Mazda Mazda3 complaints by model year
2,987 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 52 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2020 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2019 | 74 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 2018 | 108 | 6 | 0 | 4 |
| 2017 | 83 | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 104 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| 2015 | 130 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| 2014 | 138 | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| 2013 | 117 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| 2012 | 226 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 2011 | 132 | 12 | 2 | 2 |
| 2010 | 686 | 18 | 5 | 3 |
| 2009 | 115 | 11 | 1 | 3 |
| 2008 | 303 | 29 | 1 | 2 |
| 2007 | 222 | 28 | 3 | 2 |
| 2006 | 166 | 21 | 3 | 1 |
| 2005 | 97 | 16 | 3 | 2 |
| 2004 | 145 | 18 | 2 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 2017–2026. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 27 | 26 | 15 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 20 | 30 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 6 | 15 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Mazda Mazda3 recalls (29)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Mazda3 model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V357000 | May 29, 2025 | Air Bags May Not Deploy in a Crash | 2024, 2025 | 84% |
| 24V649000 | Sep 3, 2024 | Forward Sensing Camera Malfunction | 2024 | 97.5% |
| 23V718000 | Oct 26, 2023 | Multiple Camera Images May Not Display/FMVSS 111 | 2024 | 99% |
| 23V487000 | Jul 14, 2023 | Rearview Image May Not Display Properly | 2014–2018 | 41.6% |
| 21V875000 | Nov 12, 2021 | Fuel Pump May Fail | 2018 | 86.5% |
| 21V494000 | Jul 1, 2021 | Air Bag Cover Emblem May Shatter | 2004–2007 | 6.6% |
| 21V101000 | Feb 22, 2021 | Tire Air Valve May Leak | 2021 | 96.7% |
| 20V346000 | Jun 12, 2020 | Front Brake Caliper Bolts May Loosen and Fall Off | 2020 | 98.5% |
| 19V907000 | Dec 19, 2019 | Emergency Braking Can Activate Unexpectedly | 2019, 2020 | 94.5% |
| 19V558000 | Jul 29, 2019 | Rearview Mirror Glass May Detach From Housing | 2019 | 94.8% |
| 19V514000 | Jul 5, 2019 | Head Restraint May Detach | 2019 | 97.9% |
| 19V497000 | Jun 27, 2019 | Software Error May Cause Engine Stall | 2019 | 92.5% |
| 19V425000 | Jun 7, 2019 | Wheel Lug Nuts May Loosen and Fall Off | 2019 | 99.2% |
| 19V363000 | May 14, 2019 | Incorrect Air Bag and Seat Belt Indicators | 2019 | 98.5% |
| 19V272000 | Apr 4, 2019 | Windshield Wipers may become Inoperable | 2016, 2017, 2018 | 70% |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Crash-test stars by model year
| Model year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Tested as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2025 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2024 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2023 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2022 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2021 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2020 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2018 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2017 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2016 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2015 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
| 2014 | ★★★★★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4★ | 4 dr fwd |
Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Source: NHTSA NCAP, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
Mazda Mazda3 FAQ
How many recalls has the Mazda Mazda3 had?
NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns that cover at least one Mazda Mazda3 model year from 2004 to 2026. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which Mazda Mazda3 year has the most complaints?
Among the last 15 model years with settled counts, the 2010 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (686) and the 2020 the fewest (32). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common Mazda Mazda3 problems?
Across the 2017–2026 model years, owners most often name the unknown or other, electrical system, engine in complaints filed with NHTSA.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.