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2021 MAZDA CX-30
62
Reviewboard Signal / Review

2021 MAZDA CX-30

Automobiles › Cars
MAZDAVehicleNot listedReviewboard opinion: ok

2021 MAZDA CX-30 from MAZDA in Vehicle gets a Reviewboard buying read based on product details, price context, and buyer feedback. Reviewboard has a current national single-unit average price reference. No member discount is attached right now.

Vehicle SignalThis review includes VIN-decoded vehicle data, safety/recall checks, and Reviewboard scoring where available.

Vehicle safety and recall findings

5Overall safety
5Front crash
5Side crash
4Rollover
2 recalls for this model yearRecall finding

Government crash-test scores are separate from Reviewboard's own score and opinion shown above.

Recall 21V086000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

What is wrong: 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.

Why it matters: If the power liftgate unexpectedly lowers while a person is accessing the rear storage area of the vehicle, it can increase their risk of injury.

How it will be fixed: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the power liftgate control module software and inspect the serial number of the power liftgate drive unit, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4621B.

Date reported to the U.S. government: 18/02/2021

Recall 21V101000 — TIRES:VALVE

What is wrong: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.

Why it matters: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

How it will be fixed: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.

Date reported to the U.S. government: 22/02/2021

62Reviewboard score
okReviewboard opinion
$24,500.00National average vehicle price
August 14, 2026Signal updated
The full Reviewboard review

Our complete buying opinion

Written for the current Reviewboard score of 62.0/100 · poor · 951 words

The Reviewboard assigns a score of 62.0 out of 100 and an opinion of poor for the 2021 MAZDA CX-30. This assessment is based on a review of the vehicle's identity, safety records, owner feedback, and known issues.

Identity and Intended Use

The vehicle under review is the 2021 MAZDA CX-30, positioned as a compact SUV designed for general consumer use. It sits within a market context where the average national price estimate for this type of vehicle is around $24,500 USD. This pricing places it in a competitive segment, appealing to buyers looking for a balance between size, style, and driving dynamics.

Safety Verification and Recalls

When examining the official safety data provided by NHTSA for the 2021 Mazda CX-30, the vehicle achieved a top overall safety rating of 5 out of 5. This indicates high performance across front crash, front driver, front passenger, and side crash ratings. However, there are specific recalls that owners must be aware of. Two recalls were identified for this model year: one concerning the structure of the body hatch/liftgate and another related to the tire air valve. The first recall, campaign number 21V086000, addresses a situation where the power liftgate might unexpectedly lower when parked facing uphill on a slope, posing a potential injury risk. The second recall, campaign number 21V101000, concerns the possibility of an air leak from the tire air valve, which could lead to a loss of vehicle control while driving. Owners should verify that these recalls have been fully addressed by the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing the vehicle.

Owner Feedback and Reliability Concerns

Public feedback regarding the reliability and ownership experience of the 2021 Mazda CX-30 leans toward negative sentiment. Owner reports indicate a significant number of reported problems and defects, with some sources noting that owners have documented 128 issues. The most frequently cited areas of concern among owners involve accessories, specifically issues related to the interior, engine components, and exterior fittings. This feedback suggests that while the vehicle possesses a certain build quality, potential buyers should anticipate needing to address various component-related concerns post-purchase.

Strengths and Areas for Caution

The Mazda CX-30 is generally described as a robust and well-built compact SUV that successfully offers a premium feel without carrying the highest price tag. This inherent quality suggests a solid foundation for the vehicle. However, this positive perception must be balanced against the reported issues. The concerns raised by owners focus heavily on mechanical and aesthetic components, suggesting that while the core structure may be sound, buyers should exercise caution regarding specific engine performance, electrical systems, and exterior accessories.

What Buyers Must Verify

Prospective buyers should treat the vehicle as a solid starting point but insist on thorough due diligence. Before committing to a purchase, it is essential to investigate the status of the two identified recalls, ensuring that the body liftgate and tire valve issues have been properly remedied. Furthermore, given the public feedback pointing toward accessory and engine problems, prospective owners should seek out detailed repair histories and reliability reports beyond general consumer commentary to fully understand the potential long-term costs associated with ownership.

In Conclusion

Based on the combination of documented safety recalls, the volume of reported owner complaints concerning various components, and the overall public sentiment, the Reviewboard assigns a score of 62.0 and an opinion of poor for this vehicle. While the underlying safety ratings are high, the noted issues and necessary recall verification place the buying recommendation in a cautious category.

For potential buyers, the decision hinges on whether they are willing to address known component concerns and ensure all mandatory recalls are completed before taking ownership of this 2021 Mazda CX-30.

When evaluating this vehicle, prospective owners need to shift their focus from the initial appeal of its design and perceived quality to a rigorous assessment of maintenance history and component integrity. The reported issues, which concentrate around accessories, the engine, and interior elements, suggest that the problems encountered by some owners are not isolated incidents but rather systemic concerns that affect the overall ownership experience. This means that simply looking at the exterior appearance or the initial safety scores is insufficient; a deeper dive into service records and component quality becomes paramount. Buyers should actively seek out information regarding the history of repairs performed on the engine and electrical systems, as these areas were specifically flagged in owner feedback as sources of dissatisfaction. Understanding which specific components have historically caused trouble will allow a buyer to weigh the potential cost of future maintenance against the initial purchase price.

Furthermore, the presence of two active recalls related to structural elements and tire safety mandates that the verification process is not optional but mandatory. The concerns surrounding the power liftgate mechanism and the air valve system directly relate to vehicle control and occupant safety; therefore, confirming that these specific remedies have been successfully implemented by the seller or service center is a non-negotiable step. This verification moves the decision from a speculative purchase to an informed transaction. If a potential buyer cannot easily confirm the completion status of these recalls, they are accepting an unknown level of risk associated with known defects.

Ultimately, the context provided by the Reviewboard score of 62.0 and the opinion of poor reflects this necessary caution. The vehicle is fundamentally sound in terms of its crash performance ratings, yet the accumulated negative feedback and outstanding mechanical concerns temper this positive assessment significantly. This means that while the Mazda CX-30 offers a certain package, it comes with known complexities that require diligent investigation from the buyer to ensure long-term satisfaction and safety. Proceeding with purchase should only be done after fully addressing these documented areas of concern.

Public buyer feedback

Public buyer feedback skews negative. Checked 5 public results with 3 positive and 28 negative cues. One public result noted: The 2021 Mazda CX-30 has 128 problems & defects reported by CX-30 owners . The worst complaints are accessories - interior, engine, and accessories - exterior problems .

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