Most common 2018 Mazda CX-3 problems
Share of the 10 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda CX-3 complaints by model year
Best CX-3 years: 2018. Compare all years →
2018 Mazda CX-3 recalls (1)
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge.
What 2018 Mazda CX-3 owners say
Driver assistance
Was driving my grandchildren home when an alarm that I had never heard before started sounding and BRAKE! showed up on the heads up display. The car came to a stop out in the middle of the street even though there was nothing in front of or around the vehicle. It was a good thing there was not a car behind me or they would have rear-ended my vehicle and we or the people in the car that hit us could have gotten seriously hurt. I took the car to the dealer and they did a diagnostics check and said no codes came up so there was nothing wrong with the car. They actually told me that when and if it happens again to videotape it for proof.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2018 Mazda CX-3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 29 / 34 / 31 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 27 / 32 / 29 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Mazda CX-3 a good car?
Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 CX-3 rates better than average: 65% fewer complaints than a typical year of the CX-3 at the same age. It is one of the best CX-3 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Mazda CX-3?
The driver assistance — 4 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year, most often about blind spot detection. Next are the electrical system (2) and engine & cooling (2).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda CX-3 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2018 Mazda CX-3, the most recent from July 14, 2023 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda CX-3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018. See the full Mazda CX-3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Mazda CX-3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 22,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.