RoadVitals

1992 Mazda MX3 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Jul 7, 2022
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Apr 4, 1995

What this page shows

Our database holds 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Mazda MX3. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 45 · page 1 of 2

Seat belts
Filed Jul 7, 2022

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 thought they disabled the motor but as I got in one day the seatbelt moved and cannot be retracted anymore.

NHTSA ID
11472751
Incident
Apr 19, 2022
Body & structure
Filed May 25, 2018

CAR HAS A INTERIOR FRAME METAL PROBLEM INSIDE THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR ITS WELDS,ARE COMING APART SHEET METAL,WHEEL WELLS CORE SUPPORT,FRONT BUMPER,FLOOR REAR SPARE TIRE,SHEETMETAL,THE RUST PROOFING WAS NOT ENOUGH ON CAR,OR THEY FORGOT TO ZINC COAT THE INSIDE+OUTSIDE OF THE CAR METAL FRAME(BODY)

NHTSA ID
11097878
Incident
Nov 12, 2008
Mileage
125,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1992 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE SPARKS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE TO BE SALVAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10888982
Incident
Jan 27, 1998
Mileage
170,000 mi
Seat beltsSuspension
Filed Jul 22, 2011

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 WERE INOPERABLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE FOR BOTH FAILURES (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 97V116000 - SUSPENSION: FRONT: SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS AND 97V211000- SEAT BELTS: FRONT: WEBBING) YET THE PARTS WOULD NEED TO BE ORDERED IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER BUT WAS NEVER REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A RETURN CALL BUT NEVER DID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

NHTSA ID
10414636
Incident
Jul 22, 2008
Mileage
168,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Mar 16, 2010

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 CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 97V211000 (SEAT BELTS: FRONT: WEBBING). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,500.

NHTSA ID
10320085
Incident
Mar 9, 2010
Mileage
120,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 6, 2009

1992 TO 1993 MAZDA MX-3 AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RECALL MAZDA DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IN SPITE OF THE DOCUMENTATION THAT WAS PROVIDED. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NHTSA ORDERED THE RECALL AND NOT MAZDA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10291250
Incident
Nov 6, 2009
Mileage
205,658 mi
Suspension
Filed May 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE MOVED UNCONTROLLABLY. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT COILS SPRINGS FAILED. THE MAZDA DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 97V116000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS). THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10227855
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 13, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LOST FIRST AND SECOND GEARS, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED TO 30 MPH AND LOST THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS. IT WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10155312
Incident
Mar 25, 2006
Mileage
180,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 1, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED RECALL 97V211000 FOR THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WAS ISSUED. A WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT FASTENED. WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT WILL NOT LOCK TO KEEP THE OCCUPANT FROM MOVING FORWARD. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED THE DEALER WANTED HIM TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THE RECALL COMPONENT WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE COMPONENT THAT FAILED ON VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10141402
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
113,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 27, 2004

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK AND IS UNABLE TO RETRACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE CABLE WAS TWISTED INSIDE OF THE HOUSING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10074396
Incident
May 24, 2004
Mileage
92 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 23, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BOTH FRONTAL UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10071473
Incident
Apr 23, 2004
Electrical
Filed Sep 29, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. NO SPARKS WERE COMING FROM THE DISTRIBUTOR TO THE PLUGS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10041896
Mileage
83,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 7, 2003

SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 97V211000 IS RECURRING WITH SAME SYMPTOMS OF SEAT BELT NOT RETRACTING WHEN DOOR IS OPENED TO EXIT VEHICLE. IS THE CAUSE NOW THE SAME AS IT WAS WHEN FIRST REPAIRED AND IF SO, DOES THE SAME RECALL APPLY AS IT SEEMS THE CAUSE REMAINS A DEFECT? *JB

NHTSA ID
10021184
Incident
Jun 5, 2003
Mileage
53,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 20, 2002

PASSENGER'S FRONT SEATBELT BUCKLE DOES NOT BUCKLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY COULD NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012233
Incident
Jun 18, 2002
Seat beltsSuspension
Filed Feb 12, 2002

I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO NORTHPARK MAZDA/ISUZU AND THE GUY AT THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY WOULDN'T DO IT BECAUSE MY RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED. HOWEVER IF THAT IS TRUE THEN WHOMEVER DID IT BEFORE PUT DEFECTIVE PARTS ON IT BECAUSE THEY ARE MESSING UP TO THIS DATE. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH BOTH AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS AND BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS.

NHTSA ID
758148
Seat belts
Filed Feb 6, 2002

AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT AROUND THE DRIVER. BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTEN.ED. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003686
Seat belts
Filed Jul 2, 2001

WHEN DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR RECALL 97V211000, NO WORK OR MODIFICATIONS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. CONSUMER STATED THAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RAILS HAVE BECOME STUCK. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE RECALL OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN MET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
891817
Incident
Jul 1, 2000
Seat belts
Filed May 15, 2001

CONSUMER HAD RECALL WORK PERFORMED FOR NHTSA RECALL 97V211000 CONCERNING RESTRAINT BELTS. REMEDY PERFORMED DID NOT CORRECT DEFECT BECAUSE CONSUMER'S PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT MOVE IN TRACK/RAIL. ALSO, BELT WILL NOT ALLOW MOVEMENT OF PASSENGER BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO LOCK UP AND WILL NOT RELEASE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID
888238
Incident
Apr 23, 2001
Electrical
Filed Feb 24, 2000

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE FLOODING. WHEN OCCURRING, CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE 30 AMP FUSE FOR FUEL INJECTORS, AND TRY TO STOP THE FLOOD. REPLACED THE FUSE AND STARTED AGAIN. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IS WAS THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR NOW. *AK

NHTSA ID
857531
Incident
Nov 30, 1993
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 15, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DLR REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR., BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
847800
Incident
Jun 1, 1999
Suspension
Filed Sep 8, 1999

THIS VEHICLE HAD THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD PLACED ON TO PROTECT THE TIRES IF THE SPRINGS BROKE, THE SPRINGS BROKE, AND THE TIRES WERE STILL DAMAGED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
847135
Seat belts
Filed Jul 14, 1999

RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS (97V-211), HOWEVER FAILED AFTER REPAIR, ADDITIONAL COMPONENT REQUIRED TO FIX FAILURE. MJS

NHTSA ID
547170
Filed Apr 21, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
705842
Seat belts
Filed Nov 2, 1998

RECALL # 97V211000 MAZDA/AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RAIL; CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR OVER ONE WEEK, AND DEALER HAS NOT CORRECTED SHOULDER BELT SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT MAKE APPOINTMENTS. OWNER WAS TOLD TO JUST DROP VEHICLE OFF. *AK

NHTSA ID
829927
Incident
Nov 2, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Oct 23, 1998

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 97V211000 & CALLED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE IN. MECHANIC CLAIMED TO REPAIR SHOULDER BELT. RECEIVED VEHICLE AND SENSORS WERE NOT REPLACED AFTER 3 HOURS. TOLD PART BROKEN & NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. WILL NOTIFY OWNER. BEEN OVER MONTH & HALF. WOULD PREFER ANOTHER DEALER INSTEAD OF LUJACK. *AK

NHTSA ID
829413
Incident
Sep 2, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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