1995 Mazda MX-3 recalls & problems

The 1995 Mazda MX-3 has 1 safety recall and 10 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (5 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints10filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs

NHTSA recall 97V116000 · Jul 22, 1997 · 25,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WASHINGTON, DC. IN AREAS WHERE LARGE QUANTITIES OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, CORROSIVE PITS CAN DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING. REPEATED USE CAN EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE COIL SPRING TO BREAK AND A TIRE COULD BE PUNCTURED FROM CONTACT WITH THE BROKEN COIL SPRING.

Risk: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A GUARD ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL PREVENT THE BROKEN COIL SPRING FROM CONTACTING THE TIRE. IN ADDITION TO PERFORMING THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, MAZDA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FOR THE LIFT OF THE VEHICLE. IF OWNERS HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THESE FRONT COIL SPRINGS, DUE TO ROAD SALT DAMAGE, MAZDA WILL REIMBURSE THESE OWNERS FOR REASONABLE EXPENSES.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

MX-3

28mpg combined

City / highway	25 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel

MX-3

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

MX-3

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

MX-3

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.9 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal	5	5	3	—
Suspension Front; Front › Springs › Coil springs	3	1	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components	1	0	0	—
Equipment Appliance › Air conditioner	1	0	0	—
Structure Body	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Jun 1, 2006 · 130,000 milesSuspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MAZDA MX-3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. HE REMOVED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING HAD FAILED. HIS VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL # 97V116000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE HE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 145,222 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Jan 25, 1996Suspension
CONSUMER HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY EXPRIENCING SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. REPLACED TIRE EVERY 3000 MILES. DEALER NOTIFIED, BUT MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ALLOW DEALER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR UNKNOWN REASON. *AK
Sep 1, 1996Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
Nov 1, 1996 · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS DURING HEAD ON COLLISION WITH UTILITY POLE.
Nov 19, 1996 · crashAir bags › Frontal
AT STOP LIGHT, PROCEEDED FORWARD, TRUCK MAKING RIGHT TURN, APPLIED BRAKES, VEHICLE SLID INTO TRUCK, PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT; TRUCK LEFT SCENE OF ACCIDENT. *AK
Nov 26, 1996 · crashSuspension › Front
DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 25MPH, MAKING A RIGHT, VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL DUE FAULTY SUSPENSION, IMPACT 12:00, AND FLIPPED OVER. *AK
Aug 9, 1996 · crashAir bags › Frontal
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGD DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT. *AK
Jan 11, 1996 · crashAir bags › Frontal
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVERS DID NOT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

RQ98001 · opened Mar 3, 1998 · closed Nov 16, 1998 · led to recall 97V116000FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE
There is no summary currently available