FaultScore

Mazda MX3 vs Lexus LS

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 Lexus LS
Complaints on file 118 293
Model years covered 1991–1999 1994–2025
Worst model year 2007
Best model year 2009
Crashes reported 4 21
Fires reported 1 3
Injuries reported 6 20
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Seat Belts Brakes
Share of complaints involving harm 9.3% 15%

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%

Lexus LS by year

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

What breaks

Brakes 63 21.5%
Body & Structure 19 6.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 18 6.1%
Fuel & Propulsion 14 4.8%
Airbags 13 4.4%