RecallMyCar

Mazda MAZDA3 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 29 safety recalls and 2,987 owner complaints across 23 model years of the Mazda MAZDA3 (2004–2026). The most-complained-about year is 2010.

29
safety recalls, all years
2,987
owner complaints, all years
2016
year with most recalls
2010
year with most complaints

Pick your Mazda MAZDA3 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2026 Mazda MAZDA301
2025 Mazda MAZDA318
2024 Mazda MAZDA3312
2023 Mazda MAZDA3012
2022 Mazda MAZDA3024
2021 Mazda MAZDA3152
2020 Mazda MAZDA3232
2019 Mazda MAZDA3674
2018 Mazda MAZDA34108
2017 Mazda MAZDA3283
2016 Mazda MAZDA36104
2015 Mazda MAZDA34130
2014 Mazda MAZDA34138
2013 Mazda MAZDA31117
2012 Mazda MAZDA31226
2011 Mazda MAZDA32132
2010 Mazda MAZDA33686
2009 Mazda MAZDA33115
2008 Mazda MAZDA32303
2007 Mazda MAZDA32222
2006 Mazda MAZDA31166
2005 Mazda MAZDA3297
2004 Mazda MAZDA32145

What Mazda MAZDA3 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 2,987 complaints with NHTSA. The 2010 model year has the most, with 686.

All Mazda MAZDA3 recalls (29)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Mazda MAZDA3, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Software (air bags)

    NHTSA 25V357000 Reported 171,412 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda3 and CX30 vehicles. The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the SAS unit with improved software or replace the unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7525E.

    Model years: 2024, 2025

  2. Camera (lane departure) and 2 other components

    NHTSA 24V649000 Reported 672 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the forward sensing camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option…

    Model years: 2024

  3. Camera (forward collision avoidance) and 2 other components

    NHTSA 23V718000 Reported 11,903 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 and MAZDA3 vehicles. Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Remedy: Dealers will update the view monitor control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's…

    Model years: 2024

  4. Camera (back over prevention)

    NHTSA 23V487000 Reported 236,100 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters,…

    Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

  5. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 21V875000 Reported 121,038 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

    Model years: 2018

  6. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 21V494000 Reported 260,915 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's…

    Model years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

  7. Valve (tires)

    NHTSA 21V101000 Reported 599 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

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

    Remedy: 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…

    Model years: 2021

  8. Caliper (service brakes)

    NHTSA 20V346000 Reported 24,037 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of…

    Model years: 2020

  9. Automatic emergency braking (forward collision avoidance)

    NHTSA 19V907000 Reported 35,390 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's…

    Model years: 2019, 2020

  10. Glass, side/rear (visibility)

    NHTSA 19V558000 Reported 22,571 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing. Note: Vehicles equipped with auto dimming mirrors are not affected by this…

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4.…

    Model years: 2019

  11. Head restraint (seats)

    NHTSA 19V514000 Reported 9,430 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda…

    Model years: 2019

  12. Power train: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and engine

    NHTSA 19V497000 Reported 262,220 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this…

    Model years: 2019

  13. Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (wheels)

    NHTSA 19V425000 Reported 25,003 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the front and rear wheel lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at…

    Model years: 2019

  14. Instrument cluster/panel (electrical system) and warning light/devices (seat belts)

    NHTSA 19V363000 Reported 17,016 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may…

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500,…

    Model years: 2019

  15. Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)

    NHTSA 19V272000 Reported 187,880 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda…

    Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018

  16. Exhaust system (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 17V745000 Reported 144 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer…

    Model years: 2018

  17. Parking brake

    NHTSA 17V393000 Reported 227,814 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the…

    Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016

  18. Seats

    NHTSA 17V082000 Reported 173,859 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2011 Mazda2 and 2010-2011 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles equipped with a manual seat lifter. In the affected vehicles, the seat height adjustment lifter links may break or detach from the seat frame and the seat angle may incline causing the driver to not be able to maintain…

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat lifter links and install a reinforcement bracket to the lifter links, or replace the entire seat adjuster unit, free of charge. The recall began April 7,…

    Model years: 2010, 2011

  19. Storage (fuel system)

    NHTSA 16V685000 Reported 3,849 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may…

    Model years: 2016

  20. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 16V684000 Reported 17,484 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and…

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda…

    Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016

  21. Hatchback/liftgate (structure)

    NHTSA 16V644000 Reported 580,455 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles…

    Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's…

    Model years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

  22. Tank assembly (fuel system) Do not drive

    NHTSA 15V621000 Reported 14,411 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may…

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The…

    Model years: 2015, 2016

  23. Alternator/generator/regulator (electrical system)

    NHTSA 14V173000 Reported 5,700 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the…

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.

    Model years: 2014

  24. Motor (visibility)

    NHTSA 11V329000 Reported 103,300 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA MOTOR CORP

    Mazda is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 mazda3 and mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured from january 7, 2008, through november 28, 2008. The ground terminal of the windshield wiper motor may have been inadvertently bent during assembly. If this condition exists then over time the electrical resistance of the motor circuit may…

    Remedy: Dealers will install an additional ground harness on the wiper motor free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before july 15, 2011. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at…

    Model years: 2008, 2009

  25. Electric power assist system (steering)

    NHTSA 10V374000 Reported 215,000 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA MOTOR CORP

    Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 mazda3 and mazda5 vehicles manufactured from april 2, 2007 through november 30, 2008. These vehicles may have a condition in which a sudden loss of power steering assist could occur at any time while driving the vehicle.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump and lines free of charge. The safety recall began on september 15, 2010. Owners may contact mazda customer assistance center at 1-800-222-5500.

    Model years: 2007, 2008, 2009

  26. Electronic stability control (esc)

    NHTSA 09V187000 Reported 7,100 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA MOTOR CORP

    Mazda is recalling 7,100 my 2009 mazda3 vehicles equipped with dynamic stability control for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 126, "electronic stability control system". The yaw rate measured after completion of the sine with dwell steering input exceeded the test standards.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and have the unit replaced free of charge. The recall began on july 14, 2009. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

    Model years: 2009

  27. Electrical system

    NHTSA 09V126000 Reported 25,400 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA MOTOR CORP

    Mazda is recalling 25,400 my 2010 mazda3 vehicles. A clearance between the engine harness and the housing of starter motor may be insufficient. Due to this, the covering of the harness may be damaged through vibration during operation possibly causing a short-circuit between certain harness wires and the starter housing. A short-circuit…

    Remedy: Dealers will have the engine harness inspect and add a protector clip on the affected section of the harness. If necessary, the harness will be repaired. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall is…

    Model years: 2010

  28. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 04V559000 Reported 2 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

    On two passenger vehicles, a crack in the solder connection attaching the acceleration sensor in the sas unit made contact with the base plate, damaging the solder connection.

    Remedy: Dealers repaired these vehicles. The two vehicle owners were contacted by telephone on november 22, 2004, and these vehicles have been repaired.

    Model years: 2005

  29. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 04V468000 Reported 42,000 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

    On certain passenger vehicles, a crack in the air bag crash zone sensor housing can allow water to enter the sensor, causing a short circuit and illuminating the air bag warning light.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the crash zone sensor and replace it, if necessary. The recall began on october 28, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

    Model years: 2004

Other Mazda models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.