RecallMyCar

2016 Mazda MAZDA3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, and owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
104
owner complaints to NHTSA
7 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire

6 safety recalls for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. 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,…

  2. 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…

  3. 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…

  4. 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…

  5. 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…

  6. 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…

104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 49,873 miles. Complaints peaked in 2024 with 23 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“After speaking with Mazda customer support, the sales department at Germain Mazda of Columbus, and the service department of Mazda Columbus, I have come to learn that in response to recall 1217F | XXX”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 11, 2026 · Service brakes

“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3.The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated t”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 12, 2026 · Steering

Compare Mazda MAZDA3 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Mazda MAZDA3 model year in NHTSA's database.

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

Checking a specific 2016 Mazda MAZDA3

How do I know if my 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mazda dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 15V621000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

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.