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2016 Mazda CX-3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Back Over Prevention. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 16, 2024
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear view camera and speedometer How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Rear view camera restarts and flickers so seeing behind while in reverse is dangerous. The electrical component issues have bled over to the …

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What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear view camera and speedometer How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Rear view camera restarts and flickers so seeing behind while in reverse is dangerous. The electrical component issues have bled over to the digital speedometer, making it difficult to see the speed at which you are driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Unknown Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Unknown Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No

NHTSA ODI #11589104

Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

My Mazda CX3’s touchscreen started registering “ghost presses” without any input from me. This leads to the car scrolling through contacts and placing calls while driving. This almost caused an accident as I was scrambling to avoid the embarrassment of randomly dialing someone multiple times. Many others have also experienced th…

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My Mazda CX3’s touchscreen started registering “ghost presses” without any input from me. This leads to the car scrolling through contacts and placing calls while driving. This almost caused an accident as I was scrambling to avoid the embarrassment of randomly dialing someone multiple times. Many others have also experienced the same issue with their Mazda infotainment systems. This should be a recall as the sudden distraction and panic caused by this poses a serious safety risk.

NHTSA ODI #11561796

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2023
Electrical System

Mazda CX3 Connect touch screen in the center display may not accept touch commands properly and faded. The film inside the touch screen may be corroded due to moisture

NHTSA ODI #11547818

57,000 miles · Feb 9, 2023
Electrical System

The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while her daughter's vehicle was in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to stop upon the depression of the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter engaged the parking brake; however, the vehicle continued to roll b…

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The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while her daughter's vehicle was in reverse(R), the vehicle failed to stop upon the depression of the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter engaged the parking brake; however, the vehicle continued to roll back until the vehicle hit a curb and stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who noted that the failure was not brake related but was a computer malfunction. The contact called a dealer who referred her to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11506483

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2022
Electrical System

Infotainment system and screen failure. The screen develops "spiderweb" cracking. This cracking first appeared 3 years ago. Now the computer reboots continuously. This causes zero access to radio, GPS, or other features to operate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, at the suggestion of Mazda USA. For a "diag…

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Infotainment system and screen failure. The screen develops "spiderweb" cracking. This cracking first appeared 3 years ago. Now the computer reboots continuously. This causes zero access to radio, GPS, or other features to operate the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, at the suggestion of Mazda USA. For a "diagnostic" fee of $180 I was told what I already knew. The system is broken. This is a rampant problem with multiple complaints online regarding Mazda Infotainment systems. They expect consumers to pay $2,800 to repair the system.

NHTSA ODI #11456732

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2021
Electrical System

The media console screen on my Mazda CX-3 has spiderweb-like cracking. This causes "ghost touch" which means that while I am driving, the system makes consistent loud beeping noises, frantically changes screens, changes music, calls people (if my phone is connected to bluetooth), etc.. There is no way to turn this off and it is …

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The media console screen on my Mazda CX-3 has spiderweb-like cracking. This causes "ghost touch" which means that while I am driving, the system makes consistent loud beeping noises, frantically changes screens, changes music, calls people (if my phone is connected to bluetooth), etc.. There is no way to turn this off and it is incredibly distracting and startling while I am on the road. I know that this same issue has occurred in other Mazda vehicles (like the Mazda3) and the part has been recalled/been covered for replacement under an extended warranty. My local Mazda dealership diagnosed this issue and acknowledged that it is a problem that this is not covered under warranty to fix. They gave me a $2,000 quote to replace the screen (this is money I do not have and believe I should not have to pay to ensure my safety).

NHTSA ODI #11432537

58,700 miles · Apr 9, 2020
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EVAPORATOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS BLOWING WARM AIR INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BELLAMY STRICKLAND CHEVROLET BUICK PARTS (145 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 770-30253). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND A PRESSURE TEST FOUND A LEAK I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EVAPORATOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS BLOWING WARM AIR INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BELLAMY STRICKLAND CHEVROLET BUICK PARTS (145 INDUSTRIAL BLVD, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 770-30253). THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND A PRESSURE TEST FOUND A LEAK IN THE EVAPORATOR. A TSB WAS FOUND WHICH WOULD COVER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO HENNESSY MAZDA (7261 JONESBORO RD BUILDING 2, MORROW, GA 30260 844-237-2079). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TSB EXPIRED AND WOULD NO LONGER COVER THE VEHICLE UNDER A WARRANTY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO OFFER A FREE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,700.

NHTSA ODI #11320657

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2020
Electrical System

THE HEADLAMPS HOLD MOISTURE. THERE ARE NO CRACKS IN THE HEADLAMPS. I FEAR THIS WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11298373

55,000 miles · Jan 1, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAR LOST POWER ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON THEN DIED COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD COULD NOT RESTART CAR HAD ABOUT 1/8 TANK GAS DOT CAME AND PUT IN SOME MORE GAS RESTARTED WENT TO GAS STATION AND OIL CHANGE SHOP THAT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO REPAIR RESET WARNING LIGHTS

NHTSA ODI #11292395

13,000 miles · Dec 13, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

THE HEADLAMPS CONTAIN AND HOLD MOISTURE CAUSING A SOFTER LIGHT AND LESS VISIBILITY. I AM AFRAID THE MOISTURE WILL CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11288896

Official recalls

3

23V487000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Jul 14, 2023

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 & remedy

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.

16V644000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Sep 6, 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 & remedy

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.

16V203000 · Steering

Apr 11, 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.