- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, nw hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and washington, dc. In areas where large quantities of road salt are used, corrosive pits can develop on the surface of the front suspension coil spring. Repeated use can eventually cause the coil spring to break and a tire could be punctured from contact with the broken coil spring.
- The risk
- This condition increases the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a guard assembly which will prevent the broken coil spring from contacting the tire. In addition to performing the recall campaign, mazda is extending the warranty coverage on the front coil springs for the lift of the vehicle. If owners have already paid for the repair or replacement of these front coil springs, due to road salt damage, mazda will reimburse these owners for reasonable expenses.
Vehicle safety record
1994 Mazda MX-3 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 1994 Mazda MX-3 with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (9) and the airbags (5). Those complaints describe 7 crashes and 4 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in July 1997 for the coil springs. For comparison, the 1993 has 57 and the 1995 has 10.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical MX-3 year, for its age
#120 most complained-about 1994 vehicle
- Complaints
- 19
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 7
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1994 Mazda MX-3 problems
Share of all 19 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1994 Mazda MX-3 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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19 complaints about the 1994 Mazda MX-3
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx3. The contact stated that immediately after parking in a residential garage, she heard a loud pop. After inspecting the vehicle, she realized that the coil spring fractured and punctured the tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 97v116000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000. Mah
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx-3. While driving 5 mph, the front coil spring failed and caused the front passenger side tire to blow out. The rotation of the coil spring punctured the tire. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The tire must be replaced. The dealer stated that the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign id number 97v116000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The vehicle does not have cruise control or antilock brakes. The contact is not the original owner of the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 78,200.
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx-3. The contact stated that the two front coil springs failed, which caused the cd axles on both sides to fail. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done because the vin was excluded from the recall. In addition, the area where the vehicle was manufactured was not affected. The cd axles were replaced. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 60 mph on normal road conditions, the right front tire exploded due to a puncture from a fractured coil spring. There is a recall, # 97v116000 for the coil spring on the contacts year, make and model. However the contacts vin was not included. The recall only applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in salt states. The contact use to live in nebraska and commuted to a salt state, iowa, and now lives in florida. The manufacturer was contacted who refused to provide the recall letter and referred the contact to a local dealer for repairs. The dealership denied the recall remedy without the recall letter. Updated 12/15/06. *Jb
Dt*: the contact stated while parking the front coil springs broke. There is a nhtsa recall, # 97v116000, regarding the suspension front springs coil springs. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the vin.
While backing out of the driveway at 10 mph or less consumer heard a noise and noticed the right front tire was flat. Vehicle was towed to the repair shop. Mechanic informed determined that coil spring broke and punctured the tire. The repair shop notified a local mazda dealer.*Ak
Either dec 2000 or jan 2001 my mazda mx-3 had a front coil spring break. My mechanic contacted mazda district representative and showed the coil to him. My mechanic felt this was not something that should have happened. The district rep said there was nothing mazda could do. I contacted mazda myself and they said that they would do nothing. Then a few months later, I found your website and conveyed the information found to mazda and they said that it was not a recall for the mx-3 only the mx-6. They said your...
Read the full complaint
website was incorrect. Today my second coil spring did break and this time it popped my tire instantly. My car was towed to hawley's garage in east longmeadow, ma where the first coil spring was replaced. Upon being towed more damaged to my car was instilled to what extent the damage is, is not known till the mechanic checks this out. I feel that all of this should and could have been avoided if mazda had just done the right thing a few years back and fixed and prevented this from happening again. My mechanic did fix the first coil spring back when it was broken and I will have him replace this one also. The old part is not available but I will be sure to keep this one.*Ak
The left front (driver's side) coil spring broke while I was driving home from work. The tire and rim were damaged, leaving me stranded on highway. *Nlm
While rolling window down would have to pull window up by hand. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further infomaton. *Ak
While driving on highway at approximately 60mph all of a sudden the hood unlatched, and block edthe driver's view. Put emergency lights on and pulled over. Hood smashed the windshield. Didn't contact dealer, but contacrf insurance co. *Ak
When level in fuel tank is low, rpms high, and going around corner, engine suddenly loses power momentarily. *Ak
When vehicle started off, a loud "clunk" noise was heard. The left front end had collapsed. Drove to midas dealer & half way to dealer the tire blew. At midas, mechanic noticed cracked in coil springs. That caused the break in the wheel well.
Was traveling in 1st gear at approximately 10mph when vehicle in front stopped short. Had applied brakes lightly but quickly, and tapped vehicle in front. When this happened, air bags did not deploy. Passenger's side window broke due to metal piece on cover of air bag. *Ak
During a vehicle collision there was no deployment of the air bag, resulting in injuries .
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *AK
Consumer was involved in a 25 mph rear end crash in which the passenger's side air bag deployed the driver's side did not. Please give further details. *Ak
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision, impact 12:00 position, speed 25mph, driver's side airbag deployed, causing burns to face. *Ak
While attempting to brake, car fishtaled, spun into the wall on freeway, resulting in an accident/injury. *Ak
Tie rod end broke, causing wheel to lock up/loss of control/accident. *Skd
Mazda MX-3: every year compared
All MX-3 years1994 Mazda MX-3 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 Mazda MX-3 | 19 | 1 | C | |
| 1994 Mazda 626 | 287 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda B-Series Truck | 126 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda MX-6 | 48 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda MPV | 39 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 19 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda 929 | 13 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1994 Mazda 323 | 11 | 2 | C | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1994 Mazda MX-3
Does the 1994 Mazda MX-3 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1994 Mazda MX-3: coil springs (July 1997). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mazda MX-3?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (9), airbags (5), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 1994 Mazda MX-3 had?
19 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 12, 1995 and the latest on February 7, 2013. Of these, 7 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 4 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1994 Mazda MX-3 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 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?
1993 (57), 1992 (47), 1994 (19). See every Mazda MX-3 year compared.
What should I do if my 1994 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