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Vehicle safety record

1992 Mazda MX-3 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 1992 Mazda MX-3 with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (31) and the suspension (6). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1993 has 57.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical MX-3 year, for its age

#63 most complained-about 1992 vehicle

Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 1992 Mazda MX-3 problems

Share of all 47 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 1992 Mazda MX-3

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1992 Mazda MX-3. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

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47 complaints about the 1992 Mazda MX-3

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Seats & seat belts

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.

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 11472751
Body, doors & structure

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)

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11097878
Electrical system

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.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10888982
SuspensionSeats & seat belts

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:...

Read the full complaint

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.

Filed Incident Suspension · Seat beltsNHTSA 10414636
Seats & seat belts

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.

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10320085
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10291250
Suspension

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.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10227855
Transmission & drivetrain

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.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10155312
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10141402
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10074396
Suspension

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

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 10071473
Electrical system

While driving at 35 mph vehicle stalled without warning. No sparks were coming from the distributor to the plugs.*Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 10041896
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 10021184
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 8012233
SuspensionSeats & seat belts

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.

Filed Suspension · Seat beltsNHTSA 758148
Seats & seat belts

Automatic seatbelt will not retract around the driver. Belt will not stay fasten.Ed. Dealership is aware of problem.*Ak

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 8003686
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 891817
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 888238
Wheels & tires

Consumer made an appointment with the dealer to replace the recalled 00t005 firestone atx tires (p235 75 r15), the dealer gave him a date and said that the tires could be replaced at this time, the consumer went to have the tires replaced on the appointment day and the dealer informed him that the tires would have to be exchanged at firestone, consumer is requesting that the recalled tires be replaced. *Slc

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 554176
Electrical system

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 857531
Engine & coolingElectrical system

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

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 847800
Suspension

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

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 847135
Seats & seat belts

Recall work performed on the automatic shoulder belts (97v-211), however failed after repair, additional component required to fix failure. Mjs

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 547170
Other & unknown

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Unknown or otherNHTSA 705842
Seats & seat belts

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

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 829927

Mazda MX-3: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19962000LightsA
199510160AirbagsB
199419170SuspensionC
199357021Seats & seat beltsD
199247010Seats & seat beltsC
All MX-3 years

1992 Mazda MX-3 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1992 Mazda MX-3

Does the 1992 Mazda MX-3 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1992 Mazda MX-3 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mazda MX-3?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (31), suspension (6), electrical system (5).

How many complaints has the 1992 Mazda MX-3 had?

47 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 18, 1995 and the latest on July 7, 2022. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 1992 Mazda MX-3 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 44 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mazda MX-3 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Mazda MX-3 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1992 Mazda MX-3 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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