Most Mazda CX-3 VINs open with JM1 (Japan, 2016–2021). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often 0 (81%); a 2022 CX-3 carries N in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 4 recall campaigns and 108 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Mazda CX-3 VIN
Here is a real 2021 Mazda CX-3 VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN JM1DKFB76M1503007 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Mazda CX-3 VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Mazda CX-3 we have on record, from 2016 to 2021, opens with the same three characters, JM1:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM1 | 2016–2021 | Japan | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Mazda CX-3 it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2016–2019 | 87 | |
| 1 | 2018–2021 | 20 |
Counted from 108 dated Mazda CX-3 VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Mazda CX-3
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Mazda CX-3 has not yet outlived: its 7 years still map one-to-one. All 7 model years of the Mazda CX-3, 2016 to 2022, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Mazda CX-3 VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 33 VINs the Mazda CX-3 uses 3 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | D (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | K (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 7 (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Mazda CX-3 VIN gets you
Behind a Mazda CX-3 VIN: 108 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 4 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 108 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 30 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 6 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 7 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Mazda CX-3
A Mazda CX-3 VIN normally opens with JM1; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Mazda CX-3 VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 4 recall campaigns and 108 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Mazda CX-3.
What year is my CX-3 by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2022 CX-3 carries N, a 2021 CX-3 carries M, a 2020 CX-3 carries L.
Where was my CX-3 built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 108 dated Mazda CX-3 VINs it reads 0 81%, 1 19%.
What does position 4 mean on a Mazda CX-3 VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 33 Mazda CX-3 VINs here, D is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Mazda CX-3 check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with JM1. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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