15 recalls covering model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024. To check whether your vehicle is affected, look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls — a recall may apply only to some vehicles of a given year.
The control unit that decides when to fire the airbags can log an error and switch the airbags off when the vehicle's battery runs low. If that happens, the airbags will not inflate in a crash, so you lose a major piece of protection without necessarily realizing it. Dealers will reprogram the control unit with improved software, or replace the unit if needed, at no cost. Owner letters were mailed in July 2025.
The camera near the windshield that watches the road ahead may stop working properly. When that happens, three features can fail: the automatic emergency braking that stops the car for you, the lane-keep assist that nudges the steering to hold you in your lane, and the automatic switch from high beams to low beams for oncoming traffic. Your brakes, steering and headlights still work normally when you use them yourself; only the automatic helpers are affected.
A software bug in certain 2024 Mazda3 and CX-90 vehicles can keep the camera views from showing up on the center display — the backup camera, and in some cases the front and side views too. When the screen stays blank, you lose the view of what's around and behind the car that you'd normally rely on while reversing or parking. Mazda dealers reload the camera module's software at no cost to you.
The picture from the backup camera can flicker or look distorted, so the screen may not give you a clear view of what is behind you when you reverse. Your dealer will check the camera and replace it if needed, and will also add a seal that holds the wiring in place. The work is free. Mazda sent a first warning letter in September 2023, and has been mailing final repair letters state by state since August 2024.
Certain Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda2, MX-5, CX-3, CX-5 and CX-9 vehicles have a part inside the low-pressure fuel pump — the small spinning piece that pushes fuel toward the engine — that can crack and warp. When that happens the pump can quit working, and the engine can stall, meaning it shuts off while you are driving. Mazda dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
On certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 cars, the small valve you use to add air to a tire can suddenly let air escape. A tire that loses air quickly while you are driving can make the car pull or become hard to steer, and you may not get much warning before it happens. Mazda is replacing the valves on all four tires so the problem cannot occur.
On these 2020 Mazda3 and CX-30 cars, the bolts that hold the front brake calipers may not have been tightened enough at the factory. The caliper is the part that squeezes the brake pads against the wheel to slow the car down. If it loosens, the brakes may not stop the car as well as they should, or the loose part can rub against the spinning wheel and upset how the car handles. Dealers check and tighten the bolts, or replace the caliper, free.
This Mazda3 has an automatic emergency braking system that watches the road ahead and stops the car if it senses something in the way. On these vehicles it can be fooled — it may detect an obstacle that isn't really there and apply the brakes on its own, bringing the car to a sudden stop in traffic. The fix is new software for the braking system, plus a dashboard display update or replacement and a new owner's manual on some cars.
On some Mazda3s with a manual dimming rearview mirror — the kind you flip by hand at night — the glue holding the mirror to its housing may not have bonded properly. The mirror can come loose and fall off, leaving you without a view straight back through the rear window. Cars with auto-dimming mirrors are not affected. Dealers will replace the whole inside mirror assembly at no charge.
On some 2019 Mazda3s, the fabric covering the front seats presses on the small button that unlocks the headrest. The button can get stuck in the released position, which means the headrest never clicks and locks at the height you set. It can slide or move loosely instead of staying put. A headrest that does not lock will not support your head properly in a crash, making neck and head injuries more likely. Dealers install small spacers under the buttons.
The computer that controls the engine has a software bug. Because of it, the engine can stall without warning. Losing engine power in traffic or at speed is dangerous. The repair is simple: a dealer reloads corrected software into that computer, free of charge, and no parts are replaced. The recall began August 20, 2019, so check your VIN even if you bought the car used and never received a letter from Mazda.
On certain 2019 Mazda3 cars, the lug nuts that hold the wheels onto the vehicle may not be tight enough and can work themselves loose over time. This can happen on any of the four wheels. If the nuts loosen far enough, a wheel can come off the car while you are driving. You might notice a clicking, rattling, or vibration from a wheel before it happens, but you should not count on a warning.
Because of a software error, the light that tells you the front passenger airbag has been switched off can go out even though the airbag is still off. The seat belt reminder lights for the front passenger seat and the back seats can also go out even when those belts are unbuckled. So you may think everyone is buckled, or that the airbag is on, when it isn't. Dealers replace the indicator unit free.
Certain 2016 through 2018 Mazda3 cars have a faulty relay, a small electrical switch, that controls the windshield wipers. If it fails, the wipers stop working. In rain or snow, that leaves you with a windshield you cannot clear, and you may not be able to see the road well enough to drive safely. A dealer replaces the body control module with a new one that uses a better wiper relay design.
Some 2018 Mazda3s were built with the wrong exhaust valve springs inside the engine. These small springs help the engine's valves open and close, and the wrong ones can break while you are driving. If one fails, the engine can stall, meaning it suddenly stops running while you are on the road. Mazda dealers will inspect the engine and replace any wrong springs free of charge. Ask for this check even if the car runs fine.
Complaints owners have filed with NHTSA about the Mazda MAZDA3. These are unverified reports; better-selling years collect more.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 108 | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | 74 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 49 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Recalls and complaint record for one model year at a time: