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2016 Mazda CX-3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
48Owner complaints

Model-year median: 10

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
3
201448
201621
201710
201827
2019
Compare all CX-3 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
11Unknown Or Other
10Exterior Lighting
7Back Over Prevention
6Fuel/propulsion System
5
All reported categories
Engine
4Visibility/wiper
4Lane Departure
2Seat Belts
2Seats
2Service Brakes
2Structure
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Air Bags
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Back Over Prevention. 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.

4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

5 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2025
Fuel/propulsion System

While driving on the highway on a posted 65mph, the fuel remaining on the vehicle was posted at 1/4, approx. 75miles remaining. The vehicle abruptly stalled and I managed to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle then refused to start again. Had to bring it to a fuel station and refueled leading to the vehicle starting …

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While driving on the highway on a posted 65mph, the fuel remaining on the vehicle was posted at 1/4, approx. 75miles remaining. The vehicle abruptly stalled and I managed to pull over on the side of the road. The vehicle then refused to start again. Had to bring it to a fuel station and refueled leading to the vehicle starting again. Dealership diagnosed a bad fuel pump and fuel rail.

NHTSA ODI #11635954

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

Engine stalled while driving and all the dashboard lights turned on. Could not turn engine back on again. Upon inspection, it was found that the fuel injector pump was faulty and was subsequently replaced by the dealership. Fast forward a year, check engine light came on and vehicle began to stall again. Dealership states that …

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Engine stalled while driving and all the dashboard lights turned on. Could not turn engine back on again. Upon inspection, it was found that the fuel injector pump was faulty and was subsequently replaced by the dealership. Fast forward a year, check engine light came on and vehicle began to stall again. Dealership states that the fuel injector burnt out due to the initial fault in the fuel injector pump. Furthermore, it burnt out my catalyst.

NHTSA ODI #11444038

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

Vehicle stalled while driving. On 9/29/21 Suburban Mazda of Troy removed the Mazda mobile start. On 10/13/21, the engine stalled and shut off at approximately 50 mph and coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. There were no warning light prior and the vehicle had approximately 1/4 tank of gas (according to the gauge). AAA c…

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Vehicle stalled while driving. On 9/29/21 Suburban Mazda of Troy removed the Mazda mobile start. On 10/13/21, the engine stalled and shut off at approximately 50 mph and coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. There were no warning light prior and the vehicle had approximately 1/4 tank of gas (according to the gauge). AAA came and put 2 gallons of gas in and the vehicle started and drove normally afterwards. After reviewing the NHTSA website for 2016 Mazda CX-3 I found at least two other complaints for vehicles stalling while driving with 1/4-1/8 tanks of gas. I am concerned that this is a trending issue and an unreasonable risk to safety

NHTSA ODI #11436991

55,000 miles · Jan 1, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE CAR LOST POWER ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT ON THEN DIED COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD COULD NOT RESTART CAR HAD ABOUT 1/8 TANK GAS DOT CAME AND PUT IN SOME MORE GAS RESTARTED WENT TO GAS STATION AND OIL CHANGE SHOP THAT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING TO REPAIR RESET WARNING LIGHTS

NHTSA ODI #11292395

80,700 miles · Dec 13, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE ROAD (~45 MPH), THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND DIED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE START/STOP BUTTON LIGHT TURNED RED. AFTER COASTING INTO A GAS STATION, THE CAR COULD NOT INITIALLY BE RESTARTED. IT COULD BE RESTARTED AFTER ADDING GASOLINE, ALTHOUGH THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT …

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WHILE DRIVING ON A 4-LANE ROAD (~45 MPH), THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND DIED. THE CHECK ENGINE AND BATTERY WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE START/STOP BUTTON LIGHT TURNED RED. AFTER COASTING INTO A GAS STATION, THE CAR COULD NOT INITIALLY BE RESTARTED. IT COULD BE RESTARTED AFTER ADDING GASOLINE, ALTHOUGH THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT EMPTY WHEN THE CAR DIED. THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/8 TANK, AND 9.3 GALLONS FUEL COULD BE ADDED TO THE TANK, WHICH HAS A CAPACITY OF 11.9 GALLONS. AFTER ADDING FUEL AND RESTARTING, ALL WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF AND THE CAR COULD BE DRIVEN NORMALLY AGAIN. THE MAZDA DEALER FOUND NO STORED ERROR CODES IN THE SYSTEM AND VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND GAS GAUGE WERE WORKING CORRECTLY. DEALER PERFORMED POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE UPDATE.

NHTSA ODI #11288961

Official recalls

3

23V487000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Jul 14, 2023

Mazda 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

16V644000 · Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Sep 6, 2016

Mazda 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, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

16V203000 · Steering

Apr 11, 2016

Mazda 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, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.