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Mazda CX-3 VIN Check

NHTSA holds 108 owner complaints on the Mazda CX-3 from 79 production runs; the worst run has 5, the typical one 1.4.

NHTSA complaint records · 108 complaints · 79 runs · 2016–2021 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported CX-3 run is JM1DKBC75G0 (2016 builds) with 5 complaints, 3.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 24% of reports; 2016 is the worst model year at 1.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for CX-3 model years 2016–2021.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mazda CX-3 has 79 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 18% of every CX-3 complaint on file.

FIG.01·Mazda CX-3 — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
JM1DKBC75G0••••••201651—
JM1DKBD78G0••••••20164——
JM1DKBC79G0••••••20164——
JM1DKBD74G0••••••201631—
JM1DKBD77G0••••••20163——
JM1DKFB79K0••••••20193——
JM1DKBC73G0••••••20162——
JM1DKBD73G0••••••201621—
JM1DKFC76G0••••••20162——
JM1DKFC74H0••••••20172——
JM1DKFC75H0••••••20172——
JM1DKBC76G0••••••20162——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 67 CX-3 runs has 2 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 33 CX-3 VINs so far, most often 2019, 2018, 2017 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mazda CX-3 the gap between build years is 1.6×: a 2016 car draws 1.6 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.

FIG.02·Mazda CX-3 — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
20211.343—
20191.227221
2018110101
20171.320152
20161.646284
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2016 at 1.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2018 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 24% of everything Mazda CX-3 owners report: Electrical System, 24 of 108 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Mazda CX-3 — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Electrical System24——
Unknown Or Other161—
Fuel/propulsion System16——
Engine101—
Back Over Prevention10——
Exterior Lighting9——
Steering91—
Visibility/wiper7——
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the Mazda CX-3; the 4 below cover build years 2016 to 2021. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Mazda CX-3 — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
23V487000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera2016–2021
21V875000Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump2019
16V644000Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate2016
16V203000Steering2016
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

23V487000 was opened in 2023 on cars built from 2016: 7 years on the road before the recall.

The CX-3 against its rivals

The CX-3 draws 1.4 complaints per production run; the Volkswagen Golf 1.5, the Mitsubishi Mirage G4 1.5 and the Volkswagen e-Golf 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 4.

FIG.05·Mazda CX-3 VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Mazda CX-3108791.48.3%
Volkswagen Golf1,2608261.53.7%
Mitsubishi Mirage G444291.520.5%
Volkswagen e-Golf49331.50%
ROWS 4·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 108 reports on the Mazda CX-3, 8.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.

FIG.06·Mazda CX-3 — complaint severity
OutcomeMazda CX-3All vehicles
Complaints filed1081,115,966
Involved a crash9 (8.3%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire0 (0%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported358,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Crash-related reports run 43% above the all-vehicle rate.

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mazda CX-3 share of that is 108 complaints over 79 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.

Everything on the Mazda CX-3
Recalls13 campaignsFuel economy31 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems111 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space16 cu ftUsed prices184 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2016–2022

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Mazda CX-3 VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 108 NHTSA complaints from 79 CX-3 runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which CX-3 production run has the most complaints?

JM1DKBC75G0, a 2016 build, with 5 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical CX-3 run has 1.4.

Which CX-3 years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2016 is heaviest at 1.6 complaints per run and 2018 lightest at 1.

Does the CX-3 get more complaints than the Volkswagen Golf?

No: 1.4 complaints per production run for the CX-3 against 1.5 for the Volkswagen Golf.

How many CX-3 complaints involve a crash?

8.3% of 108 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 0 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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