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Mazda MX3Model year report

1994 Mazda MX3 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
95,900miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of 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 / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Mazda MX3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mazda MX3. The part named most often is suspension, with 9 complaints (47% of the total), followed by air bags (6) and brakes (1). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 13% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,900 miles. Of all complaints, 7 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Suspension complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the coil springs and 1 NHTSA investigation 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.

Example complaints

Suspension: “Either dec 2000 or jan 2001 my Mazda mx-3 had a front coil spring break. My mechanic contacted Mazda district representative and showed the coil to him. My mechanic felt this was not something that should have happened. The district rep said there was nothing Mazda could do. I contacted Mazda myself and they said that they would do nothing. Then a few months later, I found your website and conveyed the information found to Mazda and they said that it was not a recall for the mx-3 only the mx-6. They said your website was incorrect. …”

NHTSA complaint #10100670, filed 2004-11, 114,000 miles

Air bags: “Was traveling in 1st gear at approximately 10mph when vehicle in front stopped short. Had applied brakes lightly but quickly, and tapped vehicle in front. When this happened, air bags did not deploy. Passenger's side window broke due to metal piece on cover of air bag.”

NHTSA complaint #834142, filed 1999-01

Mileage when problems were reported

13% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 78,200 and 114,000 miles.

13%0–100%10–250%25–5013%50–7538%75–10038%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

1995199719994200320062013
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1994 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 manual253428$2,400
MX-3 FWD1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automatic223125$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 1994 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 1994 Mazda MX3 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mazda MX3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1994 Mazda MX3 is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 9 complaints (47% of the total), followed by air bags with 6.

Has the 1994 Mazda MX3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Mazda MX3 get?

The EPA rates the 1994 Mazda MX3 (MX-3, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 22 city and 31 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 1994 Mazda MX3 reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,900 miles and the middle half falls between 78,200 and 114,000 miles; 13% 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. 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.