NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2014–2021

Mazda CX-3 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 114 owner complaints for the Mazda CX-3, covering model years 2014 to 2021. The 2016 model year drew the most complaints (48), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mazda CX-3 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

4 recall campaigns on file
114 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
7 model years with data (2014–2021)

most complaints: 2016 (48 for that model year)
top component: Electrical System (26 complaints)
latest recall 23V487000 (reported Jul 14, 2023)

9 complaints reporting a crash (7.9%)
0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
2 complaints reporting an injury (1.8%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mazda CX-3 complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2016 model year has the most complaints: 48 of 114, or 42.1%. Next come 2019 (27) and 2017 (21). The fewest are for 2020, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Mazda CX-3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Mazda CX-3 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting an injury
2014	3	0	0
2016	48	4	1
2017	21	2	0
2018	10	1	0
2019	27	1	0
2020	1	1	1
2021	4	0	0
All model years	114	9	2

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mazda CX-3 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 26 complaints (22.8% of all 114), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (16) and Back Over Prevention (10).

Components named most often in Mazda CX-3 complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Mazda CX-3 complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Electrical System	26	22.8%
Unknown or Other	17	14.9%
Fuel/Propulsion System	16	14.0%
Back Over Prevention	10	8.8%
Engine	10	8.8%
Exterior Lighting	10	8.8%
Steering	9	7.9%
Service Brakes	7	6.1%
Visibility/Wiper	7	6.1%
Vehicle Speed Control	6	5.3%
Air Bags	5	4.4%
Structure	5	4.4%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	3	2.6%
Forward Collision Avoidance	3	2.6%
Fuel System, Gasoline	3	2.6%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mazda CX-3 recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name CX-3, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 2016 to 2021. The 2016 model year appears in the most campaigns (3).

4 recall campaigns

Mazda CX-3 recall campaigns covering each model year
2016: 3 campaigns	2017: 1 campaign	2018: 1 campaign	2019: 2 campaigns	2020: 1 campaign	2021: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 23V487000
Reported Jul 14, 2023
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Model years 2016–2021
Mazda 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.
Consequence:
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy:
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.
Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.
NHTSA campaign 21V875000
Reported Nov 12, 2021
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Model year 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence:
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
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.
Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.
NHTSA campaign 16V644000
Reported Sep 6, 2016
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate
Model year 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Consequence:
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy:
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.
Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.
NHTSA campaign 16V203000
Reported Apr 11, 2016
Steering
Model year 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
Consequence:
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
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.
Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mazda CX-3 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mazda CX-3 have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mazda CX-3, covering model years 2014 to 2021. The most recent, 23V487000, was reported on July 14, 2023 and is filed under “Back over prevention”. The 2016 model year is covered by the most campaigns (3).

Which Mazda CX-3 model year has the most complaints?

The 2016 model year, with 48 of the 114 complaints in NHTSA’s file (42.1%). The next are 2019 (27) and 2017 (21). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mazda CX-3 complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 26 complaints, or 22.8% of all 114. Fuel/Propulsion System (16) and Back Over Prevention (10) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mazda CX-3?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mazda dealer.

How many Mazda CX-3 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 114 complaints, 9 report a crash, 0 a fire, 2 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The Mazda models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mazda VIN decoder with every Mazda model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Mazda 3 2004–2026 · 29 recalls · 2,983 complaints
Mazda 626 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 2,458 complaints
Mazda CX-5 2012–2026 · 8 recalls · 2,443 complaints
Mazda 6 2002–2021 · 28 recalls · 2,234 complaints
Mazda Tribute 2000–2011 · 20 recalls · 2,102 complaints
Mazda CX-9 2007–2023 · 13 recalls · 1,487 complaints
Mazda CX-7 2007–2013 · 6 recalls · 1,131 complaints
Mazda Protege 1995–2003 · 6 recalls · 805 complaints

All Mazda models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.