Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Mazda CX-30 problems

Owners filed 101 complaints about the 2021 Mazda CX-30 with NHTSA between May 2021 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (49).

Complaints
101
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine49
  2. Electrical system14
  3. Forward collision avoidance12
  4. Visibility/wiper9
  5. Power train8
  6. Vehicle speed control8
  7. Service brakes6
  8. Visibility3
  9. Air bags3
  10. Fuel/propulsion system3
  11. Seats2
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  13. Lane departure1
  14. Wheels1

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 Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20218
202237
202323
202417
20257
20269

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

49 reports
“While driving, on approach to a stop signal, at an intersection the car stopped moving. The display said engine malfunction, have inspected. The electronics and engine continued to operate, but the car would not move when gas pedal was depressed. I shut off and restarted my vehicle numerous times, with no effect on the problem, the car still would not move. The vehicle behind me had to brake unexpectedly, and I could have been hit by others in the intersection, there could have been an accident.(I put car in neutral and the driver behind me, pushed my vehicle, manually, out of the intersection) AAA towed vehicle to the dealer I purchased it from, they were unable to reproduce the problem or retrieve codes to identify problem.( AAA did something under the hood before towing and I was able to drive vehicle to nearby parking lot to be towed) No other inspection has been conducted. Over prior week I noted intermittent engine revving while driving for very brief seconds and this occurred just prior to the incident that resulted in the inability to move the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 29, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11734603

Electrical system

14 reports
“For the past 2 years there has been a severe parasitic battery drain issue that drains that battery partially or in some cases completely ruins new batteries. Car has spent a cumulative total of 3 months with a dealer trying to find the source. 5 batteries in 2 years and often times need to jump start the car. Car has been at dealer dozens of times and they have been unable to resolve issue. In looking online many others with same problems”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2026Electrical systemODI 11765721

Forward collision avoidance

12 reports4 crashes
“On June 3rd, 2026, about 1:15 PM, I braked in the rain because there was a stopped car in front of me. The brakes did not work; the Automatic Emergency brakes did not work; the Forward Collision Warning did not work and I hit the car in front of me causing a 3 car accident. As I hit the car I saw the Forward Collision Warning come on and then go out. Unfortunately, the brakes worked after that and the Mazda Collision Center cannot find anything wrong with the brakes. I note that the 2022 and 2023 models of the same car did have recalls related to the brakes. The claim is still open and I have not yet received the final damage report. Yesterday I was told the revised estimate is $16,000 and my car and the middle care with front and rear and damage are considered totaled.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 13, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11743896

Visibility/wiper

9 reports
“The vehicle experienced a premature internal A/C failure, resulting in a total loss of climate control refrigerant. Because the A/C system failed, the vehicle's windshield defroster completely stopped removing humidity and moisture from the cabin air. This caused the front windshield to instantly and severely fog over while operating the vehicle completely obstructing forward driver visibility. The manufacturer has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) MC-10203760-0001 for factory evaporator defect on 2021 models, acknowledging low refrigerant charge due to component leakage. However, the manufacturer's current TSB VIN cutoff is too narrow. My vehicle is a 2021 model built at the same facility experiencing the exact same component failure past the arbitrary cutoff, proving the dangerous defect extends into later production runs. The current parameters must be expanded to protect public safety and a recall needs to be initiated to fix the issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2026Visibility/wiper, VisibilityODI 11744720

Power train

8 reports
“As reported by others, Engine Malfunction light came on. Car running rough. Mazda dealer says corroded wiring harness and $5k to replace. They bypass the conventional repair and splice it in. Within a hour of driving after pick up, same engine malfunction light and rough running returns. This time they said I need a new transmission. Electrical issues and faulty transmission are both dangerous. With as much posted online regarding the transmission, I would hope to find a recall. $10k in repairs for a barely 4 yr old car!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11644437

Vehicle speed control

8 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2021 Mazda CX-30. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was slightly depressed; however, the vehicle speed increased significantly independently. The contact stated that the failure occurred as the contact arrived at the contact's residence and was attempting to park the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed; however the vehicle failed to stop, and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the vehicle crashed into the contact’s apartment building. The contact stated that the building siding and steps were damaged due to the failure. The contact was not injured; however the failure had caused serious anxiety issues for the contact. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer two times prior to the failure because, when attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was informed that the vehicle's not starting was the result of a faulty battery, and the battery was replaced. In addition, the contact stated that the independent acceleration failure had occurred…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2025Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 11680382
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

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