Mazda MX-3 recalls

8 official safety recalls for the Mazda MX-3 from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. On-board charger error may prevent driving

    Reported May 30, 2023Model years 2022–2023DVSA recall R/2023/1591,060 vehicles affected

    An on-board charger error may make the vehicle wrongly detect that a charging cable is connected, preventing it from being driven. The charger software will be reprogrammed.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    Affected vehicles cannot be driven due to an error within the on-board charger which causes the vehicle to wrongly detect it is connected to an EV charge cable.
    Defect
    Affected vehicles cannot be driven due to an error within the on-board charger which causes the vehicle to wrongly detect it is connected to an EV charge cable.
    Remedy
    Reprogram the software of the on-board charger.

  2. Passenger airbag may split at the seam

    Reported April 27, 2021Model years 2020DVSA recall R/2021/15429 vehicles affected

    The front passenger airbag may split at the seam and fail to deploy correctly in a collision. It will be replaced with an improved version.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    THE FRONT PASSENGER MAIN FRONTAL AIR BAG COULD SPLIT AT THE SEAM AND MAY NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY WHEN ACTIVATED IN A COLLISION
    Defect
    The front passenger main frontal airbag could split at the seam and may not deploy correctly when the airbag is activated in a collision.
    Remedy
    Replace the airbag with an improved version

  3. Hill assist defect may cause sudden movement

    Reported February 15, 2021EU Safety Gate A12/00247/21

    After crossing from a slippery to a high-grip surface and braking, the vehicle may move off suddenly when the brake is released. Stop lamps may also illuminate in reverse without the brake pedal being pressed. The product is recalled from end users.

    Official EU Safety Gate text
    Component
    Injuries
    Defect
    Due to a defect in the Motor Hill Assist (MHA), when the vehicle is crossing from the slippery road surface (i.e. icy condition)to a high friction surface and the driver applies the brake immediately, it is possible that the vehicle may take off suddenly after the brake is released, increasing the risk of an accident.Furthermore, the stop lamps may illuminate when driving reverse even though the brake pedal is not depressed, due too inappropriate lighting control logic in the powertrain control module.
    Remedy
    Recall of the product from end users
    Notes
    Notified by Romania

  4. Ignition switch may overheat and catch fire

    Reported September 30, 2016DVSA recall R/2016/210504,372 vehicles affected

    Carbonised grease may build up between ignition switch contacts, reducing insulation. The switch may heat up, produce smoke and, in the worst case, cause a fire. The ignition switch will be replaced.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    FIRE MAY OCCUR
    Defect
    Carbonised grease may accumulate between the contact points in the ignition switch reducing the insulation performance inside the switch. In this condition the switch may generate heat resulting in smoke and in the worst case a fire.
    Remedy
    On affected vehicles replace the ignition switch.

  5. Ignition switch may overheat

    Reported October 19, 2015Model years 1992–1993NHTSA campaign 15V6740001,368,500 vehicles affected

    Grease on the ignition switch contacts may become conductive and overheat, increasing fire risk. Dealers will replace the ignition switch free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
    Defect
    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
    Consequence
    If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
    Remedy
    Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  6. Seat belt cable may jam in rail

    Reported November 18, 1997Model years 1992–1993NHTSA campaign 97V211000134,000 vehicles affected

    Wear in the automatic shoulder belt rail may jam the buckle retraction cable, leaving the belt inoperative and an occupant improperly restrained in a crash. Dealers will replace faulty assemblies and inspect and replace rails that exceed the criteria.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
    Consequence
    A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE INSPECTION CRITERIA.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 1998 AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  7. Front suspension coil spring may break

    Reported October 22, 1997Model years 1991–1995DVSA recall R/1997/0548,525 vehicles affected

    A front suspension coil spring may break, and an unseated section could puncture a tyre. A protector will be installed to prevent a broken spring from penetrating the tyre.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    FRACTURE OF FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING
    Defect
    There is a possibility that the front suspension coil spring could break. Should this occur the unseated section of the spring could puncture the tyre.
    Remedy
    Affected vehicles are being recalled for the installation of a protector which would prevent a broken coil spring from penetrating the tyre.

  8. Front coil spring may break and puncture tire

    Reported July 22, 1997Model years 1992–1995NHTSA campaign 97V11600025,000 vehicles affected

    Corrosion can cause a front coil spring to break, and the broken spring could puncture a tire, increasing crash risk. Dealers will install a guard to keep a broken spring from contacting the tire. Coverage for the front coil springs is also extended for the life of the vehicle.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    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.
    Notes
    NOTES:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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