KnownCarProblems2016 Mazda CX-3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda CX-3, most often about the electrical (23% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is the most complained-about CX-3 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Mazda CX-3 problems
Electrical
11 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles.
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
The contact's daughter owns a 2016 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while her daughter's vehicle was in reverse(r), the vehicle failed to stop upon the depression of the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that her daughter engaged the parking brake; however, the vehicle…
Other or unspecified
10 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles.
There is a crack in the corner of the Mazda connect center display. I bought this car certified pre-owned last year and the crack was already there.
Vehicle A/C quit working after less than 3 yrs, just out of warranty no less. Dealer wants nearly $2k for repair. Turns out the cause is a defective part Mazda has been aware of since 2016. I was not notified of this issue. There are three separate tsb's about the issue and a Mazda service program (msp 50) alert.…
Lights
7 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: headlights.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-3. While driving unknown speeds, the headlights failed to produce adequate illumination when turning the vehicle. The contact called a local dealer (sil terhar motors, 1551 US highway 287, broomfield, co 80020), but they were unable to adjust the headlights. The vehicle was not…
The headlamps contain and hold moisture causing a softer light and less visibility. I am afraid the moisture will cause electrical problems in the future.
Backup camera
6 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: warnings, rearview system braking.
The contact owns a 2016 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was…
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda CX-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v487000 (back over prevention). The contact stated that while in reverse (r), the back over prevention camera flickered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 10%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…
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
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 8%The windshield wiper fluid only reaches the very bottom portion of the front windshield. I brought into the Mazda dealership where purchased and was told my vehicle was operating similarly to other new CX-3's and according to design/manufacture. I advised them my windshield is not being cleaned as one would expect and…
While driving home around 35 MPH on a straight road with no cars, no bumps in the asphalt, and no trees, my sunroof suddenly shattered. I took the car to the dealer this morning after researching on the internet and finding results of class action lawsuits from kia and nissan based on the same problem, as well as…
Engine
4 complaints · 8%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…
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
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Mazda CX-3 recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: hatchback/liftgate
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
Risk: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Mazda CX-3
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda CX-3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (11 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); other or unspecified (10 complaints, typically around 27,500 miles); lights (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda CX-3 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 14, 2023 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Mazda CX-3?
- It is the most complained-about CX-3 model year since 2000, with 48 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Mazda CX-3 years
- 2016
- 2019