2016 Mazda CX-3: common problems and reliability
One of the worst CX-3 years.
One of the Mazda CX-3 years to avoid. All CX-3 years
48 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 CX-3?The 2016 Mazda CX-3 has 48 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and exterior lighting.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Mazda CX-3 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other CX-3 years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the CX-3?
Across the 6 CX-3 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2020) to 48 (2016). With 48 complaints, the 2016 CX-3 sits above the model's median of 21.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 CX-3
structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
Campaign 16V644000Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
steering
Campaign 16V203000Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 2, 2015, 2013-2014 Mazda2 vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to August 8, 2014, 2014-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured January 19, 2013, to December 2, 2015, and 2013-2015 CX-9 vehicles manufactured December 6, 2012, to July 31, 2015. The lower mounting nuts and bolts that attach the front strut assembly to the steering knuckle may loosen, allowing the steering knuckle to separate.
back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Campaign 23V487000Mazda 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide.
Owner insights cover all generations of the CX-3. See the full CX-3 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used CX-3 listings typically run $13,774–$17,099 across 2016 to 2021 model years.
Other CX-3 model years
Compare every CX-3 year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the CX-3 against its rivals
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