Mazda CX-3 years to avoid (and the best years)

106 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls across 4 model years, 2016 to 2019. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

106complaints
4recalls
8reported crashes
0reported fires
2reported injuries

Which Mazda CX-3 years should you avoid?

No Mazda CX-3 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Mazda CX-3 year has 24 complaints on file.

What are the best Mazda CX-3 years?

The Mazda CX-3 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2018 (10), 2017 (21) and 2019 (27). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2019	27	1.1×	2	1	0	Few red flags	Electrical system
2018	10	0.4×	1	1	0	Few red flags	Electrical system
2017	21	0.9×	1	2	0	Few red flags	Fuel system
2016	48	2.0×	3	4	2	Few red flags	Electrical system

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 1 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Other systems1 (100%)

Recalls (4)

Safety · 23V487000 · Jul 2023 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fuel system · 21V875000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2019
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Structure · 16V644000 · Sep 2016 · model year 2016
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Steering · 16V203000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.