Is the 2019 Mazda CX-3 reliable?

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 has 37 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2019 Mazda CX-3?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (10 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (5 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2019 Mazda CX-3?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Mazda dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Mazda CX-3?

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 gets 31 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1548. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2019 Mazda CX-3?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2019 Mazda CX-3 is approximately $1,511/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2019 Mazda CX-3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2019 Mazda CX-3 has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is electrical problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: key fob disconnects while driving. lock/unlock does not work. car does not start when keyfob is in vehicle. this has happened three times now, the dealership has changed my keyfobs, flashed the memory, and replaced the batteries. i've spoken to corporate customer service and was told "sometimes key . There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

10 complaints

27%

• KEY FOB DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING. LOCK/UNLOCK DOES NOT WORK. CAR DOES NOT START WHEN KEYFOB IS IN VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW, THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED MY KEYFOBS, FLASHED THE MEMORY, AND REPLACED THE BATTERIES. I'VE SPOKEN TO CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD "SOMETIMES KEY
• I PURCHASED MY 2019 CX 3 NOVEMBER 2018. APRIL 17 2019 WITH 1840 MILES I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. I WAS TOLD I DIDN'T DRIVE THE CARE ENOUGH! I DRIVE MY CAR EVERY DAY BUT IT IS LOCAL DRIVING. FEBRUARY 25 2020 MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT 5000 MILES INCLUDING OIL CHANGE AND ENGINE CHECK. PAPERWORK SHOWED B
• WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ENTIRE DASH LIGHTS GO DARK. THIS IS THE THIRD EPISODE I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER TWICE BEFORE WITH SAME COMPLAINT. I CONTACTED MAZDA IN DECEMBER 2018 & WAS GIVEN REFERENCE NUMBER OF 1-1911536225. INCIDENT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY WHEN DRIVING UNDER

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“KEY FOB DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING. LOCK/UNLOCK DOES NOT WORK. CAR DOES NOT START WHEN KEYFOB IS IN VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW, THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED MY KEYFOBS, FLASHED THE MEMORY, AND REPLACED THE BATTERIES. I'VE SPOKEN TO CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD "SOMETIMES KEY ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2019 Mazda CX-3

Based on 16 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 13K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP12/11/2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Mazda CX-3

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,549

Per month

$129

Per mile

12.9¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,412/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Mazda CX-3

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,511

Full coverage / month

$126

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-10%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1511

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mazda CX-3 Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

120K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

SkyActiv-G naturally aspirated engines. AWD models need transfer case and rear differential service every 60K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mazda New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Mazda. If you're buying a used 2019 CX-3, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mazda dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: KEY FOB DISCONNECTS WHILE DRIVING. LOCK/UNLOCK DOES NOT WORK. CAR DOES NOT START WHEN KEYFOB IS IN VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES NOW, THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED MY KEYFOBS, FLASHED THE MEMORY, AND REPLACED THE BATTERIES. I'VE SPOKEN TO CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD "SOMETIMES KEY
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: Steering Issue: Vehicle from purchase date had stiff steering. Figured this was just a new vehicle and it would get loose as it ages. As of one year later and 14K miles it has gotten worse. Especially at highway speeds the wheel gets "stuck" and breaking it free causes me to oversteer/overcompensate
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: Rough starting, stalling while going to switch gears, hesitating when pressing gas.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: The contact owns a 2019 Mazda CX-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Mazda dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)