Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2018 Mazda CX-3 with NHTSA between 2018 and 2026.
The largest single group is the driver assist & collision avoidance.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 21
Against the median year of the Mazda CX-3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
83% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2018 Mazda CX-3
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
426.7%
Median failure at 22,440 miles
Electrical System
213.3%
Median failure at 12,970 miles
Engine & Cooling
213.3%
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Median failure at 3,500 miles
Wheels
16.7%
Median failure at 45,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
Lights
16.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 12,600 mi
Suspension
16.7%
Brakes
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
233.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
350.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
116.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 2018peak 3May 2026
Recalls on the 2018 Mazda CX-3
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2023391116,779 units in Canada
Visual System
Issue: On certain vehicles, a problem with the rearview camera connector could cause distortion or flickering of the rearview camera image. Note: This recall only affects hatchback (5-door) models. Safety Risk: A rearview camera image that doesn't display correctly could reduce a driver's ability to see behind the vehicle while backing up. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Mazda will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the rearview camera and install a seal for the wiring harness. The dealer will replace the rearview camera, if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 12,600 milesMinnetonka, MNCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS IN A PARKING RAMP, I ROUNDED THE CORNER GOING UP AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. I LURCHED FORWARD INTO A WALL OF THE RAMP. IT WASN'T RAINING SO PAVEMENT AND RAMP WERE NOT WET. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR, SAID THEY SAW BREAK AND GAS PEDAL ACTIVE AT THE SAME TIME. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11123896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Waunakee, WI
ENGINE
Fuel injector failed without warning. A lot of fuel leaked into the engine destroying a spark plug in one cylinder and ultimately ruining the catalytic converter when fuel got into it. Independent mechanic and Mazda dealership diagnosed. Car cannot be driven.
NHTSA complaint #11736705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waunakee, WI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel injector failed without warning. A lot of fuel leaked into the engine destroying a spark plug in one cylinder and ultimately ruining the catalytic converter when fuel got into it. Independent mechanic and Mazda dealership diagnosed. Car cannot be driven.
NHTSA complaint #11736705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
French Link, IN
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11629810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dracut, MA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Heavy condensation is occurring inside the driver side headlamp. A quick google search shows this is a common problem among Mazda owners and Mazda will not cover the repair. I am unable to get a Massachusetts state inspection sticker due to this.
NHTSA complaint #11577723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Queens, NY
BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had 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. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11534626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was moving from left to right. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal scraping sound. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11504763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was moving from left to right. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal scraping sound. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11504763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was moving from left to right. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal scraping sound. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11504763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, IN
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Was driving my grandchildren home when an alarm that I had never heard before started sounding and BRAKE! showed up on the heads up display. The car came to a stop out in the middle of the street even though there was nothing in front of or around the vehicle. It was a good thing there was not a car behind me or they would have rear-ended my vehicle and we or the people in the car that hit us could have gotten seriously hurt. I took the car to the dealer and they did a diagnostics check and said no codes came up so there was nothing wrong with the car. They actually told me that when and if it happens again to videotape it for proof.
NHTSA complaint #11444015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,440 milesLacey, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA CX-3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH, THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION WARNING INDICATOR WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OLYMPIA MAZDA (2201 CARRIAGE SOUTHWEST OLYMPIA, WA 98502) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLIND SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS NUMBER: TSB:15-004-18-3539. THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT THE TSB WAS NOT A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,440.
NHTSA complaint #11397728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 22,440 milesLacey, WA
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA CX-3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 52 MPH, THE BLIND SPOT DETECTION WARNING INDICATOR WAS NOT WORKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OLYMPIA MAZDA (2201 CARRIAGE SOUTHWEST OLYMPIA, WA 98502) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BLIND SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATIONS NUMBER: TSB:15-004-18-3539. THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT THE TSB WAS NOT A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,440.
NHTSA complaint #11397728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesRandleman, NC
WHEELS
I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH "NEW" TIRES. I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND FOUND OUT THE TIRES WERE MADE IN 2011 AND STARTING TO DETERIORATE SO I HAD TO BUY ACTUAL NEW TIRES. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT FEEL THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A TIRE BLOWOUT. LUCKILY I HAD RUN OVER A BOLT AND WAS TRYING TO GET A TIRE REPAIR WHEN THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME ABOUT THE BAD CONDITION OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST DID NOT BELIEVE ME BUT WHEN I SHOWED THEM A PICTURE THEY SAID THEY CAN SELL TIRES UP TO 8 YEARS OLD AS NEW IF THEY WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ON A VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE BUT IF THE TIRES WERE STARTING TO DRY ROT IT SEEMS LIKE A BAD IDEA AND CERTAINLY UNETHICAL IF NOT ILLEGAL.
NHTSA complaint #11290277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesPortland, OR
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND BRAKING THE THROTTLE OPENED WIDE AND I JUMPED THE CURB. I REAPPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER SKIDDING 4 FEET. (TIRE MARKS MEASURED). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM CAN AT RARE TIMES HAVE VOLTAGE PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS. MY DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS BUT IT HAS BEEN DONE IN A STUDY BY THE KOREAN NATIONAL FORENSIC SERVICE. SINCE ALL NEW CARS HAVE THE SAME ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEMS I AM UNABLE TO BUY A CAR THAT WON'T BE VULNERABLE TO THIS. I AM CURRENTLY STILL DRIVING MY CAR WITH. MY HAND ON THE GEAR HANDLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AS SOON AS AUTO MAKERS ADMIT THAT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS I WILL BUY A NEW CAR FROM THE COMPANY WHO FIXES THIS PROBLEM. IN MY RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH NEW CARS ALL BRANDS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. I BELIEVE THAT HUMAN ERR COULD AT TIMES BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PROBLEM BUT IN MY CASE I KNOW MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I LOVE MY NEW CAR AND WOULD NOT COMPLAIN OTHERWISE. PLEASE LOOK AT DR. RONALD L. BELTS RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM AND HIS CONCLUSIONS. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11124027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,500 milesPortland, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND BRAKING THE THROTTLE OPENED WIDE AND I JUMPED THE CURB. I REAPPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER SKIDDING 4 FEET. (TIRE MARKS MEASURED). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM CAN AT RARE TIMES HAVE VOLTAGE PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS. MY DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS BUT IT HAS BEEN DONE IN A STUDY BY THE KOREAN NATIONAL FORENSIC SERVICE. SINCE ALL NEW CARS HAVE THE SAME ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEMS I AM UNABLE TO BUY A CAR THAT WON'T BE VULNERABLE TO THIS. I AM CURRENTLY STILL DRIVING MY CAR WITH. MY HAND ON THE GEAR HANDLE TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AS SOON AS AUTO MAKERS ADMIT THAT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IS CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CARS I WILL BUY A NEW CAR FROM THE COMPANY WHO FIXES THIS PROBLEM. IN MY RESEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM I FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH NEW CARS ALL BRANDS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TOO. I BELIEVE THAT HUMAN ERR COULD AT TIMES BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PROBLEM BUT IN MY CASE I KNOW MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I LOVE MY NEW CAR AND WOULD NOT COMPLAIN OTHERWISE. PLEASE LOOK AT DR. RONALD L. BELTS RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM AND HIS CONCLUSIONS. THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11124027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,600 milesMinnetonka, MNCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS IN A PARKING RAMP, I ROUNDED THE CORNER GOING UP AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. I LURCHED FORWARD INTO A WALL OF THE RAMP. IT WASN'T RAINING SO PAVEMENT AND RAMP WERE NOT WET. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR, SAID THEY SAW BREAK AND GAS PEDAL ACTIVE AT THE SAME TIME. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #11123896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.