Exterior:

There are reports of the Forward Collision Warnings and Lane Departure Warnings alerting even though there are no cars surrounding it. This is usually due to either faulty sensors or control modules/computers.

Some owner’s have reported of condensation building up in the headlights.

Rear-View cameras are also known to fail or show a blurry image on screen.

The tailgate can actually drop suddenly without warning, this is usually due to water managing to get through to the tailgate strut cylinder. This can result in corrosion of the strut attachment itself. A recall was issued to address this issue (see below).

Interior:

There have been reports of air conditioning issues, such as cool air taking an extended time to come through, or the system will only blowing hot air or possibly not work at all. In some cases the HVAC system might just need to be regassed, however in more severe instances the compressor may need to be replaced.

The infotainment systems have been known to be problematic. Some owners have complained of screens glitching or showing blank screens, or even rebooting several times randomly whilst driving.

Mechanically:

The diesel power plants are still relatively new so there is not a huge amount reliability information yet, however, there are reports of issues with the turbos and variable vane actuation.

These diesel engines also “make oil”. That’s where diesel particulates and unburnt fuel escape pas the rings and end up in the oil so it is absolutely critical oil services are carried out on time.

While Mazda are commonly regarded as a manufacturer of very reliable vehicles, with these diesel engines it’s likely we’ll see all the same issues as other small common rail diesels such as DPF and EGR related problems.

In terms of the 2.0-litre petrol engine, this makes far more sense than the diesel for a number of reasons.

This engine has been around for years and has a proven reliability track record.

Also, versions of this engine are used in a range of different Ford and Mazda vehicles so parts availability is never going to be an issue, plus this engine is commonly used in many motorsport applications, again an example of its strength and reliability.

Occasionally high pressure fuel pumps and injector complications may occur although this is very rare and poorly maintained examples can suffer from the usual water pumps and coil pack issues seen on any modern neglected vehicle.

If well serviced, the petrol powered Mazda CX-3 shouldn’t give you too many issues.

Recalls:

• April 2016 – Fault in Mazda MAZDA2, CX-3, CX-9 (2013-2015)The lower nut and bolt securing the front suspension strut to the steering knuckle may not have been tightened properly, potentially leading to the nut loosening and detaching. This issue can impact both sides of the front suspension, and in extreme cases, result in the separation of the front shock absorber and steering knuckle. Consequently, there is a risk of losing control over steering. 297 units of Mazda vehicles from the 2013-2015 range were affected by this fault.
• September 2016 – Inappropriate paint on Liftgate Stay Dampers (struts) of Mazda vehicles (MAZDA3, MAZDA6, CX-3, CX-5) from 2008 to 2016 leads to corrosion, potentially causing the external body to swell, end-cap to split, and injuries due to dislodged components from pressurised gas.
• June 2017 – The Mazda MAZDA2 (DJ/DL) & CX-3 (DK) vehicles manufactured between 2016 and 2017 are affected by a fault where the surface finish on the brake hose clips may be damaged during installation, leading to potential brake fluid leakage and reduced braking performance.
• May 2018 – The Mazda CX-3 (2015-2017) has a defect where operating the engine at high revs in an unloaded condition may draw residual oil into the engine, leading to uncontrollable high RPM and potential hazards for occupants and other road users.
• September 2022 – Certain vehicles may experience a fault where the front passenger airbag may not deploy correctly in the event of a collision.