The Used Car Index

2021 Mazda CX-3 problems

NHTSA lists 4 complaints for the 2021 Mazda CX-3, 0 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA CX-3.

At a glance

Complaints
4
With crash
0
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
1
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
236,100
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
278

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
STEERING375.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM125.0%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE125.0%
SERVICE BRAKES125.0%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1

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
electrical electronic125.0%1.00
loss of control125.0%0.88
mechanical failure125.0%0.48
unclear125.0%0.71
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
low250.0%0.71
moderate250.0%0.97

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 4 tagged complaints of 4 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.

1 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.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

278 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM77
EQUIPMENT65
UNKNOWN OR OTHER45
ENGINE39
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING28
POWER TRAIN22
STRUCTURE20
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY15

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

11034436

Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

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 following symptoms: The door lock/unlock operation will not work using the remote transmitter button. 1. T

11034439

Date: 2026-06-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replac

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

11032102

Date: 2026-04-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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 warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unn

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

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-34

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mazda models

Other Mazda models, 2021

Sources

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