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1993 Mazda MX3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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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

Limited mileage data: 14 of 52 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. 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.

2 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

52 reports
150,000 miles · May 29, 2019
Seat Belts

DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC BELT DOES NOT WORK. CAN ONLY USE LAP BELT. HAD DEALERSHIP CORRECT DURING INITIAL RECALL BUT THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM THEN. YEARS LATER PROBLEM BEGAN AND MAZDA WILL NOT CORRECT. SEAT BELT KEEPS MOVING BACK AND FORTH IN TRACK AND WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. I HAVE TO REMOVE FUSE BECAUSE IT IS CONSTANT.

NHTSA ODI #11210519

175,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE BATTERY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED NORTH KANSAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE BATTERY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED NORTH KANSAS CITY MAZDA (LOCATED IN NORTH KANSAS CITY, MO) WHO STATED THAT THEY WOULD RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER PICKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #11012643

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10838633

99,000 miles · May 4, 2011
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE MOTOR FOR THE SEAT BELT FAILED AND LOCKED WHEN SHE OPENED THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER; NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399092

93,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WAS JAMMED AND WOULD NOT LATCH. IN ADDITION, THE SHOULDER STRAP WOULD NOT COME RESTRAIN OVER THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ONLY THE LAP BELT WAS OPERABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT WAS JAMMED AND WOULD NOT LATCH. IN ADDITION, THE SHOULDER STRAP WOULD NOT COME RESTRAIN OVER THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE ONLY THE LAP BELT WAS OPERABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 06/10/11

NHTSA ODI #10398272

145,000 miles · Nov 17, 2010
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE BACK POSITION AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE EMERGENCY RELEASE BUTTON TO GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF RECALL …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE BACK POSITION AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE EMERGENCY RELEASE BUTTON TO GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF RECALL 97V211000 (SEAT BELTS: FRONT: WEBBING). THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT HE HAD TO HAVE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH REPAIRED BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR COULD BE PERFORMED. HE WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED BUT HE WOULD BE CHARGED FOR IT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

NHTSA ODI #10366606

117,000 miles · Nov 2, 2009
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BECAME JAMMED IN THE RAIL. THE CONDITION RENDERED THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL # 97V211000( SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). SINCE THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BECAME JAMMED IN THE RAIL. THE CONDITION RENDERED THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL # 97V211000( SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING). SINCE THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PROVIDE A SECOND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000. UPDATED 11/09/09 *BF UPDATED 11/09/09

NHTSA ODI #10290715

150,000 miles · Feb 10, 2009
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO EXPLODE. THE MANUFA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE AND CAUSED IT TO EXPLODE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V116000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10258196

80,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V211000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING) IN JANUARY 15, 2002. RECENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT CABLE AND RETRACTOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED; T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V211000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING) IN JANUARY 15, 2002. RECENTLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT CABLE AND RETRACTOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED; THEREFORE, THE RECALL WAS CLOSED. THE CONTACT WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT ON HIS OWN. HE IS ARGUING WITH THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL STATED THAT BOTH SEAT BELTS SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 197,000.

NHTSA ODI #10235350

93,200 miles · May 14, 2008
Seat Belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT CORD CAME OFFTRACK. THE DEALER IS CHARGING OVER $1,000 FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT RECALL WAS PREVIOUSLY REPARIED ON THE VEHICLE IN LATE 2000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,200.

NHTSA ODI #10227763

Official recalls

3

15V674000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Oct 19, 2015

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

97V211000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing

Nov 18, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE INSPECTION CRITERIA.

97V116000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jul 22, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON, DC. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, CORROSIVE PITS CAN DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING. REPEATED USE CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE COIL SPRING TO BREAK AND A TIRE COULD BE PUNCTURED FROM CONTACT WITH THE BROKEN COIL SPRING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GUARD ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL PREVENT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE. IN ADDITION TO PERFORMING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, MAZDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR THE LIFT OF THE VEHICLE. IF OWNERS HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THESE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, DUE TO ROAD SALT DAMAGE, MAZDA WILL REIMBURSE THESE OWNERS FOR REASONABLE EXPENSES.

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

3

RQ98001 · Front Coil Spring Fracture

Opened Mar 3, 1998 · Closed Nov 16, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

There is no summary currently available

EA94039 · Auto Restraint System Fail

Opened Nov 30, 1994 · Closed Nov 26, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available

PE94075 · Alternator Fires

Opened Oct 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available