Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Mazda CX-3 visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Mazda CX-3 have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Some vehicles may exhibit a distorted image or no image from the rear mount camera when shifted into reverse. Due to friction, the coating of camera socket terminals may wear out, creating high electrical resistance. NOTE: The icons and the messages are displayed normally.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In support of the new Mazda MX-5 and CX-3, Mazda will make available for loan on an âÂÂas-neededâ basis, a Special Service Tool (SST) to allow for the radar aiming of the blind spot monitoring (BSM) system. The BSM radar aiming is performed whenever the BSM control module, the BSM bracket or the rear bumper is replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Be advised that TSB "09-031/20 - REAR MOUNT CAMERA IMAGE NOT CLEAR/NO IMAGE ON SCREEN" is no longer valid and has been superseded by "RECALL 6023G - 2014-2018 MAZDA3 AND 2016-2019 CX-3 - REARVIEW IMAGE MAY NOT DISPLAY PROPERLY". Use the link below to view the recall: RECALL 6023G - 2014-2018 MAZDA3 AND 2016-2019 CX-3 - REARVIEW IMAGE MAY NOT DISPLAY PROPERLY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some customers may complain that the frequency of replenishing the window washer liquid is higher than expected, or they may complain of leakage at or around the washer motor (1). This is caused by a crack that may occur at the joint section of the washer motor housing due to an inappropriate assembly process. To eliminate this concern, the design of the washer motor has been modified to not have a joint section. This is caused by a crack that may occur at the joint section of the washer motor housing due to an inappropriate assembly process. To eliminate this concern, the design of the washer motor has been modified to not have a joint section.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility trouble with your 2016 Mazda CX-3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2016 Mazda CX-3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 14,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Mazda/CX-3.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.