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1992 Mazda MX-3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 MX-3.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined as a PASSENGER CAR, the 1992 Mazda MX-3 opens a model generation covered from 1992 to 1996 where owner feedback varied significantly, ranging from a low of 2 complaints in 1996 to a high of 66 in 1993. This specific year accumulated 50 total owner complaints and was subject to 3 recalls, with Seat Belts identified as the top complaint area for the vehicle. Consequently, the 1992 edition sits between the model's peak and lowest issue counts, indicating a moderate position in the vehicle's overall reliability history.

Model year1995 1994 1993 1992

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	165.7 in
Overall width	66.9 in
Overall height	51.6 in
Wheelbase	96.9 in
Curb weight	2341 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

8.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1992 GS Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1992	GS Coupe 1.8L V6	8.20 sec	16.40 sec	130 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine GL-5 in the differential.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil	GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.4 Pints
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering Fluid	DEXRON VI OR MERCON V

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.

Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 1992 Mazda MX-3 sits at the front of a clear complaint arc for its generation, with 50 reported issues—lower than the 66 in 1993 but significantly higher than the sharp decline to 20 in 1994 and single digits thereafter. Recalls and investigations remain consistent at three each for 1992 and 1993, then drop by 1994, suggesting early-build challenges were addressed mid-cycle. Seat belt complaints dominate (30 of 50), a trend not mirrored in later years, while electrical and suspension issues appear as secondary concerns. The data doesn’t specify root causes, but the concentration of seat belt complaints in 1992 implies a potential batch-specific or design-related issue that may have been resolved in subsequent models. With only one crash-related complaint and no fire reports, safety-critical failures appear limited, but the volume of seat belt concerns warrants close inspection. **Takeaway:** While 1992 isn’t the riskiest year, its elevated complaint rate and seat belt focus make it a less ideal choice than the cleaner 1994–1996 models.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’92’93 ’94 ’95 ’96

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 50 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts30

Electrical System5

Suspension4

Suspension,Seat Belts2

Fuel System, Gasoline2

Structure1

Power Train1

Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

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 MX-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.

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules

Frequently asked

Does the 1992 MX-3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.