VehicleVerdict

Mazda MX-3 years to avoid

The Mazda MX-3 years to avoid are 1993, 1992 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 1990 is the cleanest year on record.

155

Total complaints

3

Recall campaigns

1990–1999

Years covered

2

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Mazda MX-3 NHTSA complaints by model year69 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 50 complaints1993: 69 complaints1994: 20 complaints1995: 12 complaints1996: 2 complaints1999: 1 complaints
Mazda MX-3 NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

MX-3 years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
1993High complaint rate69
1992High complaint rate50

Every MX-3 year

YearComplaintsRecalls
199910
199620
1995121
1994201
1993avoid693
1992avoid503
199110
199000

Common questions

What are the worst Mazda MX-3 years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the MX-3 years to avoid are 1993, 1992. The cleanest year on record is 1990.

What is the best year for the Mazda MX-3?

By complaint volume, 1990 has the cleanest NHTSA record among MX-3 years with enough data to compare.

How many recalls does the Mazda MX-3 have?

Across all model years, the MX-3 has 3 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 155 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.