
2016 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 has 137 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 mazda 3. the contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 17v393000 (parking brake) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. the contact received the recall notification in august of 2017. the dealer (romano mazda, 3120 erie blvd e, syracuse, ny, 132140) was contact. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
137
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.7x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
OTHER
32 complaints- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (ROMANO MAZDA, 3120 ERIE BLVD E, SYRACUSE, NY, 132140) WAS CONTACT
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MAZDA OF WESLEY CHAPEL (26944
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (ROMANO MAZDA, 3120 ERIE BLVD E, SYRACUSE, NY, 132140) WAS CONTACT”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ELECTRICAL
22 complaints- • MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RATS HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE ENGINE HARNESS AND OTHER WIRING. THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF CASES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS JUST LIKE THIS. THEY SAID THAT RA
- • A SENSOR (YELLOW/ORANGE COLOR) APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE SETTINGS IN THE CAR SAY "BATTERY MGT. SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". AT THE TIMES WHEN THIS ERROR IS NOT ON THE DASHBOARD, THERE IS NO MESSAGE THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. MY CAR ONLY HAS 23K MILES. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO A SENSOR CHECK
- • CMU IS ON A CONSTANT REBOOT. BROUGHT TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO BE NOTIFIED THE CMU NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR IS ONLY 3.5 YEARS OLD WITH 53K MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS BUT MAZDA WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. 1200+ FOR REPAIR. CONTACTED CORPORATE AND THEY OFFERE
“MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RATS HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE ENGINE HARNESS AND OTHER WIRING. THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF CASES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS JUST LIKE THIS. THEY SAID THAT RA”
— NHTSA complaint filing
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
14 complaints- • The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The m
- • Manufacturer Recall No 6023G NHTSA Recall No. 23V-487 Rear View Camera has NOT been repaired. How long more do I have to wait for the repairs to start? It has been over 6 months since the recall notice went out but I have had the issue for years now. Please step in and make Mazda make good on their
- • Manufacturer Recall No 6023G NHTSA Recall No. 23V-487 Rear View Camera has NOT been repaired. How long more do I have to wait for the repairs to start? It has been over 6 months since the recall notice went out but I have had the issue for years now. Please step in and make Mazda make good on their
“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The m”
— NHTSA complaint filing
BRAKES
13 complaints- • IN AUGUST I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE OF A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE LETTER INSTRUCTED US TO WAIT FOR NOTIFICATION THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN NEARLY TWO MONTHS SINCE I GOT THE NOTIFICATION. I HAVE CALLED THE COMPANY, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. BECAU
- • NO ACCIDENTS RECALLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED. DEALER CAN'T GET PARTS
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS
“IN AUGUST I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE OF A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE LETTER INSTRUCTED US TO WAIT FOR NOTIFICATION THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN NEARLY TWO MONTHS SINCE I GOT THE NOTIFICATION. I HAVE CALLED THE COMPANY, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. BECAU”
— NHTSA complaint filing
TRANSMISSION
9 complaints- • THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 7000 MILES. DEALER, HENNESSEY MAZDA IN ATLANTA SUBURBS, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY, WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY, ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO DRIVER MISUSE. DRIVER DENIES "'RIDING THE CLUTCH" AND MAJORITY OF USE WAS HIGHWAY TRAVEL. DEALER QUOTED REPAIR COST AT $1600, LATER REDUCED TO $1126.
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE
- • THIS VEHICLE CANNOT TOLERATE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF SLUSH OR SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROAD. THE WHEELS START TO SPIN AND IT GOES NOWHERE. MANY TIMES IN LIGHT WINTERY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO HANDLE THE WINTER CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY ON ANY KIND OF AN INCLINE, AND MY WHOLE COUNTY IS LOCATED ON
“THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 7000 MILES. DEALER, HENNESSEY MAZDA IN ATLANTA SUBURBS, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY, WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY, ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO DRIVER MISUSE. DRIVER DENIES "'RIDING THE CLUTCH" AND MAJORITY OF USE WAS HIGHWAY TRAVEL. DEALER QUOTED REPAIR COST AT $1600, LATER REDUCED TO $1126. ”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 137 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN AUGUST OF 2017. THE DEALER (ROMANO MAZDA, 3120 ERIE BLVD E, SYRACUSE, NY, 132140) WAS CONTACT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RATS HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE ENGINE HARNESS AND OTHER WIRING. THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF CASES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS JUST LIKE THIS. THEY SAID THAT RA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The m
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐BRAKES: IN AUGUST I RECEIVED NOTICE OF A SAFETY RECALL BECAUSE OF A BRAKE PROBLEM. THE LETTER INSTRUCTED US TO WAIT FOR NOTIFICATION THAT PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN NEARLY TWO MONTHS SINCE I GOT THE NOTIFICATION. I HAVE CALLED THE COMPANY, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. BECAU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Mazda MAZDA3 — Year Comparison
How does 2016 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 137
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 7
- Injury reports
- 1
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2016 Mazda MAZDA3