2016 Mazda CX-3: complaints, problems and recalls

MULTIPLE WATER LINES LEFT ON WINDSHIELD AFTER EACH SWIPE OF THE WIPERS DURING A LIGHT OR HEAVY RAINFALL WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THIS PROBLEM INITIALLY OCCURED IN OCTOBER, 2015, AND CONTINUES TO OCCUR EVERY TIME IT RAINS!! THIS PROBLEM DEFINITELY AFFECTS VISIBILITY! MY NEW CX-3 DID RECEIVE NEW WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED! APPARENTLY THE WIPER BLADES MAZDA IS PROVIDING ARE DEFECTIVE!!

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820382 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT A MAZDA CX-3 ON DECEMBER 31ST 2015. ON JANUARY 27TH I DROVE THE CAR FROM HOME TO WORK FOR 20 MINUTES AND I ENTERED PARKING LOT WITH MAY BE 15 MILES AN HOUR! I MADE MY 90 DEGREE TURN INTO PARKING STALL WITH MAY BE 5 MILES AN HOUR AND PUSHED THE BRAKE TO FULLY STOP! CAR ALMOST STOPPED BUT SUDDENLY SOMETHING WEIRD HAPPENED AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED! IT STOPPED BY HITTING THE SNOW BANK AND ANOTHER CAR! I AM SHOCKED AND VERY SCARED!

Owner-reported narrative. 350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824302 at NHTSA ↗

WARM ENGINE, VERY HARD/LONG CRANKING TIME. VS. STARTS RIGHT UP WHEN ENGINE COLD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10887717 at NHTSA ↗

I TURNED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND WAS SLOWING DOWN .EVERYTHING SEEMED NORMAL WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR SPED UP INTO A WOODED AREA. THE CAR SHOT INTO THE TREES. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE I TRIED TO STOP IT BUT IT JUST KEPT GOING. THE CAR STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A TREE. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND REALIZED THAT MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN PARK.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10903247 at NHTSA ↗

THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE REAR LIFT GATE. IT'S BEEN MORE THAN 2 1/2 MONTHS AND STILL NO REPAIR FOR THIS AND THE WINTER IS STARTING WITH THE ROAD SALTS WHICH MAY CORRODE THE IMPROPERLY COATED REAR LIFT GATE. MAZDA HAS NOT OFFERED A REMEDY AND IT'S BEEN TOO LONG. PLEASE FOLLOW UP AND PRESSURE THEM TO COME UP WITH A REMEDY.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10927359 at NHTSA ↗

IN THE PAST 4 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD 4 EPISODES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. EACH TIME WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD AS THE ENGINE REVVED, AND THE BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE AT STOPPING THE CAR. TWO OF THE EPISODES COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT QUICK EVASIVE ACTION ON MY PART. I HAVE ALSO HAD SEVERAL EPISODES OF THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVING ON START UP (WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10935412 at NHTSA ↗

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID ONLY REACHES THE VERY BOTTOM PORTION OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I BROUGHT INTO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS OPERATING SIMILARLY TO OTHER NEW CX-3'S AND ACCORDING TO DESIGN/MANUFACTURE. I ADVISED THEM MY WINDSHIELD IS NOT BEING CLEANED AS ONE WOULD EXPECT AND IS PRESENTING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. I CALLED MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND AM NOT BEING HELPED.

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947628 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING HOME THROUGH PITTSBURGH, PA IN ABOUT AN INCH OF SNOW I CAME TO A 90 DEGREE TURN ON A RESIDENTIAL CITY STREET. I TOOK THE TURN AT NO MORE THAN 15 MPH AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THE TURN, INSTEAD SLIDING INTO THE CURB CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT STEERING ASSEMBLY. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT OF THE TIRES HAVE LITTLE TO NO GRIP IN THE SNOW. PAST INCIDENTS HAVE ALL INCLUDED THE VEHICLE IN MOTION, ON A HALF INCH OR MORE OF SNOW, AND LOSING GRIP WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE OR STEER. MOST INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AT SLOWER SPE…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956244 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2016-04-11 (April 11, 2016)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.

Consequence: If the steering knuckle separates from the strut assembly, it can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lower mounting nuts and bolts that secure the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle. If the bolts are loose, they will be replaced and then correctly tightened, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 20, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9316D.

Reported: 2016-09-06 (September 6, 2016)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

Reported: 2023-07-14 (July 14, 2023)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.