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2016 Mazda CX-3

Gas
Compact Cars
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
76 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA48
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
202120202019201820172016

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact car with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the CX-3 2WD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 48 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
CX-3 2WDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl293531$2,000
CX-3 4WDGas4WD2.0L 4-cyl273229$2,150

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36219, 36220.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Back Over Prevention

6023G
236,100 vehicles
ProblemMazda 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.RiskA rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers 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, anticipa
NHTSA campaign 23V487000reported Jul 14, 2023Mazda North American Operations
▲high

Structure

9916H
580,455 vehicles
ProblemMazda 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.RiskIf the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.FixMazda 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V644000reported Sep 6, 2016Mazda North American Operations
▲high

Steering

9316D
578 vehicles
ProblemMazda 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.RiskIf the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixMazda 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.
NHTSA campaign 16V203000reported Apr 11, 2016Mazda North American Operations

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
48complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 6 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Electrical System11
Unspecified10
Exterior Lighting7
Back Over Prevention7
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Visibility/Wiper4

What owners describe

“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 while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted on several occasions, and was black on other…”Oct 11, 2024 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report
“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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufact…”Jun 21, 2024 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Rear view camera and speedometer How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Rear view camera restarts and flickers so seeing behind while in reverse is dangerous. The electrical component issues have bled ov…”May 16, 2024 · Back Over Prevention · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆14%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆14%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other CX-3 model years

A

2021 Mazda CX-3

1 recalls · 4 complaints

A

2020 Mazda CX-3

1 recalls · 1 complaints

B

2019 Mazda CX-3

2 recalls · 27 complaints

A

2018 Mazda CX-3

1 recalls · 10 complaints

A

2017 Mazda CX-3

1 recalls · 21 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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