1994 Mazda Mx-3 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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…
What could happen: 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 F…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1994 MX-3.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V116000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: NOTES: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Suspension (9), Airbags (6), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Latches / locks (1), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/07/2013 · Suspension
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 VEHI…
12/13/2007 · Suspension
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 NUM…
12/06/2007 · Suspension
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 REC…
05/26/2006 · Suspension
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 REGIS…
03/07/2006 · Suspension
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.
11/30/2004 · Suspension
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
11/28/2004 · Suspension
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…
03/15/2003 · Suspension
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