Browse over 9,000 car reviews
Are you having problems with your Mazda CX-3? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Mazda CX-3 issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Mazda CX-3 in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.
Show all
Early this year, Hyundai issued a recall for some Konas built between 2020 and 2022 to deal with problems with the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission which could cause a loss of drive and, therefore, a dangerous situation on the road. So the first check would be to see if your car you're looking at is affected by that recall (a Hyundai dealer will be able to tell you by looking up the car's VIN). If the car is one of the affected ones but the recall's fixes have been applied, then you have less to worry about.
The Kona's engine problems, meanwhile, were another cause for a safety recall after it was discovered that a batch of Konas had defective piston rings which could cause early engine wear and possibly even a fire. Again, these problems were being fixed by Hyundai, but you need to check whether the example you're looking at buying was one of the affected ones and what's been done about it by the previous owner.
The Mazda CX-3 of the same era has not been without its recalls either, including one for a suspension joint that could fail, but overall, the experience of owners suggests the Mazda could be the less risky bet. Again, though, check the service and recall history of any car before handing over the money.
ZS pros include cheap pricing, an easy driving experience and a comparatively spacious interior compared to other direct rivals like a Mazda CX-3. The dash is pleasant, there is a decent amount of equipment and the controls are all simple to use. It should also be fairly inexpensive to run and service, though earlier ZSs like yours require six-monthly rather than 12-monthly service intervals.
There are two engine options - a 1.5-litre four-cylinder model with a four-speed auto on the base Excite, or a 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder version on higher-specification Excite Plus and Essence grades with a six-speed auto. Note that the latter powertrain is more expensive to service.
Plus, there's still a fair chunk of the manufacturer's warranty left, which is seven years, while capped-price servicing is also offered.
But the ZS does not offer AEB Autonomous Emergency Braking, so only rates a four-star ANCAP crash-test rating.
Additionally, the ZS's suspension is on the firm side in terms of dealing with road bumps, which might upset some occupants, yet there is not much of the 'fun factor' in regards to steering and handling finesse that rivals like the CX-3, Suzuki Vitara, Honda HR-V, Hyundai Venue, Holden Trax, Ford EcoSport and Hyundai Kona offer in spades.
We've also heard complaints about the interior's perceived quality being sub-par, cabin storage isn't generous and Android Auto isn't supported (though Apple CarPlay is).
Finally, the ZS' resale value trails all of the aforementioned competitors by a significant margin, meaning it's on track to be worth less when the time comes to on-sell it.
I can’t give you a specific answer to which has the lowest cabin noise, except to say that all the leading brands are relatively quiet. I would suggest you test drive each and decide which suits your needs the best.
Without knowing what you mean by casual weekend drives, I will assume they’re not off-road, so either one would be a good choice.
There’s nothing that should be of concern to you, the Mazda diesel is quite reliable.
The latest update actually arrived this week, and you can read our full review here.
You would like to think that sales personnel have the knowledge to advise you on issues like this and do so before you buy, but it seems they don’t. And yes you should have asked to be sure that your phone is compatible. Phone Mazda’s customer relations service (1800 034 411) and discuss the problem with them.
I am not aware of a wind noise problem related to the fitting of weather shields. Were they Mazda weather shields, or were they aftermarket items? If your Mazda dealer supplied them, go back and tell them of your concern and ask them to fix it.