Selling a broken or damaged Mazda CX-3
One recall reaches every US model year of the Mazda CX-3. Campaign 23V487000 covers 2016 through 2021 for a rearview camera image that can flicker or distort. Backup camera complaints, which NHTSA files as "back over prevention," make up 8 of the 111 complaints owners have filed.
- US model years (EPA)
- 2016-2021
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 111
- Year with the most complaints
- 2016 (48)
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- Component named most
- Electrical system (21)
- Successor in the US
- Mazda CX-30
The CX-3 left the US market after 2021, so the newest is about five years old. If yours has electrical trouble, a fuel problem or crash damage that's not worth fixing, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.
The CX-3's short US run
Wikipedia calls the CX-3 a subcompact crossover related to the Mazda2. It was built in Hiroshima and Hofu, Japan, with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G four and a 6-speed automatic or manual. EPA, which classes it with compact cars, lists 2WD and 4WD versions from 2016 to 2021. Wikipedia says the US run ended with the 2021 model year and that the CX-30, introduced in 2020, effectively replaced it.
2016: launch year, most complaints
The 2016 has 48 complaints, more than any other year. The electrical system leads with 10, then "unknown or other" and exterior lighting with 6 each. It also carries three recalls:
- 16V203000: on CX-3s built June 1 to December 2, 2015, the lower nuts and bolts holding the front strut to the steering knuckle need inspection. The 578-vehicle campaign also covers Mazda2 and CX-5 models.
- 16V644000: dealers replace both liftgate supports. The recall started in April 2017, before parts were ready. Most of its 580,455 vehicles are other Mazdas, like the Mazda3 and Mazda5.
- 23V487000, the camera recall.
2017-2018: fuel and propulsion
The 2017 has 21 complaints, and 7 of them name the fuel and propulsion system, the largest group that year. The 2018 has 10, spread across electrical, engine and backup camera at 2 each.
2019: the fuel pump recall
The 2019 has 27 complaints, led by electrical (7) and steering (4). Recall 21V875000 covers its low-pressure fuel pump, whose impeller can crack and deform. Dealers replace the pump free of charge, and owner letters went out July 18, 2022. The 121,038-vehicle campaign spans seven Mazda lines, from the Mazda2 to the CX-9, so that count is far from all CX-3s.
2020-2021: barely any records yet
One complaint on the 2020 (air bags) and 4 on the 2021 (3 steering, 1 brakes). Both years are in the camera recall.
CX-3 owner complaints and recall campaigns
Numbers are NHTSA complaints as of our October 10, 2026 check. The latest CX-3 years are newer, so fewer reports have come in. A recall reaching across several years is counted under each.
| Model year | Complaints | Crash reports | Injured | Recall campaigns | Leading component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 48 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Electrical system (10) |
| 2017 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system (7) |
| 2018 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Three-way tie (2 each) |
| 2019 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Electrical system (7) |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Air bags (1) |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Steering (3) |
Across all years, owners reported 10 tows, no fires and no deaths.
Worth repairing?
- Start with recalls. Type your CX-3's VIN into NHTSA. The camera and fuel pump work is free at a Mazda dealer, and open recall explains selling with work still undone.
- Electrical gremlins? Since that is the top complaint area, our electrical problems guide helps you weigh a diagnosis against selling.
- Warning light on? See check engine light.
- Crash damage? If the insurer has paid out, read insurer totaled it.
Selling a CX-3 whole
- Collect the VIN, the miles and a short list of what's wrong.
- Get an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
- Give us the location of the CX-3 and whether it rolls and steers.
- Don't remove parts first; the camera, the wheels and the battery all stay.
- At pickup, sign the title over, or tell us about any loan first. See after you sell for plates and insurance.
Related Mazdas: the Mazda2, the Mazda3, the CX-5 and every Mazda we cover.
Questions people ask
- Which CX-3 years are in the rearview camera recall?
- All of them sold in the US, 2016 through 2021. Recall 23V487000 covers a camera image that can flicker or distort. Dealers inspect and replace the camera as needed and add a wiring harness seal. The 236,100-vehicle count includes 2014-2018 Mazda3 models.
- Why do the 2020 and 2021 CX-3 have so few complaints?
- As of October 10, 2026, the 2020 shows 1 complaint and the 2021 shows 4. Recent cars haven't been driven as long, so a low number doesn't say much about them.
- What replaced the CX-3?
- Wikipedia says the CX-3 was discontinued in the United States for 2022, making 2021 its final model year, and that it was effectively replaced by the CX-30, introduced in 2020.
- Will you buy a CX-3 that won't start?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Mention if the CX-3 shifts into Neutral, which helps us load it.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- EPA fuel economy data: Mazda CX-3 model years, class and name variants fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 16V203000: front strut mounting bolts, 2016 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 16V644000: liftgate supports, 2016 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 21V875000: low-pressure fuel pump, 2019 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 23V487000: rearview camera, 2016-2021 nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: Mazda CX-3 (assembly, engines, US discontinuation) en.wikipedia.org