Research · Compact Cars

2019 Mazda CX-3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 27 owner complaints for the 2019 Mazda CX-3. Most complaints involve electrical system (9) and steering (5). The EPA rates it 29–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29–31mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2023
Owner complaints
27
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: camera

Remedy pending

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.

Back over preventionReported Jul 14, 2023NHTSA 23V487000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Nov 12, 2021NHTSA 21V875000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

27 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2018 – Aug 2026
  1. Electrical system9
  2. Steering5
  3. Air bags2
  4. Fuel/propulsion system2
  5. Visibility/wiper2
  6. Fuel system, gasoline2
  7. Latches/locks/linkages1
  8. Back over prevention1
  9. Structure1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each CX-3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201648
201721
201810
201927
20201
20214
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

9 reports
“So the sport mode on cx3 have not bracket under the sport mode and if try to activeit the sport mode whole switch goes down you cant active with grabbing it will fall out of socket”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2024Electrical systemODI 11631126

Steering

5 reports1 crash
“Dec 7, 2023, I was driving on [XXX] in Gaston County and someone slammed my vehicle as I was driving safely and not fast. I was in the middle lane and barely saw the vehicle that slammed me pushing me to the left of the interstate. Officer Talley, J was there to help me: The report number is [XXX]. The vehicle was totally damaged and I am waiting for Progressive to complete the claim so I can get another vehicle. I am currently renting a vehicle from Enterprise for 28 days.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2023Steering, Structure, WheelsCrash reportedODI 11560533

Air bags

2 reports
“Ok so the front seat passenger side i put my phone it think there a person there and it dings constantly until I plug seatbelt it annoying I dont want to hear that all the time madza know about it they won't help unless there a recall”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026Air bagsODI 11755876
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
CX-3 2WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293431$2,050289
CX-3 4WD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
273229$2,200303
  • CX-3 2WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 34 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • CX-3 4WD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 32 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Mazda CX-3 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Mazda CX-3 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
13.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 13006Vehicle 13005
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2019 CX-3 questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Mazda CX-3 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2019 Mazda CX-3 problems?

Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (9), steering (5), air bags (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Mazda CX-3 get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Mazda CX-3 at 29–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Mazda CX-3?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Mazda CX-3 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026