Reliable Auto DB

2019 Mazda CX-3 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 has 27 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most CX-3 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Fuel pump.

2016 Mazda CX-3
Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

27

Per year

2

Recalls

2

Years on the road

8

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (9 of 27), then Steering (5) and Air bags (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 CX-3 has 10 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2020 has 1 complaint, 0 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

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 2019 Mazda CX-3. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

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 Fuel pump 2021-11-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V875000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Remedy Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Complaints by component (27 total)

Electrical system
9
Steering
5
Air bags
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Back-over prevention
1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Engine
1
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Seats
1
Service brakes
1
Speed control
1
Structure
1
Wheels
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120182201932020120216202272023520241202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Ok so the front seat passenger side i put my phone it think there a person there and it dings constantly until I plug seatbelt it annoying I dont want to hear that all the time madza know about it they won't help unless…"
    Air bags · filed 2026-08-10
  • "So the sport mode on cx3 have not bracket under the sport mode and if try to activeit the sport mode whole switch goes down you cant active with grabbing it will fall out of socket"
    Electrical system · filed 2024-12-17
  • "The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that occasionally the air bag warning light flashed off and on.…"
    Air bags, Latches, locks, and linkages · filed 2024-10-28
  • "A recall notice dated July 14, 2023 stated improper design of rearview camera wiring harness fastener. The fastener may become damaged from vibrations during normal vehicle use and/or while closing the lift gate. I have…"
    Electrical system · filed 2024-07-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2019 Mazda CX-3 SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2019 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 34 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

Previous year 2018 Mazda CX-3 See every Mazda CX-3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Mazda CX-3 reliable?

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 has 27 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most CX-3 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Fuel pump.

What are common problems with a 2019 Mazda CX-3?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (9 of 27), then Steering (5) and Air bags (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Is the 2019 Mazda CX-3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 CX-3 has 10 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2020 has 1 complaint, 0 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Mazda CX-3 been recalled?

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 has 2 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 2019 Mazda CX-3?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2019 Mazda CX-3 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Mazda CX-3 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 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.