use these data-backed findings to negotiate the price down
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2018 MAZDA CX-3 — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for JM1DKFC71J0312983. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | JM1DKFC71J0312983 |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Make | MAZDA |
| Model | CX-3 |
| Trim | Touring |
| Vehicle Type | PASSENGER CAR |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Wagon |
| Doors | 5 |
| Seat Rows | 5 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
| Transmission | Automatic |
Engine
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Horsepower | 146 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | HIROSHIMA |
| Assembly Country | JAPAN |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | JM1 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 1 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | J |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | 0 |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 312983 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 1 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 10 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/2/2026, 6:09:43 AM.