1992 Mazda MX3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
24 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
120,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 24 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 10 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Webbing | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 |
Seat Belts: 10; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 3; Electrical System: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Webbing: 2; Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seat Belts:Front: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 13 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 3; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10155312 · 2006-04-13 (April 13, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LOST FIRST AND SECOND GEARS, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED TO 30 MPH AND LOST THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS. IT WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 180,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041896 · 2003-09-29 (September 29, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. NO SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR TO THE PLUGS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10888982 · 2016-07-27 (July 27, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1992 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE SPARKS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE TO BE SALVAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10888982 at NHTSA ↗