Mazda CX-3

Where it stands out against its peers

• Exterior lighting: more complaints than 94% of 2016 cars — 15% of its 48 complaints, where an ordinary 2016 car has 4%.
• Back over prevention: more complaints than 97% of 2016 cars — 13% of its 48 complaints, where an ordinary 2016 car has 1%.

Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.

Crash test

Crash-tested by NHTSA, the American road safety agency.

Specification

Recalls

Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.

84% of 2021 cars have more recall campaigns than this one, and an ordinary one has 4. More of them means more to check the service record for, not a worse car.

• 16V203000

  If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

• 16V644000

  If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

  Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

• 21V875000

  Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

• 23V487000

  A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

What the maker told its dealers

Service bulletins are the manufacturer's own repair guidance to dealers, filed with NHTSA. A bulletin is not a defect finding; the count rises with how many things a maker writes down, not only with how many go wrong.

Mazda filed 276 bulletins about the 2021 CX-3.

• Electrical system: 55
• Equipment: 39
• Engine: 32
• Engine and engine cooling: 25
• Power train: 16
• Structure: 15
• Equipment adaptive/mobility: 13
• Visibility: 11
• Steering: 10
• Service brakes: 7
• Other: 53

• This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no… · July 2026
• This SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted below in Red. SA-027/26 04/16/26 DESCRIPTION The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing.… · July 2026
• This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 09-012/21 12/13/21, 06/10/21 and 04/27/21 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience all of… · July 2026
• DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left… · May 2026
• This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled… · May 2026
• This SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted below in Red. SA-007/25 10/22/25, 06/02/25 and 02/03/25 DESCRIPTION The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all… · May 2026
• This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a… · May 2026
• This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more… · May 2026

268 more.

Grouped by NHTSA's top-level system; a bulletin filed under a sub-heading counts toward its system.