Engine & forward collision issues are among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
Is the windshield in your vehicle blurry, distorted, or defective? You may be eligible to join our Mazda CX-30 windshield class action investigation.
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 is only the second model year for this car. But, it’s not entirely new because it is based on the fourth-generation Mazda3.
After the launch of the first Mazda CX-30 in 2020, Lemberg Law assessed complaints to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We found that powertrain and fuel system issues were among the top complaints. Electrical system and service brake problems were also common.
More recently, we launched a class action investigation that relates to oil consumption issues with the 2021 Mazda CX-30.
We also note that unexplained low engine oil is one of the top complaints CX-30 owners make to NHTSA. And it is a problem we will deal with in more detail in this article.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2020 2022 2023
Of the 12 consumer complaints with NHTSA so far, engine problems top the list with 4 complaints. Electrical system problems remain high on the list too. These, and forward-collision avoidance problems, are each discussed in 3 complaints. But they are duplicated elsewhere.
There are 2 visibility/wiper complaints. Steering and vehicle speed control problems also feature in 2 complaints each. The 12th complaint is that a new vehicle was sold with an open safety recall that wasn’t disclosed to the buyer.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Power Train | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Fuel/propulsion System |
Battery, network, and engine oil issues feature within the Engine complaint category.
In-vehicle network malfunctions in one CX-30 led to auto light and power steering malfunctions. The owner was alerted in a warning message to have the vehicle inspected. The car wouldn’t start and had to be towed to the dealership.
Warning lights and a failure to start were also the issues for another complaint. The battery was replaced by the dealer. This was after an unauthorized tow company took the vehicle to the dealer’s lot where it was stolen – and later found!
Two complaints relate to oil consumption issues. They both express concern about possible engine damage.
One of the complainants was told there is a technical service bulletin (TSB) covering the issue. But the problem is, “It appears at this time (that) Mazda is unable to determine the root cause.” This CX-30 owner was told “to take the vehicle to the dealer every time I have this experience. I am worried about the potential impact and lifespan of the engine.”
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There are 3 forward-collision avoidance problems on file with NHTSA. Of these, 2 relate to unexpected, automatic braking that nearly caused accidents. While there are no explanations, one of the CX-30 owners says there were a couple of black flies on a sensor. Could this have been the cause?
One of the forward-collision avoidance problems seems to relate to the electrical system. While driving at only 8 mph, the brake assist warning light went on, and the car spontaneously braked when there was nothing in front to avoid.
Both the complaints that relate to visibility/wiper problems relate directly to the windshield. In both cases, the glass is warped and impairs visibility.
One of the complaints reports that it is a well-known issue on several Mazda forums. Learn more about reports regarding distorted windshield problems in the 2021 Mazda CX-30.
When a manufacturer admits they cannot identify the root cause of a problem, this is cause for concern. Apart from anything else, if they can’t fix it, the problem may recur many times.
A lemon, by definition, has persistent defects that substantially impair the safety, use, and value of cars and other items. So, if your car cannot be repaired, there’s a good chance you’ve bought a lemon.
In that situation, it’s a good move to let experts take over and negotiate a settlement of some sort for you.
Lemberg Law specializes in lemon law and helps to solve your lemon problems at no cost to you. Options we negotiate include replacement cars, buybacks, trade-ins, and cash settlements. It depends on the car and circumstances. But the good news for you is that the law insists Mazda must pay legal fees for lemon cases.
So, call our Helpline and we’ll see how we can help.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 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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Todays cars have soy based insulation which taste good to mice and rats… the wacko enviromentalists feel good about it while you shell out thousands for wire damage.
Our 2015 mica blue iTouring Mazda 3 has 75,000 miles and is a beauty. Two months ago, the battery failed and was recharged by Mazda. Then we had no audio. Took to dealer, said a reboot fixed the problem. We knew before we left the dealer that the problem still existed. The car needs a new CMU, projected to be available in August! We have no sound. No Bluetooth, no GPS audio and only stored locations. No music.. no radio, no Pandora. Safety issues re no Bluetooth or GPS audio. Not comfortable driving car. We have 9-year bumper to bumper warranty, until November 2023. Trade-in value will be lowered by no CMU. We would prefer to keep car but not without CMU. Nice to have no car payments (other than on our lease CX-30). What options do we have?!?
I too have harness damage that I have been waiting to be fixed since Thanksgiving. Mine was chewed on by a rat. My automatic wipers go on when it’s not raining and many times don’t go on when it does. My gas cap door does not want to open…with many pushes I give up and minutes later it opens. I think my warning sensors seem screwy…they go off at random times and scare the heck out of me. My 1st new car and I can’t say that I am a happy customer!
My car bumper and wiring has been eaten by squirrels twice with a nice big nest to boot. I have wire and harness damage after owning the car for only a month. No other car on my street has had an issue. I heard my 2021 CX30 was made in Mexico. Thought Mazda was made in Japan. I’m told the CX5 is made in Japan?
I also read Mazda uses bio plastics made of 88% corn and 12% petroleum. Could this be the reason?