2021 Mazda CX-30 Reliability
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 has 101 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby CX-30 model years (2020–2023), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the CX-30's typical year, while the 2023 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
101
NHTSA owner complaints
2
Recall campaigns
10
Complaints citing a crash
0
Complaints citing a fire
2021 Mazda CX-30 complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 model year, filed between 2021 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 49 | 49% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 14% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 12% |
| Visibility / wipers | 11 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 10 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 8% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 8 | 8% |
| Speed control / throttle | 8 | 8% |
2021 Mazda CX-30 recalls
2 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2021 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21V086000 | Feb 18, 2021 | Body 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. |
| 21V101000 | Feb 22, 2021 | 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. |
How the 2021 compares with nearby CX-30 years
Verdicts compare these CX-30 model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 34 | 3 | Unknown or other | Solid |
| 2021 (this page) | 101 | 2 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2022 | 33 | 1 | Engine | Solid |
| 2023 | 25 | 1 | Service brakes | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 on the used market
- Median asking price $19,727 at a median 60,894 miles, across 571 live US dealer listings in CarWhere's depreciation study.
What to check on a used 2021 Mazda CX-30
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Driver aids: ask about false automatic-braking events and check for warning messages on the dash.
- Visibility: test the wipers at every speed, washers, defrosters and the climate system (fogging is a common complaint).
- Recalls: confirm each of the 2 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2021 Mazda CX-30 can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2021 Mazda CX-30 reliability FAQ
Is the 2021 Mazda CX-30 reliable?
The 2021 Mazda CX-30 has 101 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Compared with nearby CX-30 model years (2020–2023), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the CX-30's typical year, while the 2023 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2021 Mazda CX-30 problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Mazda CX-30 are engine (49), electrical system (14), forward collision avoidance (12), visibility / wipers (11). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2021 Mazda CX-30 have recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Mazda CX-30, including 21V086000 (body structure — body / hatchback/liftgate) and 21V101000 (tires — valve). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2021 Mazda CX-30 compare with the 2020 and 2022 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2020 has 34 complaints and 3 recalls (solid); the 2022 has 33 complaints and 1 recall (solid). The 2021 has 101 complaints and 2 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2021 Mazda CX-30?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Mazda CX-30 research
Other Mazda CX-30 model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2021 CX-30, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.