The Used Car Index

2016 Mazda CX-3 problems

NHTSA lists 48 complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-3, 4 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 1 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA CX-3.

At a glance

Complaints
48
With crash
4
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
1
Injuries
2
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
580,455
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
658

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1122.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1020.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING714.6%
BACK OVER PREVENTION612.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM510.4%
ENGINE48.3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER48.3%
LANE DEPARTURE24.2%
SEAT BELTS24.2%
SEATS24.2%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONREARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING1
BACK OVER PREVENTIONWARNINGS1
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGHEADLIGHTS1
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION1
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
visibility or lighting1327.1%0.98
electrical electronic1020.8%0.85
loss of control816.7%0.84
mechanical failure612.5%0.68
structural or corrosion36.3%0.81
unclear36.3%0.90
noise or comfort24.2%0.96
restraint or airbag24.2%0.95
fire or overheating12.1%0.92
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate2756.3%0.92
low1633.3%0.78
high510.4%0.96

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 48 tagged complaints of 48 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

23V487000

Date: 2023-07-14. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

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

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V644000

Date: 2016-09-06. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Defect: 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 affe (excerpt)

Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

16V203000

Date: 2016-04-11. Systems: STEERING.

Defect: 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 t (excerpt)

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

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

658 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT218
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM187
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING53
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY47
STRUCTURE45
UNKNOWN OR OTHER44
POWER TRAIN42
STEERING34

11037899

Date: 2026-09-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con

11036688

Date: 2026-08-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2). This is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fittin

11034447

Date: 2026-06-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

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 start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by ask

11032003

Date: 2026-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the driv

11032104

Date: 2026-04-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

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 area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on

11032103

Date: 2026-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

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 maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the sch

11032101

Date: 2026-04-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

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 catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a repla

11032019

Date: 2026-04-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-003/22 03/02/22 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill. The concern will likely occur if the fuel tank is over

11032100

Date: 2026-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.

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 electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poo

11028133

Date: 2026-01-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank. A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method a ? B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to accurately cut keys a ? 5-digit codes CANNOT be provided for 2019 and newer vehicles (the traditional 5-dig

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
CX-348

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mazda models

Other Mazda models, 2016

Sources

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