1994 Mazda MX-3: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern suspension; the 1995 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 1997
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx3. The contact stated that immediately after parking in a residential garage, she heard a loud pop. After inspecting the vehicle, she realized that the coil spring fractured and punctured the tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 97v116000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000. Mah”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2013
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx-3. While driving 5 mph, the front coil spring failed and caused the front passenger side tire to blow out. The rotation of the coil spring punctured the tire. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The tire must be replaced. The dealer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 97v116000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The vehicle does not have cruise control or antilock brakes. The contact is not the original owner of the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 78,200.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx-3. The contact stated that the two front coil springs failed, which caused the cd axles on both sides to fail. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done because the VIN was excluded from the recall. In addition, the area where the vehicle was manufactured was not affected. The cd axles were replaced. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 60 mph on normal road conditions, the right front tire exploded due to a puncture from a fractured coil spring. There is a recall, # 97v116000 for the coil spring on the contacts year, make and model. However the contacts VIN was not included. The recall only applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in salt states. The contact use to live in nebraska and commuted to a salt state, iowa, and now lives in florida. The manufacturer was contacted who refused to provide the recall letter and referred the contact to a local dealer for repairs. The dealership denied the recall remedy without the recall letter. Updated 12/15/06. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · May 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated while parking the front coil springs broke. There is a NHTSA recall, # 97v116000, regarding the suspension front springs coil springs. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2006
“While backing out of the driveway at 10 mph or less consumer heard a noise and noticed the right front tire was flat. Vehicle was towed to the repair shop. Mechanic informed determined that coil spring broke and punctured the tire. The repair shop notified a local mazda dealer.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2004
“The left front (driver's side) coil spring broke while I was driving home from work. The tire and rim were damaged, leaving me stranded on highway. *nlm”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2003
“While driving on highway at approximately 60mph all of a sudden the hood unlatched, and block edthe driver's view. Put emergency lights on and pulled over. Hood smashed the windshield. Didn't contact dealer, but contacrf insurance co. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 1999
“When vehicle started off, a loud "clunk" noise was heard. The left front end had collapsed. Drove to midas dealer & half way to dealer the tire blew. At midas, mechanic noticed cracked in coil springs. That caused the break in the wheel well.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 1999
“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. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON, DC. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, CORROSIVE PITS CAN DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING. REPEATED USE CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE COIL SPRING TO BREAK AND A TIRE COULD BE PUNCTURED FROM CONTACT WITH THE BROKEN COIL SPRING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GUARD ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL PREVENT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE. IN ADDITION TO PERFORMING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, MAZDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR THE LIFT OF THE VEHICLE. IF OWNERS HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THESE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, DUE TO ROAD SALT DAMAGE, MAZDA WILL REIMBURSE THESE OWNERS FOR REASONABLE EXPENSES.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MX-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 1994 Mazda MX-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1994 Mazda MX-3. The most complained-about area is suspension.
Does the 1994 Mazda MX-3 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:springs:coil springs. 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.