Mazda MX-3 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 13 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Mazda MX-3, across 3 model years (1995–1999). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (10). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
Mazda MX-3 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No MX-3 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 MX-3: 10 complaints, 1 recall
- 1996 MX-3: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1999 MX-3: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mazda MX-3 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Suspension | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Mazda MX-3 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 MX-3 | 1 | 0 | — | Fuel System, Other | |
| 1996 MX-3 | 2 | 0 | — | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1995 MX-3 | 10 | 1 | — | Air Bags |
More from Mazda: all Mazda models · Mazda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda MX-3 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 1995 (10), 1996 (2), 1999 (1). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mazda MX-3?
Air Bags, with 5 complaints across 1 model year.
How many recalls does the Mazda MX-3 have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.