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Mazda MX3Model year report

1992 Mazda MX3 Problems

Complaints
45filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
120,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 22 city / 29 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Mazda MX3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mazda MX3. The part named most often is seat belts, with 31 complaints (69% of the total), followed by suspension (6) and electrical system (5). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the webbing filed under the same part. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the coil springs and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). 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.

Example complaints

Seat belts: “1992 to 1993 Mazda mx-3 automatic shoulder belt recall Mazda dealership is not willing to honor the lifetime warranty on the automatic shoulder belt in spite of the documentation that was provided. The automatic seat belt is a safety issue and NHTSA ordered the recall and not Mazda.”

NHTSA complaint #10291250, filed 2009-11, 205,658 miles

Suspension: “The contact owns a 1992 Mazda MX3. The contact stated that the front coil spring fractured continuously. The coil spring was repaired by the contact the first three times the failure occurred yet the failure persisted. In addition, both the front driver and passenger side automatic seat belts were inoperable. …”

NHTSA complaint #10414636, filed 2011-07, 168,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owned a 1992 Mazda MX3. The contact smelled an abnormal burning odor and noticed sparks coming from the steering column near the ignition. In addition, the contact noticed white smoke coming from the steering column. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was turned off and the sparks stopped. The vehicle was repaired; however, they sold the vehicle to be salvaged. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10888982, filed 2016-07, 170,000 miles

Engine cooling: “While driving at any speed vehicle stalls unexpectedly which may result in a crash. Common problem. Dlr replaced distributor., but problem persisted. Please provide further information.”

NHTSA complaint #847800, filed 1999-09

Mileage when problems were reported

9% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 83,000 and 170,000 miles.

9%0–100%10–250%25–509%50–759%75–10036%100–15036%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (11 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 120,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’958’98’01’04’08’11’22
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 1992 Mazda MX3. 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
MX-3 · coupe not rated3 / 3———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1992 Mazda MX3 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
MX-3 FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual253228$2,400
MX-3 FWD1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automatic222925$2,700
MX-3 FWD1.9L 6-cyl5-speed manual202622$3,050
MX-3 FWD1.9L 6-cyl4-speed automatic182520$3,350

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 1992 Mazda MX3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.

Other model years of the Mazda MX3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
199510130,0001—25—Not enough data
19941995,9001—25—Stable
199354133,2163—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199245120,0003—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mazda MX3 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Mazda MX3 have?

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mazda MX3 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1992 Mazda MX3 is reported most often?

Seat belts is named most often, in 31 complaints (69% of the total), followed by suspension with 6.

Has the 1992 Mazda MX3 been recalled?

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

What gas mileage does the 1992 Mazda MX3 get?

The EPA rates the 1992 Mazda MX3 (MX-3, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Mazda MX3 reported?

Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 83,000 and 170,000 miles; 9% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.