For the past 2 years there has been a severe parasitic battery drain issue that drains that battery partially or in some cases completely ruins new batteries. Car has spent a cumulative total of 3 months with a dealer trying to find the source. 5 batteries in 2 years and often times need to jump start the car. Car has been at dealer dozens of times and they have been unable to resolve issue. In looking online many others with same problems
The worst 2021 Mazda CX-30 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine49
- Electrical14
- Driver assistance12
- Visibility11
- Acceleration8
- Brakes8
- Transmission8
- Airbags3
- Fuel system3
- Seats2
- Body1
- Lights1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2021 Mazda CX-30
Recalls 2
Tires: valve
- What is wrong
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
- Risk
- A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.
Recall number 21V101000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
- What is wrong
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020-2021 CX-30 vehicles. When fully opened, the power liftgate may partially lower unexpectedly when the vehicle is parked facing uphill on a slope.
- Risk
- If the power liftgate unexpectedly lowers while a person is accessing the rear storage area of the vehicle, it can increase their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power liftgate control module software and inspect the serial number of the power liftgate drive unit, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1‑800‑222‑5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4621B.
Recall number 21V086000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2021 Mazda CX-30 618
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Valve Stem Seals Class Action Settlement Program for Excessive Oil Consumption and Oil Consumption...
- Subject: TSB 01-001/26 Warranty and Parts Kit Update INCLUDES: Warranty Extension Program
- Special service program - SSPD5 - warranty extension - multi-model - valve stem seals class action
- SSPD8
- SSPD8
- Engine
- On certain subject vehicles, the check engine light is illuminated with diagnostic trouble code (DTC)...
- Engine
- Subject: Update – Campaign Warranty Claim Response Enhancements – Modules Not Repaired for Certain...
- Some customers may complain about any of the following 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the...
2021 Mazda CX-30 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | FWD | 25 | 33 | 28 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 22-24 | 30-31 | 25-26 |
What 2021 Mazda CX-30 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The climate control system suffered a sudden, complete failure due to an engineering defect documented in Mazda Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) ID: MC-10203760-0001. The factory evaporator core leaked refrigerant rapidly starving the A/C compressor of essential lubricating oil. This caused the compressor to overheat and complete seize. This failure occurred during extreme summer heat exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, creating an immediate health hazard inside the cabin during my daily 40-mile highway work commute. Additionally, the complete loss of climate control functionality compromises the vehicle's defogging and defrosting capabilities, creating a severe visibility hazard during sudden weather changes on the highway. Mazda customer service corporate teams refused to cover or reimburse the repair because I had to utilize an independent repair facility (Firestone) within walking distance of my home to safely remedy the immediate environmental hazard. The manufacturer is actively denying financial accountability for a well-documented manufacturing flaw that leads to premature secondary component failure. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to failure. First appeared 7/23/26.
Excessive oil consumption. Regularly have a low oil warning come up about 6000 kms after an oil change. Oil is always low when checked.
The vehicle experienced a premature internal A/C failure, resulting in a total loss of climate control refrigerant. Because the A/C system failed, the vehicle's windshield defroster completely stopped removing humidity and moisture from the cabin air. This caused the front windshield to instantly and severely fog over while operating the vehicle completely obstructing forward driver visibility. The manufacturer has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) MC-10203760-0001 for factory evaporator defect on 2021 models, acknowledging low refrigerant charge due to component leakage. However, the manufacturer's current TSB VIN cutoff is too narrow. My vehicle is a 2021 model built at the same facility experiencing the exact same component failure past the arbitrary cutoff, proving the dangerous defect extends into later production runs. The current parameters must be expanded to protect public safety and a recall needs to be initiated to fix the issue.
On June 3rd, 2026, about 1:15 PM, I braked in the rain because there was a stopped car in front of me. The brakes did not work; the Automatic Emergency brakes did not work; the Forward Collision Warning did not work and I hit the car in front of me causing a 3 car accident. As I hit the car I saw the Forward Collision Warning come on and then go out. Unfortunately, the brakes worked after that and the Mazda Collision Center cannot find anything wrong with the brakes. I note that the 2022 and 2023 models of the same car did have recalls related to the brakes. The claim is still open and I have not yet received the final damage report. Yesterday I was told the revised estimate is $16,000 and my car and the middle care with front and rear and damage are considered totaled.
Following a recent inspection at Perry Mazda in Santa Barbara, my vehicle was diagnosed with a failed clock spring mechanism causing airbag malfunction warnings. Clock spring failure under 70K miles on a 2021 vehicle is premature and suggests a defect rather than normal wear. I contacted Mazda North America and it has been over a week without a response. I have maintained the vehicle responsible and have no history of collisions or modifications that could have contributed to this failure.
While driving, on approach to a stop signal, at an intersection the car stopped moving. The display said engine malfunction, have inspected. The electronics and engine continued to operate, but the car would not move when gas pedal was depressed. I shut off and restarted my vehicle numerous times, with no effect on the problem, the car still would not move. The vehicle behind me had to brake unexpectedly, and I could have been hit by others in the intersection, there could have been an accident.(I put car in neutral and the driver behind me, pushed my vehicle, manually, out of the intersection) AAA towed vehicle to the dealer I purchased it from, they were unable to reproduce the problem or retrieve codes to identify problem.( AAA did something under the hood before towing and I was able to drive vehicle to nearby parking lot to be towed) No other inspection has been conducted. Over prior week I noted intermittent engine revving while driving for very brief seconds and this occurred just prior to the incident that resulted in the inability to move the vehicle.
The left and/or right side sun visor does not stay in the fully retracted position and may lower slightly due to its own weight. The problem is attributed to a broken connection point where the sun visor attaches to the vehicle. Impaired visibility, particularly in bright sunlight.
The I-Activesense camera disables all the time while driving. It disabled cruise control, LKA and LKA warning as well as auto high beams. While driving at highway speeds, when the vehicle drifts slightly over the line it does not get corrected nor do I receive ANY warning. It's almost as if the system knows it's there but doesn't want to turn on. While I was driving one day, it was very windy and the wind blew my car into the other lane slightly and almost collided with a vehicle. If the system was working that would not have happened. The problem was addressed at the dealership and I was told it was "normal". I've watched many videos on this exact model and trim. It is supposed to put my vehicle back into the center of the lane if it drifts over the lines. I will also add that every time this happens, the weather is perfect and nothing is obstructing the camera. The warning lamps that come on are the sensors disabled, auto high beams, forward collision, and cruise control
On December 13, 2025, my vehicle (2021 Mazda CX-30) was serviced at a Valvoline Instant Oil Change location. During service, the technician stated he was checking tire pressure and asked whether 36 PSI was acceptable. I agreed. When I pulled out of the bay, the tire pressure warning light remained on and showed 29 PSI. I stopped immediately and informed the technician. He then stated he could not inflate the rear-left tire because he could not remove the valve stem cap due to corrosion. This was not disclosed before the vehicle was released. The technician told me I should drive the vehicle anyway and suggested I try removing the cap myself using pliers. No written warning or safety notice was provided. On December 16, 2025, while traveling on Interstate 81, I heard a pop/rattle and the vehicle became progressively louder. A warning displayed: “TPMS Malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected.” I continued driving until I could safely exit. The tire was shredded by the time I pulled over. The incident appears consistent with progressive deflation/underinflation leading to tire failure. The vehicle was released for highway operation despite the technician’s stated inability to service the tire at the valve stem.
Compare the 2021 Mazda CX-30
Other model years
Questions about the 2021 Mazda CX-30
Is the 2021 Mazda CX-30 reliable?
Owners have filed 101 complaints about the 2021 Mazda CX-30, 3.0 times a typical CX-30 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2021 Mazda CX-30 year score?
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 scores 35 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda CX-30: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mazda CX-30?
Engine and cooling, with 49 complaints. Next is electrical (14).
How many recalls does the 2021 Mazda CX-30 have?
2 recalls, covering tires and structure.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mazda CX-30 get?
Official estimates for the 2021 Mazda CX-30 range from 25 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 25 city and 33 highway.
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