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1994 Mazda MX3 problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Mazda MX3 is suspension, typically around 97,000 miles. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical MX3 model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
19
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
32
Worst area
Suspension
Fuel economy
20-28mpg

The worst 1994 Mazda MX3 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.

  • Suspension
    9
  • Airbags
    6
  • Brakes
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Locks
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Mazda MX3

Coil spring 9

Recalls 1

Suspension: front: springs: coil springsReported July 22, 1997 · 25,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 97V116000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1994 Mazda MX3

Defect investigations

Front coil spring fractureOpened March 3, 1998, closed November 16, 1998

There is no summary currently available

RQ98001

Auto restraint system failOpened November 30, 1994, closed November 26, 1997

There is no summary currently available

EA94039

Alternator firesOpened October 12, 1994, closed December 21, 1994

There is no summary currently available

PE94075

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Mazda MX3 32

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 32 bulletins for the 1994 Mazda MX3

1994 Mazda MX3 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.6L 4‑cylFWD22-2531-3425-28
1.9L 6‑cylFWD18-2025-2620-22

What 1994 Mazda MX3 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 7, 2013 · Suspension · 140,000 miles · KY

Tl the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx3. The contact stated that immediately after parking in a residential garage, she heard a loud pop. After inspecting the vehicle, she realized that the coil spring fractured and punctured the tire. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 97v116000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000. Mah

Filed Dec 13, 2007 · Suspension · 78,200 miles · AK

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx-3. While driving 5 MPH, the front coil spring failed and caused the front passenger side tire to blow out. The rotation of the coil spring punctured the tire. The vehicle has not been diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The tire must be replaced. The dealer stated that the VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v116000 (suspension:front:springs:coil springs). The vehicle does not have cruise control or antilock brakes. The contact is not the original owner of the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 78,200.

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Suspension · 63,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda mx-3. The contact stated that the two front coil springs failed, which caused the cd axles on both sides to fail. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done because the VIN was excluded from the recall. In addition, the area where the vehicle was manufactured was not affected. The cd axles were replaced. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 63,000.

Filed May 26, 2006 · Suspension · 97,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 60 MPH on normal road conditions, the right front tire exploded due to a puncture from a fractured coil spring. There is a recall, # 97v116000 for the coil spring on the contacts year, make and model. However the contacts VIN was not included. The recall only applies to vehicles originally sold or currently registered in salt states. The contact use to live in nebraska and commuted to a salt state, iowa, and now lives in florida. The manufacturer was contacted who refused to provide the recall letter and referred the contact to a local dealer for repairs. The dealership denied the recall remedy without the recall letter. Updated 12/15/06.

Filed Mar 7, 2006 · Suspension · 94,800 miles · IL

Dt*: the contact stated while parking the front coil springs broke. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 97v116000, regarding the suspension front springs coil springs. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Nov 30, 2004 · Suspension · 114,000 miles · MA

While backing out of the driveway at 10 MPH or less consumer heard a noise and noticed the right front tire was flat. Vehicle was towed to the repair shop. Mechanic informed determined that coil spring broke and punctured the tire. The repair shop notified a local mazda dealer.

Filed Nov 28, 2004 · Suspension · 114,000 miles · MA

Either dec 2000 or jan 2001 my mazda mx-3 had a front coil spring break. My mechanic contacted mazda district representative and showed the coil to him. My mechanic felt this was not something that should have happened. The district rep said there was nothing mazda could do. I contacted mazda myself and they said that they would do nothing. Then a few months later, I found your website and conveyed the information found to mazda and they said that it was not a recall for the mx-3 only the mx-6. They said your website was incorrect. Today my second coil spring did break and this time it popped my tire instantly. My car was towed to hawley's garage in east longmeadow, ma where the first coil spring was replaced. Upon being towed more damaged to my car was instilled to what extent the damage is, is not known till the mechanic checks this out. I feel that all of this should and could have been avoided if mazda had just done the right thing a few years back and fixed and prevented this from happening again. My mechanic did fix the first coil spring back when it was broken and I will have him replace this one also. The old part is not available but I will be sure to keep this one.

Filed Mar 15, 2003 · Suspension · 35 miles · WV

The left front (driver's side) coil spring broke while I was driving home from work. The tire and rim were damaged, leaving me stranded on highway.

Filed Feb 2, 2000 · Visibility · TX

While rolling window down would have to pull window up by hand. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further infomaton.

Filed Oct 29, 1999 · Locks · FL

While driving on highway at approximately 60mph all of a sudden the hood unlatched, and block edthe driver's view. Put emergency lights on and pulled over. Hood smashed the windshield. Didn't contact dealer, but contacrf insurance co.

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Questions about the 1994 Mazda MX3

Is the 1994 Mazda MX3 reliable?

Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 1994 Mazda MX3, 1.9 times a typical MX3 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Mazda MX3?

Suspension, with 9 complaints, typically around 97,000 miles. Next is airbags (6).

How many recalls does the 1994 Mazda MX3 have?

1 recall, covering suspension.

What gas mileage does the 1994 Mazda MX3 get?

Official estimates for the 1994 Mazda MX3 range from 20 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 22-25 city and 31-34 highway.

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