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Mazda CX-3Model year report

2016 Mazda CX-3 Problems

Complaints
48filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
20,000miles, 24 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
31 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 29 city / 35 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Mazda CX-3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-3. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by other or unknown (10) and exterior lighting (7). 24 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 20,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 658 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 187 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 48 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (2), Body and structure (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Air bags (1), Electronic stability control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11292395, filed 2020-01, 55,000 miles

Other or unknown: “I bought a Mazda CX-3 on december 31st 2015. On january 27th I drove the car from home to work for 20 minutes and I entered parking lot with may be 15 miles an hour! I made my 90 degree turn into parking stall with may be 5 miles an hour and pushed the brake to fully stop! Car almost stopped but suddenly something weird happened and car suddenly accelerated! It stopped by hitting the snow bank and another car! I am shocked and very scared!”

NHTSA complaint #10824302, filed 2016-02, 350 miles

Exterior lighting: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11288896, filed 2019-12, 13,000 miles

Back-over prevention (rear camera): “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 failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11570601, filed 2024-02, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 24 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 55,000 miles.

25%0–1029%10–2513%25–5021%50–7513%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (24 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 20,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

2016201820202022202492026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Mazda CX-3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
CX-3 · SUV AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 13.6% risk
CX-3 · SUV FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 13.8% risk

Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Mazda CX-3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
CX-3 2WD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic293531$2,150
CX-3 4WD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic273229$2,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Mazda CX-3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 658 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 658 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda CX-3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20192711,2502531Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20181017,5201531—Not enough data
20172137,2251531—Stable
20164820,0003531Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising

All Mazda CX-3 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Mazda CX-3 have?

NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 2016 Mazda CX-3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 10.

Has the 2016 Mazda CX-3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Mazda CX-3 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Mazda CX-3 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda CX-3 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Mazda CX-3 (CX-3 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 29 city and 35 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Mazda CX-3 reported?

Among the 24 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 20,000 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 55,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.