2016 Mazda CX-3 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 has 48 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 3 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 7 CX-3 years on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Camera, Liftgate, and Steering.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (11 of 48), then Exterior lighting (7) and Back-over prevention (6). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2017

The 2017 CX-3 has 21 complaints, 1 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Mazda CX-3. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-07-14 · NHTSA campaign 23V487000

Summary 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.

Remedy Dealers 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, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

Recall structure, body, liftgate 2016-09-06 · NHTSA campaign 16V644000

Summary Mazda 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.

Remedy Mazda 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.

Recall Steering 2016-04-11 · NHTSA campaign 16V203000

Summary Mazda 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.

Remedy Mazda 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.

Complaints by component (48 total)

Electrical system

Exterior lighting

Back-over prevention

Fuel and propulsion system

Engine

Visibility and wipers

Lane departure

Seat belts

Seats

Service brakes

Speed control

Structure

Air bags

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Wheels

Show 7 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"It’s a safety risk with this car. The converter burns super fast, causing issues that seem like it’s related to transmission or alternator."
Unknown or other · filed 2026-05-01
"While driving on the highway on a posted 65mph, the fuel remaining on the vehicle was posted at 1/4, approx. 75miles remaining. The vehicle abruptly stalled and I managed to pull over on the side of the road. The…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-01-14
"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…"
Back-over prevention · filed 2024-12-30
"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…"
Back-over prevention · filed 2024-10-11
"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…"
Back-over prevention · filed 2024-06-21

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2016 Mazda CX-3 SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2016 Mazda CX-3 SUV FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
CX-3 two-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	29	35	31 MPG	$2100
CX-3 four-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Four-wheel drive	27	32	29 MPG	$2250

Specs and fitment

1st generation (DK), 2016–2021

Body styles SUV

Oil 0W-20 , 4.4 qt capacity

Tire size 215/60R16, 215/50R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 23V-487 covers certain 2016-2021 Mazda CX-3 vehicles, and also certain Mazda3 models: the rearview camera image may flicker or distort and not display properly. Dealers inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary and install a wiring-harness fastening seal. The campaign's published unit count is shared with the listed Mazda3 years. Recall 16V-203 covers certain 2016 CX-3 vehicles: lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may need inspection and correction so the strut remains secured.

Compare

Next year 2017 Mazda CX-3 See every Mazda CX-3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mazda CX-3 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2016 Mazda CX-3?

Is the 2016 Mazda CX-3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 CX-3 has 21 complaints, 1 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Mazda CX-3 been recalled?

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Mazda CX-3?

Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 2016 Mazda CX-3 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Mazda CX-3 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Mazda CX-3 is 30 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Mazda CX-3 use?

U.S. specs commonly list 0W-20 with about 4.4 qt including filter on the SKYACTIV-G engine.

What tire sizes fit the Mazda CX-3?

OE fitment is 215/60R16 or 215/50R18 depending on trim; confirm on the placard.

What NHTSA recalls mention the Mazda CX-3?

Recall 23V-487 covers certain 2016-2021 CX-3 models for rearview camera image issues (shared with Mazda3), and 16V-203 covers certain 2016 CX-3 front strut mounting hardware.