YearToAvoid

2021 Mazda CX-30 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 6 CX-30 years

The 2021 Mazda CX-30 ranks worst of 6 model years tracked, with a complaint index of 100 and 101 NHTSA complaints, 54% engine-related. It carries 2 recalls and is rated Avoid relative to other CX-30 years.

Complaints
101
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
10 / 0
Injuries / deaths
13 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
24 city / 31 hwy

Top 2021 Mazda CX-30 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine55 (54%)
  2. Electrical System14 (14%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (12%)
  4. Other10 (10%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers10 (10%)
  6. Brakes8 (8%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain8 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body4 (4%)
  9. Airbags3 (3%)
  10. Fuel System3 (3%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration, including one case where the vehicle sped up while parking and reportedly failed to brake.
  • Some drivers say the vehicle lost motive power at very low speed, with the low-voltage battery warning light on, requiring a jump start.
  • Several owners describe brake failures where the pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not stop, sometimes without any warning light or alert.
  • Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are reported to activate too late or not at all, in one case flashing on only after impact.
  • Cruise control reportedly failed to disengage when the brake pedal was pressed, leading to a collision.
  • Frontal or side airbags reportedly did not deploy in some crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
2021 Mazda CX-30 complaints: complaints filed per month8May 2021Feb 2022Aug 2022Mar 2023Oct 2023Jun 2024Jan 2025Apr 2026
134 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2022 (8).

2021 Mazda CX-30 recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 21V101000Feb 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires599 vehicles

    Tires:valve

    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.

  2. NHTSA 21V086000Feb 18, 2021Structure & Body13,857 vehicles

    Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

    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.

2021 Mazda CX-30 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other CX-30 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2020Best033327.5
2021Avoid100101226
2022Best2033125.5
2023Good4024127

All Mazda CX-30 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Mazda CX-30 a bad year?
Among the 6 CX-30 model years tracked, 2021 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, so it is rated Avoid relative to other years.
What is the main problem with the 2021 Mazda CX-30?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 55 of 101 complaints (54%), with a median mileage at failure of 30,590 miles.
Does the 2021 Mazda CX-30 have any recalls?
Yes, two recalls: one for tire air valves that may leak air, and one for a power liftgate that may lower unexpectedly on a slope.
How does the 2021 CX-30 compare to other years?
2020 and 2022 are rated Best with complaint indexes of 0 and 20, while 2021 has an index of 100, the highest among the six years tracked.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.