Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 MX3 | 52 | 3 |
| 1992 MX3 | 44 | 3 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Seat belts59
- Electrical system11
- Suspension8
- Power train8
- Vehicle speed control4
- Air bags4
- Visibility3
- Unknown or other3
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
In New Zealand
1 MX3 cars are on the New Zealand register; 0% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the MX3 in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.
In some ignition switches, too much grease have been applied to certain contact points. For a vehicle used under these conditions this can lead to carbonisation of the grease if and therefore to an increased risk of fire. The product does not comply with the R…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
3 campaigns cover the MX3.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA recalls