Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2020 Mazda CX-3: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2020 Mazda CX-3, most recently filed July 2023. Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 5 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2020 Mazda CX-3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2020 Mazda CX-3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V487000 Filed Jul 14, 2023

Rearview Image May Not Display Properly

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
41.6% repairedof 236,100 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 23V487000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (1)

1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Mazda CX-3, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2020 compares with other CX-3 years

Best and worst CX-3 years →
3 48 21 10 27 1 4
2014201620172018201920202021
This year (2020)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Crash tests: 5 stars overall

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 13.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2020 Mazda CX-3 suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 31 mpg combined

31
mpg combined
29
city
34
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,150
CO₂ tailpipe
289 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,107per year
$176per month
484gallons a year

Miles ÷ 31 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2020 Mazda CX-3 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive29 / 34 / 31$2,150289
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic4-Wheel Drive27 / 32 / 29$2,300303

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2020 CX-3 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All CX-3 years

Where to next

2020 Mazda CX-3 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2020 Mazda CX-3 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 23V487000 (rear camera). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2020 Mazda CX-3 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2020 Mazda CX-3 get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 29 city, 34 highway and 31 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2020 Mazda CX-3 get?

NHTSA rated the 2020 Mazda CX-3 suv fwd 5 stars overall, with 5 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (13.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2020 CX-3 compare with other years?

Among the 2014–2021 Mazda CX-3 model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2016 the most (48). The 2020 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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