FaultScore

Mazda MX3 vs BMW I3

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mazda MX3 BMW I3
Complaints on file 118 293
Model years covered 1991–1999 2014–2019
Worst model year 2017
Best model year 2018
Crashes reported 4 16
Fires reported 1 2
Injuries reported 6 8
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Seat Belts Steering
Share of complaints involving harm 9.3% 8.9%

Mazda MX3 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Seat Belts 61 51.7%
Electrical System 13 11.0%
Suspension 9 7.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain 8 6.8%
Airbags 5 4.2%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 4 3.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 4 3.4%
Engine & Cooling 3 2.5%

BMW I3 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Steering 48 16.4%
Body & Structure 39 13.3%
Airbags 28 9.6%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 20 6.8%
Other & Unspecified 20 6.8%
Fuel & Propulsion 19 6.5%