1992 Mazda MX3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 44 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (67% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* contact owns a 1992 mazda mx3. The vehicle was parked and the contact observed the driver side seat belt retractor does not extract the webbing properly. The authorized dealer was notified and informed that a prior recall repair was performed on the vehicle in december of 1998. The NHTSA campaign id number was 97v211000 (seat belts: front: webbing). The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact had concern of the safety hazard involved. The failure mileage was 120,000. The current mileage was 120,500.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2010
“1992 to 1993 mazda mx-3 automatic shoulder belt recall mazda dealership is not willing to honor the lifetime warranty on the automatic shoulder belt in spite of the documentation that was provided. The automatic seat belt is a safety issue and NHTSA ordered the recall and not mazda. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2009
“Car has a interior frame metal problem inside the structure of the car its welds,are coming apart sheet metal,wheel wells core support,front bumper,floor rear spare tire,sheetmetal,the rust proofing was not enough on car,or they forgot to zinc coat the inside+outside of the car metal frame(body)”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2008
Show 7 more owner reports
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 mph the vehicle's transmission lost first and second gears, the vehicle was slowed to 30 mph and lost third and fourth gears. It was coasted off the road without incident. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. This is the third transmission failure. The manufacturer was not alerted.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2006
“Tl*the contact owns a 1992 mazda mx3. While driving 30 mph, the front wheels on the vehicle moved uncontrollably. A mechanic stated that the front coils springs failed. The mazda dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97v116000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The manufacturer would not assist with the repair since the vehicle was not included in the recall. The current mileage was 117,000 and failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2005
“Dt: the contact stated recall 97v211000 for the front seat belts was issued. A warning light illuminated, indicating the seat belt was not fastened. When stopping the vehicle the passive restraint will not lock to keep the occupant from moving forward. When he took the vehicle to have the recall repairs performed the dealer wanted him to pay for the repairs. The dealer stated the recall component was different than the component that failed on vehicle. *ak updated 11/29/2005 - *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2005
“The automatic seat belt became stuck and is unable to retract on the driver's side. The dealer has examined the vehicle and found that the cable was twisted inside of the housing. *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2004
“While driving 55 mph a loud noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. Consumer drove vehicle to dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that both frontal upper and lower ball joints needed to be replaced due to worn out parts. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2004
“Seat belt malfunction previously repaired under recall 97v211000 is recurring with same symptoms of seat belt not retracting when door is opened to exit vehicle. Is the cause now the same as it was when first repaired and if so, does the same recall apply as it seems the cause remains a defect? *jb”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2003
“Passenger's front seatbelt buckle does not buckle. Took vehicle to dealer, and they could not correct the problem. Please provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE INSPECTION CRITERIA.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact MX3 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 1992 Mazda MX3 reliable?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Mazda MX3. The most complained-about area is seat belts (67% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Mazda MX3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 122,500 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Mazda MX3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. 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.