Model year guide

1992 Mazda MX-3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Mazda MX-3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 12 on record.

1992 Mazda MX-3 — representative photo
Representative photo

1992 Mazda MX-3 at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints50
Combined20–28 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1992 Mazda MX-3 recalls 3

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #15V674000 · manufacturer #8715J · 19/10/2015

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

Seat Belts:front:webbing NHTSA Campaign #97V211000 · 18/11/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE I…

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #97V116000 · 22/07/1997

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…

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 REPL…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1992 Mazda MX-3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1992 Mazda MX-3 safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1992 Mazda MX-3 2-DR. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1992 Mazda MX-3 MPG & running costs

Combined20–28 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,875
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume80 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,375 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1992 Mazda MX-3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,375
Fuel only$14,375
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
165.7 in
Width
66.9 in
Height
51.6 in
Wheelbase
96.9 in
Curb weight
2,341 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1992 Mazda MX-3. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1992 Mazda MX-3. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.

Transport Canada #2015489 · Oct 2015

Suspension

IN AREAS OF HIGH ROAD SALT USE (ALL PROVINCES EAST OF THE MANITOBA BORDER), CORROSIVE PITS MAY DEVELOP ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE COIL SPRING TO BREAK AT A POINT 1.0 TO 1.5 INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE COIL SPRING. THIS COULD CAUSE A TIRE TO BE PUNCTURED FROM CONTACT WITH THE BROKEN SPRING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INST…

Transport Canada #1997134 · Jul 1997

Electrical

NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES. WATER AND ROAD SALT CAN ENTER THE ALTERNATOR THROUGH A PRODUCTION PIN HOLE IN THE BUS BAR POSSIBLY CREATING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE BUS BAR AND THE ALTERNATOR HEAT SHIELD. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING AND RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND A MODIFIED HEAT SHIELD WILL…

Transport Canada #1994138 · Aug 1994

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Mazda MX-3

The Mazda MX-3 is a 2+2-seat, front-wheel drive coupé of a kammback design, manufactured and marketed by Mazda. It was introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1991 and marketed until 1998.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1992 Mazda MX-3 vehicles on record

1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13B200112560 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13A200120184 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13A200119171 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13B200108714 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13A200107929 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13B200122567 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JM1EC4319N0121402 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13A200115707 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13A200102979 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13B200112432 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JM1EC4310P0210715 1992 Mazda MX-3 1992 Mazda MX-3JMZEC13A200116888

Other Mazda MX-3 model years

2008 2005 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1991

1992 Mazda MX-3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 Mazda MX-3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 Mazda MX-3. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mazda MX-3?

Across all 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, electrical system, suspension.

What is the 1992 Mazda MX-3 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1992 Mazda MX-3 crash-test ratings of frontal 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1992 Mazda MX-3 get?

The 1992 Mazda MX-3 has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.