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Mazda CX-30 VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Mazda CX-30 VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 7 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2020–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefix3MV

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Mazda CX-30

About the Mazda CX-30

Mazda has sold the CX-30 in the US since the 2020 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns and 253 owner complaints. The 2021 has the most complaints of any model year (101). EPA rates it at 25–29 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2020–2026
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns7
Owner complaints253 at NHTSA
Mazda CX-30 photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Mazda CX-30 at a glance

One generation in the data, 2020–2026: 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 253 owner complaints.

1 / 1
CX-30
2020–2026Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Mazda CX-30 (2020–2026)

Photo: EurovisionNim, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20202025
2020–2026

Mazda CX-30

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg25–29
NHTSA recalls7

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.5 L 4-cyl · 2020–2026
  • 2.5 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • automatic (2020–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (66)Electrical system (47)Forward collision avoidance (44)1 high-risk recall campaign

Mentions in 253 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · CX-303MVDMBDY?SM······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2025 Mazda CX-30 Premium Package, built in Salamanca, Guanajuato
Check a CX-30 VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which CX-30 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 7 campaigns on file for CX-30 model years 2020–2026, and the 2020 shows up in more of them than any other year (3), ahead of the 2021 (2). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2020
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recall
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Transport Canada recalls for these model years were checked against this list; each one matches an NHTSA campaign shown here. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mazda CX-30 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2021 and 2020 hold 134 of the 253 complaints, or 53%. Tap any bar or generation.

253NHTSA complaints, 2020–2026
25mention a crash
1mention a fire
21injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearCX-30: 253 complaints · most for the 2021 (101)

Top complaint areas · CX-30

Mentions in 253 complaints, 2020–2026.

Engine and cooling66
Electrical system47
Forward collision avoidance44
Brakes31
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)19
Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)19
Crashes 25Fires 1Injuries 21

2020–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2021 is the outlier. On its own it has 101 of the ’s 253 complaints (40%), more than any other CX-30 model year. By area, nothing stands out. Engine and cooling leads with 66, with the electrical system (47) and forward collision avoidance (44) close behind.

What CX-30 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2020–present (1st generation)

Owner data is modest, with the 2021 drawing the most NHTSA complaints. Several NHTSA owners of the 2021 report oil consumption and low oil warnings between changes. CarComplaints owners often mention windshields, with blurry or distorted glass on the 2021 and cracks without impact on the 2023. Recalls cover power liftgates on 2020–2021 models that may lower unexpectedly on a slope, front brake caliper bolts on some 2020 models and ABS control units on some 2022–2023 models that may reduce braking. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the liftgate, brake caliper and ABS recalls.
  • Inspect the windshield for cracks and look through it for distortion.
  • Check the oil level and ask for oil change records, and on the drive confirm the brakes feel firm and the A/C blows cold.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2021 Mazda CX-30
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2021 Mazda CX-30 problems
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2023 Mazda CX-30 problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

CX-30 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every CX-30 version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

253complaints, 2020–2026
25mention a crash
1mention a fire
21injuries reported
Most complaints: 2021 (101), 2020 (33), 2022 (33)
33’20101’2133’22’25

2021 · 101 complaints

Crashes 10 · fires 0 · injuries 13

Engine49
Electrical system14
Forward collision avoidance12
Unknown or other10
Visibility/wiper9

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

CX-30 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 19 CX-30 versions for model years 2020–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 309 g/mi (2025). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

CX-302020–2026

25–29 mpg · CO₂ 309–353 g/mi

2025
29combined MPG
309CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,300EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: 4WD · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L — 29 MPG · 309 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
250300350400450202020252020 · Gas: 3132021 · Gas: 3132022 · Gas: 3342023 · Gas: 3092024 · Gas: 3092025 · Gas: 3092026 · Gas: 329
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

CX-30 vs Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2020–2026. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the CX-30, against 9 for the Honda HR-V and 15 for the Hyundai Kona. Pick a range to compare.

Mazda CX-30

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
7
NHTSA owner complaints
253
EPA combined mpg
25–29
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.5 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 66
  2. Electrical system 47
  3. Forward collision avoidance 44

Honda HR-V

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
9
NHTSA owner complaints
1,090
EPA combined mpg
27–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 424
  2. Steering 157
  3. Electrical system 114

Hyundai Kona

Model years 2020–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
15
NHTSA owner complaints
637
EPA combined mpg
23–32
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 258
  2. Electrical system 176
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 81

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mazda CX-30 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a CX-30

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Light gray Mazda CX-30 (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The CX-30 subcompact crossover carries its VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a B-pillar label are secondary locations. CX-30 uses the Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture, verify the VIN decode aligns with the correct model year, as first-year (2020) production has known build quality variations flagged in early ownership records.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Mazda CX-30 VIN questions

Which Mazda CX-30 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2021 leads with 101, ahead of the 2020 (33) and 2022 (33). Those first two alone make up 53% of the 253 CX-30 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mazda CX-30 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 7 vehicle campaigns for model years 2020–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Mazda CX-30 recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 20V-347. It should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Mazda CX-30 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2020–2026 CX-30 at 25–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mazda CX-30 compare with the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona on recalls?

For 2020–2026 models the CX-30 has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 9, the Hyundai Kona 15. Complaints run 253, 1,090 and 637 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Mazda CX-30 have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 CX-30 5 stars overall. One version, AWD, is rated.

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