Service bulletins for the 2016 Mazda CX-3
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
658 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
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Only bulletins with component: Suspension are shown. Show all
| SA-051-25 | 2025-12-05. Service bulletin. STEERING; SUSPENSION; POWER TRAIN; WHEELS. Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three primary categories: Noise, Vibration, or Harshness. Many customer complaints may involve overlapping symptoms, such as both noise and vibration, so identifying the dominant characteristic is critical. Once the primary symptom is determined, follow the appropriate diagnostic path. For example, if a concern includes both noise and vibration but is related to vehicle speed, the vibration diagnostic path should be followed. When considering component replacement during the diagnostic process, it is best practice to start with the lowest cost or most accessible part unless diagnostic evidence clearly identifies a more expensive or complex component as the root cause. This approach helps minimize repair costs and avoids unnecessary part replacements. For example, a growling or bearing whine noise may be mistakenly attributed to internal components in the differential, transfer unit, or transmission, when the actual source is a wheel bearing. Misdiagnosis like this can lead to unnecessary repairs, added time and cost. To help prevent this, always follow the guidelines in the repair procedure. |
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| 02-004-22a | 2022-12-02. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 02-004-22 | 2022-06-04. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| SA-006-22 | 2022-03-04. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING; POWER TRAIN. There have been warranty claims submitted for growling or bearing whine noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel bearing. This misdiagnosis can lead to multiple repair attempts, warranty debits, and additional inconvenience and/or cost to the customer. To reduce the chance of this occurring, please follow the steps outlined in the repair procedure. |
| 02-010-16-3170 | 2021-01-28. Service bulletin. STEERING; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER. Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving on rough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped. |
| 07-004-16 | 2021-01-25. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Auto A/C blows warm air |
| 02-002-20-3651 | 2020-01-23. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 02-005-19-3503a | 2019-05-30. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION. Some vehicles may experience a creaking noise from the front shock absorber when going over bumps. Upon inspection, the coil spring is found to be broken at the lower part without any trace of an accident. It may be found during maintenance or service opportunity without customer complaints. Mud and sand caught between the coil spring and the lower spring seat causes paint damage on the coil spring, resulting in rust holes and uneven force application. To correct this issue, the shape of the lower spring seat has been modified. |
| SA-016-19 | 2019-04-25. Service bulletin. WHEELS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING. There have been warranty claims submitted for noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel bearing. This misdiagnosis can lead to multiple repair attempts, warranty debits, and additional inconvenience and/or cost to the customer. To reduce the chance of this occurring, please follow the steps outlined in the repair procedure. |
| 02-003-19-3547 | 2019-02-19. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Beginning with the CX-5, grip type front and rear stabilizer bushings have been incorporated for noise prevention purposes. If any type of grease or lubrication is applied to the bushings, it may create noise due to bushing slippage. |
| 02-001-19-3550 | 2019-02-19. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 02-014-18-3503 | 2018-10-09. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER. Some vehicles may experience a creaking noise from the front shock absorber when going over bumps. Upon inspection, the coil spring is found to be broken at the lower part without any trace of an accident. It may be found during maintenance or service opportunity without customer complaints. Mud and sand caught between the coil spring and the lower spring seat causes paint damage on the coil spring, resulting in rust holes and uneven force application. To correct this issue, the shape of the lower spring seat has been modified. |
| 02-013-18-3491 | 2018-08-20. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Some vehicles may exhibit a crack on the front shock absorber dust boot (1). This may be caused by the dust boot having insufficient resistance to the cold. The shape and material of the dust boot has been changed to improve its resistance to cold. |
| 02-006-18-3449 | 2018-04-23. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER. Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 02-005-18-3444 | 2018-04-23. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. Beginning with the CX-5, grip type front and rear stabilizer bushings have been incorporated for noise prevention purposes. If any type of grease or lubrication is applied to the bushings, it may create noise due to bushing slippage. |
| 02-002-18-3300d | 2018-03-05. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER. Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving onrough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped.The noise may be due to: Upper front strut bearing (A) damage. (CX-5 and Mazda6) Squeak type noise between the front strut bearing and coil spring. (CX-3, CX-5 and Mazda6) The bump stopper (C) may be contacting the strut bearing when the front shock absorber is compressed, causing a popping noise. (Mazda6 only) The front lower arm bushing (D) is making a creak type noise in wet road conditions. (CX-5 and Mazda6).Front Shock Absorber Front Lower Arm To eliminate the noise, the following mass-production changes have been made: 1. The material and production method of the front strut bearing (A) has been changed. (CX-5 and Mazda6) 2. A protector has been installed onto the coil spring. (CX-5 and Mazda6) 3. The shape of the bump stopper (C) will be modified in the future. (Mazda6 only) 4. The shape of the coil spring has been changed. (CX-3 only) 5. Friction of the lower arm bushing has been reduced by adding a dry coating. (CX-5 and Mazda6). NOTE: The piston rod nut (B) requires replacement. |
| 02-003-17-3300b | 2017-10-21. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER. Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving on rough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped.The noise may be due to:? Upper front strut bearing (A) damage. (CX-5 and Mazda6)? Squeak type noise between the front strut bearing and coil spring. (CX-3, CX-5 and Mazda6)? The bump stopper (C) may be contacting the strut bearing when the front shock absorber is compressed, causing a popping noise. (Mazda6 only)? The front lower arm bushing (D) is making a creak type noise in wet road conditions. (CX-5 and Mazda6). |
| 02-003-17-3300c | 2017-10-04. Service bulletin. STEERING; SUSPENSION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving on rough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped. The noise may be due to: Upper front strut bearing (A) damage. (CX-5 and Mazda6). Squeak type noise between the front strut bearing and coil spring. (CX-3, CX-5 and Mazda6). The bump stopper (C) may be contacting the strut bearing when the front shock absorber is compressed, causing a popping noise. (Mazda6 only). The front lower arm bushing (D) is making a creak type noise in wet road conditions. (CX-5 and Mazda6). |
| 02-003-17-3300a | 2017-08-10. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER; SUSPENSION; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking / squeaking noise from the front shock absorber when driving on rough roads and/or when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stopped. The noise may be due to: *upper front strut bearing (A) damage. (CX-5 and Mazda6) *squeak type noise between the front strut bearing and coil spring. (CX-3, CX-5 and Mazda6) *the bump stopper (C) may be contacting the strut bearing when the front shock absorber is compressed, causing a popping noise. (Mazda6 only) *The front lower arm bushing (D) is making a creak type noise in wet road conditions. (CX-5, Mazda6 and CX-9). |
| 02-003-15-2990A | 2017-06-08. Service bulletin. STEERING; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A KNOCKING / SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS AND/OR WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THE NOISE MAY BE DUE TO: • UPPER FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) DAMAGE. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6) • STICK/SLIP BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT BEARING AND COIL SPRING. • THE BUMP STOPPER (C) MAY BE CONTACTING THE STRUT BEARING WHEN THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER IS COMPRESSED, CAUSING A POPPING NOISE. (MAZDA6 ONLY) TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE, THE FOLLOWING MASS-PRODUCTION CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE: 1. THE MATERIAL AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF THE FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6) 2. A PROTECTOR HAS BEEN INSTALLED ONTO THE COIL SPRING. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6) 3. THE SHAPE OF THE BUMP STOPPER (C) WILL BE MODIFIED IN THE FUTURE. (MAZDA6 ONLY) 4. THE SHAPE OF THE COIL SPRING HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-3 ONLY) NOTE: THE PISTON ROD NUT (B) REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. |
| 02-005-16-3152A | 2017-05-30. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR. BEGINNING WITH THE CX-5 AND MAZDA6 MODELS, GRIP TYPE FRONT AND REAR STABILIZER BUSHINGS HAVE BEEN INCORPO-RATED FOR NOISE PREVENTION PURPOSES. IF ANY TYPE OF GREASE OR LUBRICATION IS APPLIED TO THE BUSHINGS, IT MAY CREATE NOISE DUE TO BUSHING SLIPPAGE. |
| 02-010-16-3170 | 2017-05-30. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A KNOCKING / SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS AND/OR WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THE NOISE MAY BE DUE TO:•UPPER FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) DAMAGE. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)•STICK/SLIP BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT BEARING AND COIL SPRING. (CX-3, CX-5 AND MAZDA6)•THE BUMP STOPPER (C) MAY BE CONTACTING THE STRUT BEARING WHEN THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER IS COMPRESSED, CAUSING A POPPING NOISE. (MAZDA6 ONLY)•THE FRONT LOWER ARM BUSHING (D) IS MAKING A STICK-SLIP NOISE IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE, THE FOLLOWING MASS-PRODUCTION CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE:1. THE MATERIAL AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF THE FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)2. A PROTECTOR HAS BEEN INSTALLED ONTO THE COIL SPRING. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)3. THE SHAPE OF THE BUMP STOPPER (C) WILL BE MODIFIED IN THE FUTURE. (MAZDA6 ONLY)4. THE SHAPE OF THE COIL SPRING HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-3 ONLY)5. FRICTION OF THE LOWER ARM BUSHING HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ADDING A DRY COATING. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)NOTE:THE PISTON ROD NUT (B) REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. |
| 02-010-16-3170 | 2017-02-27. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A KNOCKING / SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS AND/OR WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THE NOISE MAY BE DUE TO:•UPPER FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) DAMAGE. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)•STICK/SLIP BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT BEARING AND COIL SPRING. (CX-3, CX-5 AND MAZDA6)•THE BUMP STOPPER (C) MAY BE CONTACTING THE STRUT BEARING WHEN THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER IS COMPRESSED, CAUSING A POPPING NOISE. (MAZDA6 ONLY)•THE FRONT LOWER ARM BUSHING (D) IS MAKING A STICK-SLIP NOISE IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6).TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE, THE FOLLOWING MASS-PRODUCTION CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE:1. THE MATERIAL AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF THE FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)2. A PROTECTOR HAS BEEN INSTALLED ONTO THE COIL SPRING. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)3. THE SHAPE OF THE BUMP STOPPER (C) WILL BE MODIFIED IN THE FUTURE. (MAZDA6 ONLY)4. THE SHAPE OF THE COIL SPRING HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-3 ONLY)5. FRICTION OF THE LOWER ARM BUSHING HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ADDING A DRY COATING. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)NOTE:THE PISTON ROD NUT (B) REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. |
| 02-014-16-3235 | 2017-02-23. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT OIL SEEPAGE FROM THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER(S) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON A HOIST (I.E. DURING NORMAL MAINTENANCE OR OTHER SERVICE). CHECK THE LABEL ON BOTH REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS FOR THE LOT NUMBER (EXAMPLE: RA5 IS THE LOT NUMBER SHOWN IN THE ILLUSTRATION BELOW). IF THE LOT NUMBERS ARE WITHIN THE PRODUCTION RANGE SHOWN IN THE TABLE BELOW, REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS WITH NEW ONES. |
| 02-010-16-3170C | 2017-02-16. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A KNOCKING / SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS AND/OR WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THE NOISE MAY BE DUE TO:•UPPER FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) DAMAGE. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)•STICK/SLIP BETWEEN THE FRONT STRUT BEARING AND COIL SPRING. (CX-3, CX-5 AND MAZDA6)•THE BUMP STOPPER (C) MAY BE CONTACTING THE STRUT BEARING WHEN THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER IS COMPRESSED, CAUSING A POPPING NOISE. (MAZDA6 ONLY)•THE FRONT LOWER ARM BUSHING (D) IS MAKING A STICK-SLIP NOISE IN WET ROAD CONDITIONS. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6). TO ELIMINATE THE NOISE, THE FOLLOWING MASS-PRODUCTION CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE:1. THE MATERIAL AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF THE FRONT STRUT BEARING (A) HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)2. A PROTECTOR HAS BEEN INSTALLED ONTO THE COIL SPRING. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)3. THE SHAPE OF THE BUMP STOPPER (C) WILL BE MODIFIED IN THE FUTURE. (MAZDA6 ONLY)4. THE SHAPE OF THE COIL SPRING HAS BEEN CHANGED. (CX-3 ONLY)5. FRICTION OF THE LOWER ARM BUSHING HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ADDING A DRY COATING. (CX-5 AND MAZDA6)NOTE:THE PISTON ROD NUT (B) REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.