Mazda MX-3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
94,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 21 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 7 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly | 1 |
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 7; Air Bags:Frontal: 4; Seat Belts: 2; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 3; 2000: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2009: 1; 2013: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 10212758 · 2007-12-13 (December 13, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA MX-3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE ROTATION OF THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE TIRE MUST BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V116000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL OR ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE CONTACT IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FA…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10212758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965538 · 1995-05-18 (May 18, 1995)
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, CAR FISH TAILED, TOTALLED CAR, AIR BAG BURNED FACE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 976431 · 1995-12-11 (December 11, 1995)
WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED ELECTRICAL ITEMS WOULD DIM. GIVE MORE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 976431 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 0 |
1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 0