Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 52 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
Seat Belts. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. 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.
2 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
52 reports
113,000 miles · May 2, 2006
Seat Belts
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT. IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE SEAT BELTS THE CONTACT HAS TO REACH AROUND TO THE BACK SEAT. AN NHTSA RECALL, # 97V211000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY TH…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT. IN ORDER TO UNLOCK THE SEAT BELTS THE CONTACT HAS TO REACH AROUND TO THE BACK SEAT. AN NHTSA RECALL, # 97V211000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED WAS IN 2004. THE LAST TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN. THE CONTACT WILL NOT RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #10156596
130,431 miles · Aug 2, 2005
Seat BeltsInjury
DT: 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 72803 IN APRIL 2005 CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPAIRED IN APRIL 2005. THE SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED AT LEAST 3 TIMES SINCE THEY WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN BACK 3 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THEY ASKED THE CONSUMER TO BRI…
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DT: 1993 MAZDA MX3. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL 72803 IN APRIL 2005 CONCERNING THE SEAT BELTS. THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPAIRED IN APRIL 2005. THE SEAT BELTS MALFUNCTIONED AT LEAST 3 TIMES SINCE THEY WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN BACK 3 TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THEY ASKED THE CONSUMER TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK FOR A FOURTH TIME. THIS STARTED OUT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEN ON BOTH SIDES. THE SEAT BELTS WERE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS, AND THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE AUTOMATICALLY AND MUST BE RELEASED MANUALLY. *AK (12/01/05) REFER TO RECALL CAMPAIGN# 97V211000. THE PROBLEM RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. CURRENTLY THE SEAT BELTS DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY OPEN, TRAPPING BOTH THE CONSUMER AND PASSENGER. THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT THE CONSUMER STILL EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10131002
150,100 miles · Jul 24, 2005
Power Train
EVER SINCE I GOT MY CAR IT SEEMS ALL WE'VE HAD TO DO IS RELPLACE PARTS. WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START. UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN OUR CAR WAS FAILING TO GO AND GETTING STUCK EVEY TIME WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, I GOT THE IDEA THAT IT WASN'T HOW I WAS HANDILING IT, THAT THEIR WAS A MANU. PROBLEM. I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS A…
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EVER SINCE I GOT MY CAR IT SEEMS ALL WE'VE HAD TO DO IS RELPLACE PARTS. WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START. UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN OUR CAR WAS FAILING TO GO AND GETTING STUCK EVEY TIME WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, I GOT THE IDEA THAT IT WASN'T HOW I WAS HANDILING IT, THAT THEIR WAS A MANU. PROBLEM. I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION, AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY ANYMORE TO GET IT REPLACED. EVERYTIME I TRY TO PUT ON THE GAS IT FAILS TO ACCELERATE. NOW IT MAKES A CLICKING NOISE EVERYTIME I PRESS THE GAS.
NHTSA ODI #10129853
150,100 miles · Jul 24, 2005
Power Train
EVER SINCE I GOT MY CAR IT SEEMS ALL WE'VE HAD TO DO IS RELPLACE PARTS. WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START. UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN OUR CAR WAS FAILING TO GO AND GETTING STUCK EVEY TIME WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, I GOT THE IDEA THAT IT WASN'T HOW I WAS HANDILING IT, THAT THEIR WAS A MANU. PROBLEM. I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS A…
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EVER SINCE I GOT MY CAR IT SEEMS ALL WE'VE HAD TO DO IS RELPLACE PARTS. WE HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START. UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN OUR CAR WAS FAILING TO GO AND GETTING STUCK EVEY TIME WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, I GOT THE IDEA THAT IT WASN'T HOW I WAS HANDILING IT, THAT THEIR WAS A MANU. PROBLEM. I SAW MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MAKE ON THE TRANSMISSION, AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD PAY ANYMORE TO GET IT REPLACED. EVERYTIME I TRY TO PUT ON THE GAS IT FAILS TO ACCELERATE. NOW IT MAKES A CLICKING NOISE EVERYTIME I PRESS THE GAS.
NHTSA ODI #10129851
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2004
Electrical System
REPLACED DISTIRBUTOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10098025
136,000 miles · Sep 29, 2004
Seat Belts
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND REPAIRS DONE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK BILLION MAZDA OF SIOUX FALLS ORDERED A NEW AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ASSY PROBLEM FIXED. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10089868
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2003
Exterior Lighting
WHILE USING THE HEADLIGHTS CONSUMER NOTICED THAT HEADLIGHTS VISIBILITY WAS POOR DUE TO THE LENS BEING DISCOLORED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046063
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2001
Seat Belts
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL 97V116000 FIXED. DEALER DID RECALL REPAIRS, BUT THEN ADVISED CONSUMER THAT SEATBELT SENSOR WAS BROKEN. CONSUMER ADVISED THAT PRIOR TO RECALL SEATBELTS WERE JUST FINE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #888806
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2001
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR IS WANTING TO STALL EVERY TIME I COME TO A STOOP. MUST PUT IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP FROM DOING. MECHANIC CLAIMED IT WAS THROTTLE BODY CARBON BUILD UP BUT THAT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS HAS BEEN FIXED IN PAST AND NOT LET MECHANIC KEEP GUESSING…
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CAR IS WANTING TO STALL EVERY TIME I COME TO A STOOP. MUST PUT IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP FROM DOING. MECHANIC CLAIMED IT WAS THROTTLE BODY CARBON BUILD UP BUT THAT DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. SEEMS LIKE THIS MIGHT BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS HAS BEEN FIXED IN PAST AND NOT LET MECHANIC KEEP GUESSING.*AK
NHTSA ODI #743561
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2000
Seat Belts
97V211000/AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RAIL: DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR MANUFACTURER'S RECALL BECAUSE MOTORBELT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO OPERATE. DEALER INFORMED THAT SEAT BELT MUST FAIL TO OPERATE BEFORE THEY CAN REPAIR PROBLEM. *AK THE CUSTOMER STATES THAT IT IS SAFETY HAZARD NOT TO FIX THE BELT RIGHT AWAY. *YH
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE INSPECTION CRITERIA.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON, DC. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, CORROSIVE PITS CAN DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING. REPEATED USE CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE COIL SPRING TO BREAK AND A TIRE COULD BE PUNCTURED FROM CONTACT WITH THE BROKEN COIL SPRING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GUARD ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL PREVENT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE. IN ADDITION TO PERFORMING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, MAZDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR THE LIFT OF THE VEHICLE. IF OWNERS HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THESE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, DUE TO ROAD SALT DAMAGE, MAZDA WILL REIMBURSE THESE OWNERS FOR REASONABLE EXPENSES.
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
3
RQ98001 · Front Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Mar 3, 1998 · Closed Nov 16, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
There is no summary currently available
EA94039 · Auto Restraint System Fail
Opened Nov 30, 1994 · Closed Nov 26, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
PE94075 · Alternator Fires
Opened Oct 12, 1994 · Closed Dec 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
1993 Mazda MX3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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