NHTSA Data Explorer
Mazda 3
Data refreshed May 30, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Mazda 3.
Complaints
3,090
Active records
Recalls
32
Active records
TSBs
2,076
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
2
Injuries
165
Crashes
223
Fires
33
Top reported issues — Mazda 3
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Operating state
Reporting mechanism
Steering behavior
Thermal issue
Safety restraint issue
Driver assistance issue
Noise
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Braking behavior
Engine behavior
Infotainment behavior
Lighting behavior
Performance issue
Electrical issue
Vibration/harshness
Safety restraint behavior
Fluid issue
Starting behavior
Smell
Powering on/off behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Access/entry issue
Recent change
HVAC behavior
Ride/handling behavior
Communication/network issue
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
2025 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed May 23, 2026
The vehicle was involved in a rear and side impact collision and the car was totaled on 5/14/2026. The air bags did not deploy. There was a recall on the air bag system immediately after purchase 6/28/2025 and it was taken in July of 2025 to Mazda of Columbia, SC and it was “repaired.” The airbags of the truck that collided with the Mazda did deploy.
2016 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed May 12, 2026
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 that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various speeds. The contact also stated that the steering wheel felt loose while driving at high speeds, fearing that he would lose control of the vehicle if he did not firmly grip the steering wheel. The contact…
2025 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed May 5, 2026
I am reporting a catastrophic failure of the rear seatbelt restraint system in my 2025 Mazda 3. The rear seatbelt guide geometry is badly designed, allowing the webbing to bunch and jam during normal operation. This physical obstruction prevents the seatbelt from retracting, leading to three severe safety hazards: 1) Total failure to restrain occupants. 2) Structural damage to the vehicle's safety cell. 3) Public hazard where the obstructed door rebounded open into oncoming traffic. …
2017 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed Apr 16, 2026
Many modern trucks, SUVs, and cars use LED headlights that are excessively bright and create dangerous glare. When approaching these vehicles from the opposite direction, the headlights can be blinding — similar to having a flashlight shined directly into your eyes — causing temporary loss of visibility. The glare also affects drivers traveling in the same direction, as the intense light reflects sharply off rear‑view and side mirrors. This creates a persistent distraction and makes it…
2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed Apr 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, or while attempting to reverse, the rear camera flashed on and off for approximately five minutes and then started working as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) by the owner of the vehicle; however, the fix failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the recall…
2010 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed Apr 4, 2026
The AT light came on the dash, added transmission fluid because it was a little low but the light still has not gone off. I think there is an electrical problem within the transmission. It's had shifting issues since purchasing this vehicle. I also have a small child that comes with me to work and I do not want my car to catch on fire while we are in this vehicle.
2026 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed Apr 3, 2026
Steering sticks in one direction doesn’t recenter by itself stiff while driving even city or freeway
2014 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed Mar 25, 2026
The rear backup sensors no longer work and did not give any indication they stopped working. They do not detect cars driving up from behind when driving or switching lanes or objects or people behind the car anymore when you reverse. This happened without any notice or warning indications.
2018 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed Mar 24, 2026
While I was driving on the highway, I went to use my front wipers and there was no response when trying to active them. The rear wiper, front and rear washer fluid sprayers all worked. No warning lights or other signs of failure were present. I took the car to a local repair shop and they diagnosed it as a bad Body Control Module. Once the module was replaced and reprogrammed, the wipers worked as intended. Safety Recall 3219D describes the issue I had perfecly. My VIN is out of the range of…
2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
Filed Mar 24, 2026
While parked on a slight downhill grade, gasoline started leaking and created a significant puddle on the ground. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. An independent service center ran numerous tests over two days, including a smoke test. Diagnosis: There is a hole in top section of fuel tank and the fuel tank needs replaced. Recommendation was to not drive vehicle with fuel tank over half full. Due to the potential of leaking fuel in the presence of a hot ignition source increasing…