Total Complaints
1 filings
MAZDA CX-3 · model year
2020 MAZDA CX-3
1 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2020MAZDACX-3 carries 1 consumer safety complaint in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 CX-3 is air bags with 1 filings. Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2020 CX-3, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
1
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
- Front Crash 5.0 ★
- Side Crash 5.0 ★
- Rollover 4.0 ★
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating
· Front: 5/5
· Side: 5/5
· Rollover: 4/5
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
Recalls (1)
23V48700014/07/2023
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Recent Complaints
20221019CrashAIR BAGS
On 1/22/21, I was driving for Lyft. I had a passenger in this car and I was giving her a ride home. I had a seizure towards the end of the ride, and was completely amnesiac to the crash that occurred. During my seizure, I was unable to check for clearance before I entered a highway and I crashed into another car. In the police report, it states that my air bags didn't go off. As a result, my head hit the windshield and I suffered a traumatic brain injury which was a brain hemorrhage. I had to spend a night in the hospital and I got 13 staples in my head. Now, over a year later I still get migraines and I can no longer drive due to symptoms from my complex PTSD. This has affected all aspects of my life, including my ability to find employment in my field of mental health. I have nine years of experience as a mental health professional, and most of the jobs in my field require a driver's license and car. This accident could have killed me, as well as the passenger in my car and the peopl
Compare 2020MAZDACX-3 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
RQ26002Recall QueryOpen
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
PE19006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
PE18006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Front Subframe Corrosion
PE15022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Lower ball joint separation
PE14005Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Brake Booster Failure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2020 MAZDA CX-3 have?▼
The 2020 MAZDA CX-3 has 1 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 MAZDA CX-3?▼
The 2020 MAZDA CX-3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 MAZDA CX-3?▼
Yes, the 2020 MAZDA CX-3 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 MAZDA CX-3?▼
The most-complained component for the 2020 MAZDA CX-3 is AIR BAGS with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include various components.
Is the 2020 MAZDA CX-3 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2020 MAZDA CX-3 has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.