1993 Mazda MX3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 52 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (53% 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 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer 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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. While driving approximately 55-65 mph, the driver side seat belt became stuck in the back position and would not move forward. The contact pressed the emergency release button to get out of the seat belt. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed of recall 97v211000 (seat belts: front: webbing). The contact was told by the dealer that he had to have the door latch switch repaired before the recall repair could be performed. He was also told that the wiring needed to be inspected but he would be charged for it. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000 and the current mileage was approximately 149,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. While entering the vehicle the cable which retracts the buckle assembly became jammed in the rail. The condition rendered the shoulder belt inoperative. The previous owner had the vehicle repaired according to recall # 97v211000( seat belts:front:webbing). Since the remedy was performed the manufacturer will not provide a second repair free of charge. The current and failure mileages were 117,000. Updated 11/09/09 *bf updated 11/09/09”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. While driving approximately 30 mph, the driver heard a loud noise and the front passenger side tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and the mechanic stated that the front passenger side coil spring punctured the tire and caused it to explode. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97v116000 (suspension: front: springs: coil springs); therefore, they would not assist with the repair. The contact will have the vehicle repaired. The current and failure mileages were 150,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2009
“Drivers side automatic belt does not work. Can only use lap belt. Had dealership correct during initial recall but there was not a problem then. Years later problem began and mazda will not correct. Seat belt keeps moving back and forth in track and will not lock in place. I have to remove fuse because it is constant.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The driver side front seat belt was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 97v211000 (seat belts:front:webbing) in january 15, 2002. Recently, the front passenger side front seat belt cable and retractor failed. The manufacturer stated that the front driver side seat belt was repaired; therefore, the recall was closed. The contact will need to replace the seat belt on his own. He is arguing with the manufacturer that the recall stated that both seat belts should be replaced. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 197,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The contact stated that the passenger side seat belt cord came offtrack. The dealer is charging over $1,000 for the repair. The manufacturer stated that the seat belt recall was previously reparied on the vehicle in late 2000. The failure mileage was 93,200.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2008
“Tl* the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The contact stated that the automatic seat belt was jammed and would not latch. In addition, the shoulder strap would not come restrain over the shoulder. The contact believed the failure to be a severe safety issue because only the lap belt was operable. The failure mileage was 93,000 and the current mileage was unknown. Updated 06/01/11*lj updated 06/10/11”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda mx3. The contact stated that the drivers side motor for the seat belt failed and locked when she opened the door. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer; nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2008
“Dt*: the contact stated intermittently the automatic seat belts will not automatically retract. In order to unlock the seat belts the contact has to reach around to the back seat. An NHTSA recall, # 97v211000 was performed on the vehicle five times concerning the seat belts:front:webbing however, the recall did not remedy the problem. The first time the recall was performed was in 2004. The last time was approximately six months ago. The dealership and the manufacturer instructed the contact to bring the vehicle back in. The contact will not return the vehicle for service due to the location of the dealership.”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - 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 1993 Mazda MX3 reliable?
NHTSA has 52 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Mazda MX3. The most complained-about area is seat belts (53% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Mazda MX3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 133,216 miles or less.
Does the 1993 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.