Owners filed 19 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front › springs › coil springs. It has been recalled 1 time.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
7
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
4
4
0
2
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
1
0
0
0
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
1
0
0
0
Suspension
1
0
0
0
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly
1
1
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
1
1
0
1
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
1
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
1
0
0
0
Air Bags
1
1
0
1
1 safety recall
Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs97V116000
Filed Jul 22, 199725,000 vehiclesMazda (north America),inc
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.
Risk. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Suspension
Filed Feb 7, 2013140,000 milesKY
TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER PARKING IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, SHE HEARD A LOUD POP. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE REALIZED THAT THE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V116000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. MAH
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Dec 13, 200778,200 milesAK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA MX-3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. THE ROTATION OF THE COIL SPRING PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE TIRE MUST BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V116000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL OR ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE CONTACT IS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,200.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Dec 6, 200763,000 milesVA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA MX-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT COIL SPRINGS FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CD AXLES ON BOTH SIDES TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE AREA WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED WAS NOT AFFECTED. THE CD AXLES WERE REPLACED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 63,000.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed May 26, 200697,000 milesFL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO A PUNCTURE FROM A FRACTURED COIL SPRING. THERE IS A RECALL, # 97V116000 FOR THE COIL SPRING ON THE CONTACTS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. HOWEVER THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN SALT STATES. THE CONTACT USE TO LIVE IN NEBRASKA AND COMMUTED TO A SALT STATE, IOWA, AND NOW LIVES IN FLORIDA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE THE RECALL LETTER AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP DENIED THE RECALL REMEDY WITHOUT THE RECALL LETTER. UPDATED 12/15/06. *JB
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 7, 200694,800 milesIL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 97V116000, REGARDING THE SUSPENSION FRONT SPRINGS COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Nov 30, 2004114,000 milesMA
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 10 MPH OR LESS CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS FLAT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE REPAIR SHOP NOTIFIED A LOCAL MAZDA DEALER.*AK
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Nov 28, 2004114,000 milesMA
EITHER DEC 2000 OR JAN 2001 MY MAZDA MX-3 HAD A FRONT COIL SPRING BREAK. MY MECHANIC CONTACTED MAZDA DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE AND SHOWED THE COIL TO HIM. MY MECHANIC FELT THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THE DISTRICT REP SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MAZDA COULD DO. I CONTACTED MAZDA MYSELF AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. THEN A FEW MONTHS LATER, I FOUND YOUR WEBSITE AND CONVEYED THE INFORMATION FOUND TO MAZDA AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE MX-3 ONLY THE MX-6. THEY SAID YOUR WEBSITE WAS INCORRECT. TODAY MY SECOND COIL SPRING DID BREAK AND THIS TIME IT POPPED MY TIRE INSTANTLY. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO HAWLEY'S GARAGE IN EAST LONGMEADOW, MA WHERE THE FIRST COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. UPON BEING TOWED MORE DAMAGED TO MY CAR WAS INSTILLED TO WHAT EXTENT THE DAMAGE IS, IS NOT KNOWN TILL THE MECHANIC CHECKS THIS OUT. I FEEL THAT ALL OF THIS SHOULD AND COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF MAZDA HAD JUST DONE THE RIGHT THING A FEW YEARS BACK AND FIXED AND PREVENTED THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. MY MECHANIC DID FIX THE FIRST COIL SPRING BACK WHEN IT WAS BROKEN AND I WILL HAVE HIM REPLACE THIS ONE ALSO. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE BUT I WILL BE SURE TO KEEP THIS ONE.*AK
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Mar 15, 200335 milesWV
THE LEFT FRONT (DRIVER'S SIDE) COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. THE TIRE AND RIM WERE DAMAGED, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON HIGHWAY. *NLM
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Feb 2, 2000TX
WHILE ROLLING WINDOW DOWN WOULD HAVE TO PULL WINDOW UP BY HAND. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFOMATON. *AK
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch
Filed Oct 29, 1999FL
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HOOD UNLATCHED, AND BLOCK EDTHE DRIVER'S VIEW. PUT EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON AND PULLED OVER. HOOD SMASHED THE WINDSHIELD. DIDN'T CONTACT DEALER, BUT CONTACRF INSURANCE CO. *AK
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Jun 20, 1999CA
WHEN LEVEL IN FUEL TANK IS LOW, RPMS HIGH, AND GOING AROUND CORNER, ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER MOMENTARILY. *AK
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
Filed Apr 3, 1999MN
WHEN VEHICLE STARTED OFF, A LOUD "CLUNK" NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LEFT FRONT END HAD COLLAPSED. DROVE TO MIDAS DEALER & HALF WAY TO DEALER THE TIRE BLEW. AT MIDAS, MECHANIC NOTICED CRACKED IN COIL SPRINGS. THAT CAUSED THE BREAK IN THE WHEEL WELL.
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 28, 1999FL
WAS TRAVELING IN 1ST GEAR AT APPROXIMATELY 10MPH WHEN VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED SHORT. HAD APPLIED BRAKES LIGHTLY BUT QUICKLY, AND TAPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW BROKE DUE TO METAL PIECE ON COVER OF AIR BAG. *AK
Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 3, 1998VA
DURING A VEHICLE COLLISION THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG, RESULTING IN INJURIES .
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 24, 1997WI
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Feb 3, 1997NY
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 25 MPH REAR END CRASH IN WHICH THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. PLEASE GIVE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 26, 1996MO
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 12:00 POSITION, SPEED 25MPH, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING BURNS TO FACE. *AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation ComponentsCrash1 injured
Filed May 18, 1995TX
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, CAR FISHTALED, SPUN INTO THE WALL ON FREEWAY, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK
Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod AssemblyCrash
Filed Jan 12, 1995MD
TIE ROD END BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO LOCK UP/LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT. *SKD
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 22, 1997. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.