2018 Mazda CX-3 Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 17,520miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 31 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 29 city / 34 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Mazda CX-3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2018 Mazda CX-3. The part named most often is back-over prevention, with 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,520 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 477 technical service bulletins for this model year. Back-over prevention complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the camera and 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 148 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Electrical system2 20%
- Engine2 20%
- Brakes1 10%
- Exterior lighting1 10%
- Fuel system1 10%
- Lane departure1 10%
- Other or unknown1 10%
- Suspension1 10%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera): “The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11534626, filed 2023-07Electrical system: “While I was parking my car and braking the throttle opened wide and I jumped the curb. I reapplied the brakes hard and the car came to a stop after skidding 4 feet. (tire marks measured). I had the car towed to the dealer where they could find nothing wrong. In researching this problem it appears the electronic throttle system can at rare times have voltage problems that can cause this. My dealer could not replicate this but it has been done in a study by the korean national forensic service. …”
NHTSA complaint #11124027, filed 2018-09, 3,500 milesEngine: “Fuel injector failed without warning. A lot of fuel leaked into the engine destroying a spark plug in one cylinder and ultimately ruining the catalytic converter when fuel got into it. Independent mechanic and Mazda dealership diagnosed. Car cannot be driven.”
NHTSA complaint #11736705, filed 2026-05Brakes: “The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was moving from left to right. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal scraping sound. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #11504763, filed 2023-01Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,600 and 22,440 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-3 · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 13.6% risk |
| CX-3 · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 13.8% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2017: same overall rating; 2019: 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 2018 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-3 2WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 29 | 34 | 31 | $2,150 |
| CX-3 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 27 | 32 | 29 | $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
- 23V487000Jul 14, 2023Back over prevention › Sensing system › CameraCovers: Mazda CX-3 2016–2021, MAZDA3 2014–2018
Mazda 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.
Recall details for the 2018 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. 477 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037899Sep 11, 2026Electrical system. DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if…
- 11036688Aug 10, 2026Engine. This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1)…
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026Electrical system, Engine. This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine…
- 11032003May 1, 2026Transmission and drivetrain. This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and…
- 11032104Apr 30, 2026Body and structure, Other or unknown. DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026Engine, Brakes, Other or unknown, Transmission and…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended…
- 11032101Apr 16, 2026Engine. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a…
- 11032019Apr 11, 2026Fuel system. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-003/22 03/02/22 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking…
- 11032100Apr 4, 2026Body and structure, Electrical system. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more…
- 11030636Mar 11, 2026Engine. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water pumps are being…
Other model years of the Mazda CX-3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 27 | 11,250 | 2 | 5 | 31 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
| 2018 | 10 | 17,520 | 1 | 5 | 31 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 21 | 37,225 | 1 | 5 | 31 | — | Stable |
| 2016 | 48 | 20,000 | 3 | 5 | 31 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Mazda CX-3 have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2018 Mazda CX-3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Mazda CX-3 is reported most often?
Back-over prevention is named most often, in 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 2018 Mazda CX-3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2018 Mazda CX-3 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 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 2018 Mazda CX-3 get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Mazda CX-3 (CX-3 2WD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 31 mpg combined, 29 city and 34 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 2018 Mazda CX-3 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,520 miles and the middle half falls between 12,600 and 22,440 miles; 100% 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.