Model year 2018 · Compact Cars

2018 Mazda CX-3: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2018 Mazda CX-3 at 29–31 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 10 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

29–31

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mazda dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2018 Mazda CX-3 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2018 Mazda CX-3, newest first.

Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera

NHTSA 23V487000 Reported Jul 14, 2023

Filed by: Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 6023G)
Units affected: 236,100 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2018 Mazda CX-3 fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2018 Mazda CX-3 EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
CX-3 2WD	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	29/34/31 mpg	$2,150	290
CX-3 4WD	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	27/32/29 mpg	$2,300	308

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2018 Mazda CX-3 crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2018 Mazda CX-3 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2018 Mazda CX-3 SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	13.6%	Optional
2018 Mazda CX-3 SUV FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	13.8%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2018 Mazda CX-3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda CX-3, most recently on May 8, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2018 Mazda CX-3 complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Back over prevention	2
Electrical system	2
Engine	2
Exterior lighting	1
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings	1
Fuel/propulsion system	1
Lane departure: Blind spot detection	1
Service brakes	1
Suspension	1
Unknown or other	1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Mazda CX-3 model years

Mazda CX-3 by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2021 CX-3	29–31 mpg	1	4	5/5
2020 CX-3	29–31 mpg	1	1	5/5
2019 CX-3	29–31 mpg	2	27	5/5
2017 CX-3	29–31 mpg	1	21	5/5
2016 CX-3	29–31 mpg	3	48	5/5

All Mazda CX-3 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2018 Mazda models

2018 Mazda 2 2018 Mazda 3 2018 Mazda 6 2018 Mazda CX-5 2018 Mazda CX-9 2018 Mazda MX-5

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Mazda.