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.
Research · Compact Cars
2020 Mazda CX-3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 2020 Mazda CX-3. Most complaints involve air bags (1). 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
1campaigns
Latest Jul 2023
Owner complaints
1
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2022 – Oct 2022
- Air bags1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Air bags
1 report1 crash
“On 1/22/21, I was driving for Lyft. I had a passenger in this car and I was giving her a ride home. I had a seizure towards the end of the ride, and was completely amnesiac to the crash that occurred. During my seizure, I was unable to check for clearance before I entered a highway and I crashed into another car. In the police report, it states that my air bags didn't go off. As a result, my head hit the windshield and I suffered a traumatic brain injury which was a brain hemorrhage. I had to spend a night in the hospital and I got 13 staples in my head. Now, over a year later I still get migraines and I can no longer drive due to symptoms from my complex PTSD. This has affected all aspects of my life, including my ability to find employment in my field of mental health. I have nine years of experience as a mental health professional, and most of the jobs in my field require a driver's license and car. This accident could have killed me, as well as the passenger in my car and the people in the car that I crashed into. I should have reported this accident earlier, but I was dealing with a deep depression and didn't even know I could report this until after I contacted a lawyer.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
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 Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CX-3 2WD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 34 | 31 | $2,000 | 289 |
| CX-3 4WD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 27 | 32 | 29 | $2,150 | 303 |
- 31mpg comb.
- 29mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Mazda 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%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2020 CX-3 questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Mazda CX-3 have?
1 safety recall as of Nov 11, 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 2020 Mazda CX-3 problems?
Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2020 Mazda CX-3 get?
The EPA rates the 2020 Mazda CX-3 at 29–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).
How safe is the 2020 Mazda CX-3?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Mazda CX-3 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026