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No one expects subcompact crossovers to have a lot of room. In fact, part of the charm is the sporty feel that the SUVs, such as the 2018 Mazda CX-3 provide. The automaker claims that the newest lineup allows users to “create your escape,” but most owners are simply looking for the out to switch models. In addition to a lack of space, this Mazda SUV features a malfunctioning electrical system, defective vehicle speed control and shoddy wheels.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 Mazda CX-3
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Engine | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Suspension | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | |
| Wheels | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Vehicle Speed Control |
Problems with the Electrical System
The heart of the electrical system is the battery and the alternator, but it runs far deeper than just that. When something breaks in the electrical system, owners face problems with the air conditioning, radio and more.
That’s what this Cars.com reviewer discusses. “I’ve had so many things go wrong with this car. Very disappointing.Poor quality. Air conditioning stopped working. Infotainment system continually restarts in even 1 degree weather. Persistent noise from front end.Shoddy trim. Will likely sell and go back to my trusted Subaru Forester.”
Considering the company has issued more than 60 electrical system bulletins, it’s clear that Mazda doesn’t know what it’s doing. One such example is Service Bulletin #SA-006-19, which talks about certain troubles with the MAZDA CONNECT system. Customers experience random reboots or a blank screen. To figure out the cause, technicians must work through a flow chart. That’s right; there are so many potential causes that Mazda created a flow chart. Instead of creating an “escape” as promised, the manufacturer spent it’s time producing flow charts related to problems because there are too many to count.
Problems with the Vehicle Speed Control
When the gas pedal is pressed, the vehicle should move. On the other hand, letting off the gas and pressing the brake, should stop a vehicle. These are basics that Mazda can’t seem to get right.
One NHTSA complaint states, “I was in a parking ramp, I rounded the corner going up and was pulling into a parking spot, my foot was on the brake and the car accelerated. I lurched forward into a wall of the ramp. It wasn’t raining so pavement and ramp were not wet. The dealer has looked at the car, said they saw brake and gas pedal active at the same time. They said nothing was wrong with the car.”
Despite the long list of electrical-related bulletins, Mazda chose to remain silent on the vehicle speed control issues. Obviously, these can be more deadly than whether or not the radio is working, so it makes sense why the manufacturer wouldn’t want to say anything. Still, owners are struggling to keep this crossover under control, putting them in further risk of injury. When they set out to create an escape, it isn’t through an accident that they hope to get away.
Problems with the Wheels
New cars should be equipped with durable and reliable wheels, as well as other equipment. But that’s not the case with the Mazda CX-3 either.
Just look at what this NHTSA user had to say. “I was sold a vehicle with ‘new’ tires. I’ve only had the vehicle about 6 months and found out the tires were made in 2011 and started to deteriorate so I had to buy actual new tires. I did not have an accident but feel there could have been a tire blowout. Luckily, I had run over a bolt and was trying to get a tire repair when the tire place told me about the bad condition of all four tires. The dealership first did not believe me but when I showed them a picture, they said they can sell tires up to 8 years old as new if they were not previously on a vehicle. I don’t know if that is true but if the tires were starting to dry rot it seems like a bad idea and certainly unethical if not illegal.”
No new car manufacturer should be putting tires this old on a vehicle. It’s a disaster waiting to happen, and a situation that no car owner should have to deal with. Sadly, this isn’t the only concern with the Mazda CX-3. In fact, Service Bulletin #SA-016-19 also discusses warranty claims with a noisy transmission, transfer unit or differentials that actually turn out to be a defective wheel bearing. This problem can lead to popping and grinding sounds as well. Plus, driving with a bad wheel bearing causes vibration and trouble steering, further putting drivers at risk. At this point, most owners do want an “escape,” but it’s from the CX-3. They hope to ditch this lemon and get into something that is actually made the way it should be.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Mazda pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Engine, Service Brakes, Suspension |
| Date | Jan 31, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The contact owns a 2018 mazda cx-3. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was moving from left to right. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal scraping sound. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Dec 16, 2021 |
| State | IN |
| Description | Was driving my grandchildren home when an alarm that I had never heard before started sounding and brake! Showed up on the heads up display. The car came to a stop out in the middle of the street even though there was nothing in front of or around the vehicle. It was a good thing there was not a car behind me or they would have rear-ended my vehicle and we or the people in the car that hit us could have gotten seriously hurt. I took the car to the dealer and they did a diagnostics check and said no codes came up so there was nothing wrong with the car. They actually told me that when and if it happens again to videotape it for proof. |
| Category | Electrical System, Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection |
| Date | Feb 24, 2021 |
| State | WA |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2018 mazda cx-3. The contact stated while driving 52 mph, the blind spot detection warning indicator was not working. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to olympia mazda (2201 carriage southwest olympia, wa 98502) where the failure was diagnosed as a blind spot monitoring system failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under manufacturer communications number: tsb:15-004-18-3539. The contact was upset that the tsb was not a recall. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 22,440. |
| Category | Wheels |
| Date | Dec 20, 2019 |
| State | NC |
| Description | I was sold a vehicle with "new" tires. I've only had the vehicle about 6 months and found out the tires were made in 2011 and starting to deteriorate so I had to buy actual new tires. I did not have an accident but feel there could have been a tire blowout. Luckily I had run over a bolt and was trying to get a tire repair when the tire place told me about the bad condition of all four tires. The dealership first did not believe me but when I showed them a picture they said they can sell tires up to 8 years old as new if they were not previously on a vehicle. I don't know if that is true but if the tires were starting to dry rot it seems like a bad idea and certainly unethical if not illegal. |
| Category | Electrical System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Sep 02, 2018 |
| State | OR |
| Description | While I was parking my car and braking the throttle opened wide and I jumped the curb. I reapplied the brakes hard and the car came to a stop after skidding 4 feet. (tire marks measured). I had the car towed to the dealer where they could find nothing wrong. In researching this problem it appears the electronic throttle system can at rare times have voltage problems that can cause this. My dealer could not replicate this but it has been done in a study by the korean national forensic service. Since all new cars have the same electronic throttle systems I am unable to buy a car that won't be vulnerable to this. I am currently still driving my car with. My hand on the gear handle to put the car in neutral if it happens again. As soon as auto makers admit that sudden unintended acceleration is caused by electrical problems with their cars I will buy a new car from the company who fixes this problem. In my research of this problem I found many other people with new cars all brands that this has happened too. I believe that human err could at times be a contributor to the problem but in my case I know my foot was on the brake when this happened. I love my new car and would not complain otherwise. Please look at dr. Ronald l. Belts research into this problem and his conclusions. Thank you |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Aug 31, 2018 |
| State | MN |
| Description | I was in a parking ramp, I rounded the corner going up and was pulling into a parking spot, my foot was on the break, and the car accelerated. I lurched forward into a wall of the ramp. It wasn't raining so pavement and ramp were not wet. The dealer has looked at the car, said they saw break and gas pedal active at the same time. They said nothing was wrong with the car. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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