1992 Mazda MX-3

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

72/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Mazda MX-3, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Seat belts	30	60%
Electrical system	5	10%
Suspension	4	8%
Suspension	2	4%
Fuel system	2	4%
Structure	1	2%
Power train	1	2%
Tires	1	2%
Engine and engine cooling	1	2%
Unknown or other	1	2%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

Automatic seatbelt is stuck in the middle position and cannot secure you in the event of an accident. Vehicle was taken in for an open recall but no work was performed due to lack of parts. They then closed the recall no
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

CAR HAS A INTERIOR FRAME METAL PROBLEM INSIDE THE STRUCTURE OF THE CAR ITS WELDS,ARE COMING APART SHEET METAL,WHEEL WELLS CORE SUPPORT,FRONT BUMPER,FLOOR REAR SPARE TIRE,SHEETMETAL,THE RUST PROOFING WAS NOT ENOUGH ON CAR
NHTSA complaint: Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1992 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MAZDA MX3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED CONTINUOUSLY. THE COIL SPRING WAS REPAIRED BY THE CONTACT THE FIRST THREE TIMES THE FAILURE OCCURRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

TL* CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MAZDA MX3. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONTACT OBSERVED THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT EXTRACT THE WEBBING PROPERLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THAT A PRIOR R
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

1992 TO 1993 MAZDA MX-3 AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RECALL MAZDA DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE LIFETIME WARRANTY ON THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IN SPITE OF THE DOCUMENTATION THAT WAS PROVIDED. THE AUTOMATIC SEAT B
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MAZDA MX3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE MOVED UNCONTROLLABLY. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT COILS SPRINGS FAILED. THE MAZDA DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INC
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION LOST FIRST AND SECOND GEARS, THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED TO 30 MPH AND LOST THIRD AND FOURTH GEARS. IT WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE
NHTSA complaint: Power train

The seven scores

Reliability raw	81	excellent
Longevity est.	81	excellent
Maintenance	84	excellent
Depreciation	62	average
Performance	41	below average
Efficiency	50	average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 35% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 69% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 67% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 58% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 81: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 81: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1992 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 84: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1992 Mazda MX-3?

Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 30 of them (60%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 1992 Mazda MX-3 reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1992 Mazda MX-3 last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1992 Mazda MX-3?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.