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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

Service Brakes complaints

2 reports
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81,587 miles · Dec 29, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 MAZDA CX-3 ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 280 IT SUDDENLY STARTED LOSING POWER, I COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANYTHING. NOT KNOWING THE PROBLEM I DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER, HAD TO TOW TO THE MAZDA DEALER. THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLA…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2016 MAZDA CX-3 ON CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 280 IT SUDDENLY STARTED LOSING POWER, I COULDN'T DRIVE THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OF ANYTHING. NOT KNOWING THE PROBLEM I DID NOT WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER, HAD TO TOW TO THE MAZDA DEALER. THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND THERE WAS NO OTHER WARNING LIGHTS. AS THEY WORKING ON THE CAR THEY ALSO IDENTIFIED THE BRAKES WERE WORN OUT WELL BEYOND THE MINIMUM STANDARDS. ALSO THERE WAS NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ALERT ME FOR THE SUCH PROBLEM. IF THE CAR DIDN'T STALL BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I WOULD BE STILL DRIVING THE CAR AND ONE DAY I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF NO BRAKE FUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM ALSO COST ME AN ADDITIONAL EXPENSE WHERE THE CALIPERS AND THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. I AM REPORTING THIS PROBLEM SO THAT OTHER 2016 MAZDA CX-3 OWNERS CAN BE WARNED, OR THIS SHOULD BE RECALL DUE TO FAULTY WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #11291926

Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2018
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (DAVIS GAINESVILLE MAZDA: 2600 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILAB…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA CX-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE REPAIR AS THE RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (DAVIS GAINESVILLE MAZDA: 2600 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609) STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11081473

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.