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1992 Mazda MX3Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 45 owner complaints about the 1992 Mazda MX3, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-674 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 1%Owner complaints452 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage117kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 7, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1992 Mazda MX3 has problems

45 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts311
Suspension60
Electrical system50
Steering10
Structure10
Vehicle speed control10
Engine and engine cooling10
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1992 Mazda MX3 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

1%repaired · 2017 Q1

Ignition: switch

Recall 15V-674 · Oct 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles · 8,332 repaired

Risk. If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.

Best & worst years

1992 vs. every other MX3 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MX3 median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1992 Mazda MX3, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILEA94039 · closed Nov 26, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-211
  2. ALTERNATOR FIRESPE94075 · closed Dec 21, 1994
    No recall
  3. FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURERQ98001 · closed Nov 16, 1998
    Led to recall 97V-116
In owners' words

What MX3 owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

Automatic seatbelt is stuck in the middle position and cannot secure you in the event of an accident. Vehicle was taken in for an open recall but no work was performed due to lack of parts. They then closed the recall not allowing me to take it back for any repairs if parts become available. I…
Complaint 11472751 · Jul 7, 2022
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED CONTINUOUSLY. THE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE FAILURE OCCURRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS…
Complaint 10414636 · Jul 22, 2011 · 168,000 miles
TL* CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MAZDA MX3. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT EXTRACT THE WEBBING PROPERLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT A PRIOR RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER OF 1998. THE NHTSA…
Complaint 10320085 · Mar 16, 2010 · 120,000 miles

Own a 1992 MX3?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.