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

1994 Mazda MX-3: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1994 Mazda MX-3, most recently filed July 1997. Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension.

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 1994 Mazda MX-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 1994 Mazda MX-3. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V116000 Filed Jul 22, 1997

MAZDA/FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING

Suspension · front · springs · coil springs
Official NHTSA text
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.
Repair progress not yet reported25,000 vehicles potentially affected
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 97V116000

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 (19)

19 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.

7involved a crash
0involved a fire
4injuries 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 1994 Mazda MX-3, by component (top 7). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 19.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1994 compares with other MX-3 years

Best and worst MX-3 years →
1 45 54 19 10 2 1
1991199219931994199519961999
This year (1994)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.

Fuel economy: up to 28 mpg combined

28
mpg combined
25
city
34
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,400
CO₂ tailpipe
317 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,333per year
$194per month
536gallons a year

Miles ÷ 28 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

1994 Mazda MX-3 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive25 / 34 / 28$2,400317
1.6 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 25$2,700356
1.9 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22$3,050404
1.9 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20$3,350444

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 1994 MX-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 MX-3 years

Where to next

1994 Mazda MX-3 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1994 Mazda MX-3 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 97V116000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1994 Mazda MX-3 problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (9), Air bags (6), Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1994 Mazda MX-3 get?

EPA rates the 1.6 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 25 city, 34 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1994 MX-3 compare with other years?

Among the 1991–1999 Mazda MX-3 model years at least five years old, the 1991 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1993 the most (54). The 1994 drew 19. 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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