Injector / carbon deposits
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rough idle when cold
Fix: Injector cleaning
€150–400
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Mazda CX-3
2015–2022
2
engines covered
5
known faults
25,443
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
5
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Mazda CX-3 was built from 2015 to 2022.
For this generation we cover 2 engines and 5 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Injector seals / carbon: it usually appears at 80,000–160,000 km and costs €400–2,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (5.1 %), tyres and wheels (5.0 %), brakes (3.7 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5 Skyactiv-G | Petrol | Chain | 0W-20 · API SN · ~4.2 L · every 20,000 km |
| 1.5 / 1.8 / 2.2 Skyactiv-D | Diesel | Chain | 0W-30 / 5W-30 · ACEA C2 / C3 (DL-1) · ~5.1 L · every 20,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5 Skyactiv-G
1.5 / 1.8 / 2.2 Skyactiv-D
Oil level rising (DPF regeneration)
usually 20,000–120,000 km · High risk
Signs: Oil level warning, oil too thin
Fix: Shorter oil intervals, software update
€0–200
Injector seals / carbon
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Knock, smoke, power loss
Fix: Replace seals, decarbonise
€400–2,000
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic (torque converter)
Torque converter / valve body
usually 150,000–250,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Delayed or harsh shifts
Fix: Fluid service, repair
€300–2,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5 Skyactiv-G engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 20,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 40,000 km or every 24 months | €15–40 |
| Air filterEngine | every 40,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 200,000 km or every 120 months | €70–150 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 120,000 km | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 25,443 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.8 % | 3.7 % | 4.7 % | 4.7 % |
| Suspension | 0.8 % | 2.3 % | 4.6 % | 7.5 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.2 % | 0.2 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.2 % | 5.0 % | 6.4 % | 6.7 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 4.4 % | 5.1 % | 6.7 % | 7.8 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.1 % | 0.4 % | 0.3 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.1 % | 0.3 % | 0.9 % | 1.7 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (5). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fuel system Low pressure fuel pump impeller might become deformed04/01/2022 · R/2021/435
- Fire risk Control logic which monitors the charging control program fails to divert electrical power away from capacitor in the event of a fault17/09/2018 · R/2018/237
- Engine / loss of power Software error can cause engine to fail02/04/2018 · R/2018/087
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Brake hose retaining clip may fail.14/07/2017 · R/2017/203
- Suspension / axles Tailgate may drop down without warning31/05/2017 · R/2017/163
Other generations
Mazda CX-30 2019–Mazda CX-5 (KE) 2012–2017Mazda CX-5 (KF) 2017–
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026