Mazda Mazda3 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mazda Mazda3 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (32) and the 2010 the most (686).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Steering | 5★ | — |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
8 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | — |
| 2023 | 12 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
12 | 3 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2022 | 24 | 0 | Air bags | 5★ | — |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
32 | 2 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | — |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
52 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | — |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
74 | 6 | Service brakes | — | — |
| 2017 | 83 | 2 | Unknown or other | 5★ | — |
| 2016 | 104 | 6 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2018 | 108 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2009 | 115 | 3 | Steering | — | — |
| 2013 | 117 | 1 | Exterior lighting | 4★ | — |
| 2015 | 130 | 4 | Service brakes | 5★ | — |
| 2011 | 132 | 2 | Air bags | 4★ | — |
| 2014 | 138 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | — |
| 2007 | 222 | 2 | Steering | — | — |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
226 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | — |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
303 | 2 | Steering | — | — |
| 2010 Among the most complaints |
686 | 3 | Structure | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mazda Mazda3 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2010 Mazda Mazda3: 686 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 169 (25%); Seats 106 (15%); Visibility/wiper 100 (15%).
Reports mention 18 crashes, 5 fires, 13 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 59,537 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Mazda Mazda3: 303 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 117 (39%); Tires 41 (14%); Wheels 33 (11%).
Reports mention 29 crashes, 1 fire, 20 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,092 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Mazda Mazda3: 226 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 40 (18%); Engine 32 (14%); Exterior lighting 31 (14%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 1 fire, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 40,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
The Mazda Mazda3 years with the fewest complaints
2020 Mazda Mazda3: 32 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 15 (47%); Electrical system 3 (9%); Service brakes 3 (9%).
2 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Mazda Mazda3: 52 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 19 (37%); Forward collision avoidance 7 (13%); Electrical system 6 (12%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
2019 Mazda Mazda3: 74 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 15 (20%); Electrical system 11 (15%); Engine 11 (15%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 5,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mazda Mazda3 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2022 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 52 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 74 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5,000 |
| 2018 | 108 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 29,850 |
| 2017 | 83 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28,692 |
| 2016 | 104 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 37,500 |
| 2015 | 130 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 33,500 |
| 2014 | 138 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2013 | 117 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 41,000 |
| 2012 | 226 | 9 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2011 | 132 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 45,100 |
| 2010 | 686 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 59,537 |
| 2009 | 115 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 33,681 |
| 2008 | 303 | 29 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 40,092 |
| 2007 | 222 | 28 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 73,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mazda Mazda3 recalls
- Rear Lift Gate may Fall if Lift Gate Stays Corrode (2010–2013 model years; 580,455 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V644000)
- Software Error May Cause Engine Stall (2019 model year; 262,220 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2019; 19V497000)
- Air Bag Cover Emblem May Shatter (2004–2007 model years; 260,915 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2021; 21V494000)
- Rearview Image May Not Display Properly (2014–2018 model years; 236,100 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2023; 23V487000)
- Parking Brake Actuators may Corrode (2014–2016 model years; 227,814 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2017; 17V393000)
All 29 Mazda Mazda3 recall campaigns · Mazda Mazda3 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mazda Mazda3 years FAQ
Which Mazda Mazda3 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (32). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mazda Mazda3 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2010, 2008 and 2012 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mazda Mazda3 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (331 of 2,579 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mazda Mazda3 have?
NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns covering the Mazda Mazda3. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mazda Mazda3 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.