2016 Mazda Cx-3 Safety Report
2016 MAZDA CX-3 Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Mazda Cx-3
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Mazda Cx-3. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (47) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Exterior Lighting | Compare exterior lighting issues across vehicles. |
2016 Mazda Cx-3 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Mazda Cx-3, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Exterior Lighting
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Mazda onlyElectrical System
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Mazda onlyBack Over Prevention
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Mazda onlyUnknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Mazda onlyVisibility/Wiper
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Mazda onlyFuel/Propulsion System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Mazda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Mazda Cx-3
Reliability Score
The 2016 Mazda Cx-3 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Mazda Cx-3
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Mazda Cx-3
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Mazda Cx-3:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting Moisture in headlights has caused diffused, dimmed visibility at night, posing a safety risk. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Fuel remaining on the vehicle was posted at 1/4, approx. 75 miles remaining, but the vehicle abruptly stopped. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention System The rear view camera and speedometer have been recalled due to sensing system issues. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Infotainment System The infotainment center has been reported to malfunction, causing the screen to go berserk and not accept touch commands properly. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Mazda Cx-3:
Issues with moisture in headlights have been reported, affecting visibility at night.
Fuel warnings have been reported, leading to unexpected low fuel situations.
Recalled due to sensing system issues, affecting the rear view camera and speedometer.
Malfunctioning infotainment center has been reported, causing frustration and safety concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Mazda Cx-3
Has the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 have?
The 2016 MAZDA CX-3 has 47 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
The 2016 MAZDA CX-3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 involve exterior lighting (6 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), back over prevention (5 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, visibility/wiper, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 out of 47 total complaints (8.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 MAZDA CX-3.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 MAZDA CX-3. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 is generally recommended. It has 47 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (6 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6 complaints), 3. BACK OVER PREVENTION (5 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5 complaints), 5. VISIBILITY/WIPER (3 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
Be cautious of exterior lighting issues and fuel system malfunctions. Ensure the back over prevention system and infotainment system are functioning properly before driving. The 2016 MAZDA CX-3 has 47 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
The 2016 MAZDA CX-3 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 47 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Exterior Lighting and Fuel System.
What are the known issues with the 2016 MAZDA CX-3?
Known issues with the 2016 MAZDA CX-3 include: Exterior Lighting, Fuel System, Back Over Prevention System, Infotainment System. These are based on patterns found across 47 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What issues have been reported with the exterior lighting?
Moisture in the headlights has caused diffused, dimmed visibility at night, which is dangerous.
What is the issue with the back over prevention system?
The rear view camera and speedometer have been recalled due to sensing system issues.
What problems have been reported with the infotainment system?
The infotainment center has been reported to malfunction, causing the screen to go berserk and not accept touch commands properly.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of exterior lighting issues and fuel system malfunctions. Ensure the back over prevention system and infotainment system are functioning properly before driving.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Mazda Cx-3
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Mazda Cx-3. The data includes 47 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Mazda Cx-3 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16