Mazda CX-3
Every model year 2016–2021: recalls, owner complaints, NHTSA crash ratings and EPA efficiency side by side, each value traced to the file it came from.
Which model year the record favours
Source: recalls and complaints per year on the roadOn the filed record so far, the 2017 is the cleanest CX-3 year we hold, and the 2016 the one to check hardest.
Both figures are divided by the number of years the car has been on sale, because otherwise the oldest year on the page loses every time simply for having been around longer. The current model year and any year under three on the road are left out: their records are not finished.
| Head-to-head | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 CX-3 vs Hyundai Venue · Compact Wagon | CX-3 +12.3 | |
| 2021 CX-3 vs Audi RS · Compact Wagon | CX-3 +12.6 | |
| 2021 CX-3 vs Lexus UX · Compact Wagon | UX +5.4 | |
| 2021 CX-3 vs Volvo V60 · Compact Wagon | V60 +2.5 |
Common questions about the Mazda CX-3
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich Mazda CX-3 year is the best used buy?
On the recall record, the 2017 CX-3 comes out top of the years before the current one: Safety Signal grade A (94/100), 1 recall and 21 owner complaints on file. That ranks paperwork, not condition — a specific car's history and service record still decide it.
What Mazda CX-3 years should I avoid?
No CX-3 model year carries a D or F Safety Signal or a standing advisory. The ranking page orders every year on recalls and complaints per year on the road, and says why.
How many recalls does the Mazda CX-3 have?
Across model years 2016–2021, NHTSA has posted 9 recall campaigns for the Mazda CX-3. They are counted per model year in the table above, because a campaign almost never covers the whole run — it covers a build range.