2018 Mazda CX-3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
17,520 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Back Over Prevention is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 30.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Back Over Prevention | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Back Over Prevention: 2; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 1; Service Brakes: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2021: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Back Over Prevention leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11124027 · 2018-09-02 (September 2, 2018)
WHILE I WAS PARKING MY CAR AND BRAKING THE THROTTLE OPENED WIDE AND I JUMPED THE CURB. I REAPPLIED THE BRAKES HARD AND THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AFTER SKIDDING 4 FEET. (TIRE MARKS MEASURED). I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM CAN AT RARE TIMES HAVE VOLTAGE PROBLEMS THAT CAN CAUSE THIS. MY DEALER COULD NOT REPLICATE THIS BUT IT HAS BEEN DONE IN A STUDY BY THE KOREAN NATIONAL FORENSIC SERVICE. SINCE ALL NEW CARS HAVE THE SAME ELECTRONIC THR…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11124027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444015 · 2021-12-16 (December 16, 2021)
Was driving my grandchildren home when an alarm that I had never heard before started sounding and BRAKE! showed up on the heads up display. The car came to a stop out in the middle of the street even though there was nothing in front of or around the vehicle. It was a good thing there was not a car behind me or they would have rear-ended my vehicle and we or the people in the car that hit us could have gotten seriously hurt. I took the car to the dealer and they did a diagnostics check and said no codes came up so there was nothing wrong with …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11736705 · 2026-05-08 (May 8, 2026)
Fuel injector failed without warning. A lot of fuel leaked into the engine destroying a spark plug in one cylinder and ultimately ruining the catalytic converter when fuel got into it. Independent mechanic and Mazda dealership diagnosed. Car cannot be driven.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11736705 at NHTSA ↗