2016 Mazda CX-3 problems and recalls

Owners filed 18 complaints on the 2016 Mazda CX-3 in the last three full years, out of 48 on record. The most cited component is the Electrical System.

48
Complaints
3
Recalls
4
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
2
Injuries
62.8
Severity index

Severity index 62.8 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 62.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 71 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 50% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 11 complaints (22.9%)11 23%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 10 complaints (20.8%)10 21%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 7 complaints (14.6%)7 15%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 6 complaints (12.5%)6 12%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 5 complaints (10.4%)5 10%EngineEngine: 4 complaints (8.3%)4 8%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 4 complaints (8.3%)4 8%SeatsSeats: 2 complaints (4.2%)2 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1122.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1020.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING714.6%
BACK OVER PREVENTION612.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM510.4%
ENGINE48.3%
VISIBILITY/WIPER48.3%
SEATS24.2%

Complaints filed per year

0492016: 62017: 22018: 22019: 82020: 62021: 42022: 12023: 82024: 92025: 12026: 1 (partial year)16171819202122232492526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20166
20172
20182
20198
20206
20214
20221
20238
20249
20251
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.6x those in 2020 to 2022 (18 against 11).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V64400006/09/2016STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATEMazda 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, 20
16V20300011/04/2016STEERINGMazda 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,
23V48700014/07/2023BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAMazda 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.

Other Mazda CX-3 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 3 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.