MazdaCX-32021Overview/mazda/cx-3/2021/base/

2021 Mazda CX-3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 CX-3.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 is the final year of the 2014–2021 model run, specified with a 6-speed automatic transmission, EPA ratings of 29/34/31 mpg, and an engine service fill of 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 oil. With only three total owner complaints and one recall, the 2021 model sits near the bottom of the complaint range—just above the 2020 low of one and far below the 2016 high of 48—marking it as one of the quietest years in the nameplate’s tracked reliability history. Steering registers as the top complaint area, yet the minimal volume means this final model year presents a relatively uneventful reliability profile.

Model year20252024202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80.0-108.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy29/34/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 1WPE14302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/60R16 94HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPE14302 alt PE0114342
Engine air filterPEHH133A0
Fuel filterP31H13ZE0 alt P31L13ZE0
Spark plugPE5R18110A
Battery0000800035WB
Front wiper bladesD11B67330 alt DB4G67330
Serpentine beltPEDD15908 alt PE0815909C
ThermostatPYFD1516ZA
Cabin air filterD09W61J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.1 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2987 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined29 / 34 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the CX-3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.1–8.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.10 sec — 2016 Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Grand Touring 2.0L I-48.20 sec16.30 sec148 hpFWD
2016Touring 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.30 sec146 hpAWD
2016Grand Touring 2.0L I-48.40 sec16.40 sec146 hpAWD
2016Grand Touring 2.0L I-48.60 sec16.60 sec146 hpAWD
2016Grand Touring 2.0L I-48.60 sec16.70 sec146 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Mazda Long Life Hypoid Gear Oil SG1 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-108.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilMazda Long Life Hypoid Gear Oil SG1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.37 qt
Engine CoolantMazda FL-22 Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity6.1 qt
Engine Oil0W-20

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 30.0-39.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80.0-108.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap0.041-0.055 in
Spark Plug Torque12.0-14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity.74-.84 lbs
Oil Capacity3.72 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum61.7 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.2 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20.0-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 68.0-; Rear: 38.0-
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .300
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .937; Rear: .330
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .004

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80-100°20–23 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55-65°67–81 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
19.5-12.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0-34.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 85-95°, Step 4: 85-95°9.5–12.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Mazda CX-3 represents a notable stabilization in reliability metrics within its generation, particularly when viewed against the broader federal record. Complaints peaked in 2016 (48) and gradually declined, with the 2021 model registering just 3—matching the low seen in 2014 and far below the 26 reported in 2019. Recalls followed a similar trajectory, dropping from a high of 3 in 2016 to a single recall in 2021, consistent with the 2020 model year. The limited complaints for 2021 are concentrated in steering (3), with no reported crash- or fire-related incidents, suggesting targeted rather than systemic issues. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) also continued their downward trend, falling to 276 from 318 in 2020, indicating fewer unresolved or recurring technical concerns. This data positions the 2021 CX-3 as one of the most dependable years in the generation, making it a strong candidate for a used purchase.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
276
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Steering3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V487000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 14/07/2023

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 276 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
09-019-262026-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are…
SA-027-26a2026-06-16Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted…
SA-031-262026-04-30StructureDESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific CX-3. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 CX-3 take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 CX-3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the CX-3 get?

EPA figures are 29 city / 34 highway / 31 combined mpg.