2018 Mazda CX-3: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 10 owner complaints on record; most reports concern back over prevention.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2026
“The contact owns a 2018 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 contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Dec 2024
“Heavy condensation is occurring inside the driver side headlamp. A quick google search shows this is a common problem among Mazda owners and Mazda will not cover the repair. I am unable to get a Massachusetts state inspection sticker due to this.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2024
Show 5 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Jul 2023
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2022
“Was driving my grandchildren home when an alarm that I had never heard before started sounding and BRAKE! showed up on the heads up display. The car came to a stop out in the middle of the street even though there was nothing in front of or around the vehicle. It was a good thing there was not a car behind me or they would have rear-ended my vehicle and we or the people in the car that hit us could have gotten seriously hurt. I took the car to the dealer and they did a diagnostics check and said no codes came up so there was nothing wrong with the car. They actually told me that when and if it happens again to videotape it for proof.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Dec 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2018 mazda cx-3. The contact stated while driving 52 mph, the blind spot detection warning indicator was not working. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to olympia mazda (2201 carriage southwest olympia, wa 98502) where the failure was diagnosed as a blind spot monitoring system failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under manufacturer communications number: tsb:15-004-18-3539. The contact was upset that the tsb was not a recall. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,440.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Sep 2020
“I was in a parking ramp, I rounded the corner going up and was pulling into a parking spot, my foot was on the break, and the car accelerated. I lurched forward into a wall of the ramp. It wasn't raining so pavement and ramp were not wet. The dealer has looked at the car, said they saw break and gas pedal active at the same time. They said nothing was wrong with the car.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact CX-3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Mazda CX-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 10 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2018 Mazda CX-3. The most complained-about area is back over prevention.
Does the 2018 Mazda CX-3 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention: sensing system: camera. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.