2018 Mazda MAZDA3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 has 139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2018 mazda 3. the contact stated that she was experiencing different electrical failures with the vehicle. the contact stated that the passenger side seat belt warning chime sounded when the seat was unoccupied. the contact had to buckle the seat beat to stop the warning sound.

7 crash reports 7 injuries

139

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

30 complaints

22%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SOUNDED WHEN THE SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BEAT TO STOP THE WARNING SOUND
• THE BATTERY IN MY 2018 MAZDA 3 (TOURING) HAS DIED 3 TIMES IN ABOUT YEAR'S TIME. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS JUST A FLUKE--THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ANYTHING. THEY PUT A BRAND NEW BATTERY IN. AFTER THE SECOND BATTERY DIED, THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T MAKING
• THE CHARGE WARNING SYSTEM CAME ON AND THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IT HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 3RD AND I HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT ON FEBRUARY THE 9TH 2021 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET LOOKED AT MY MAZDA AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITHOUT HAVING THE IN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SOUNDED WHEN THE SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BEAT TO STOP THE WARNING SOUND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

25 complaints

18%

• I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY QUIET BOULEVARD IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY. I WAS THERE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD MULTIPLE VERY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE TOP OF OUR CAR, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE SUNROOF OR OUR 6-MONTH OLD 2018 MAZDA 3 HAD JUST EXPLODED!
• ON 2/14/19 BETWEEN 2:30 AND 3 P.M., MY MOTHER (MELISSA DODSON) WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (A 2004 GMC ENVOY) THAT RESULTED IN BEING DOA. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 SPORT FOUR DR AND TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON EAST HANOVER RD IN GRAHAM, NC AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDE
• About a year ago, I noticed multiple warning lights on my car on, including the traction control, ABS, emergency brake, tire pressure indicator, etc. I took my car to the dealership where they diagnosed the problem as related to a faulty speed sensor. I have been reading consumer info on Mazda forum

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY QUIET BOULEVARD IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY. I WAS THERE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD MULTIPLE VERY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE TOP OF OUR CAR, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE SUNROOF OR OUR 6-MONTH OLD 2018 MAZDA 3 HAD JUST EXPLODED!”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

23 complaints

17%

• The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning light illuminated. The contact then slammed on the brakes and pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that
• The contact owns a 2018 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 local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated t
• The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning light illuminated. The contact then slammed on the brakes and pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

16 complaints

12%

• ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2018, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE STATE, DURING A ROAD TRIP ON MY WAY FROM CANNON BEACH TO PORTLAND IN THE STATE OF OREGON AROUND 9PM, I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 MAZDA 3 ON NORTH OF HIGHWAY I-5 WHEN RAIN BEGAN DURING RUSH TRAFFIC. I HAD THE AUTOMATIC FRONT WIPERS ON AND THEY BEGAN PERFORM
• ON 1/25/2019 IN THE MORNING I WENT OUTSIDE TO TAKE MY DOG OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF ON MY 2018 MAZDA 3 WAS CRACKED AND HAD A FAIRLY LARGE HOLE IN IT. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED ON MY STREET OUTSIDE MY HOME OVER NIGHT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN FROM SOMEONE TRYING TO BREAK
• THE WINDOW WIPERS STOP WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN ON THE INTERVAL SETTING. I HAVE TO TURN THEM OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN FOR THEM TO BEGIN WORKING ONCE MORE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, USUALLY AFTER THE WIPERS HAVE SWIPED ONCE OR TWICE ON THAT SETTING WHILE DRIVING.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2018, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE STATE, DURING A ROAD TRIP ON MY WAY FROM CANNON BEACH TO PORTLAND IN THE STATE OF OREGON AROUND 9PM, I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 MAZDA 3 ON NORTH OF HIGHWAY I-5 WHEN RAIN BEGAN DURING RUSH TRAFFIC. I HAD THE AUTOMATIC FRONT WIPERS ON AND THEY BEGAN PERFORM”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

13 complaints

• ON 2/14/19 BETWEEN 2:30 AND 3 P.M., MY MOTHER (MELISSA DODSON) WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (A 2004 GMC ENVOY) THAT RESULTED IN BEING DOA. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 SPORT FOUR DR AND TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON EAST HANOVER RD IN GRAHAM, NC AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDE
• PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2018 MAZDA 3 2.5L TOURING HATCHBACK. I HAD ONLY DRIVEN THE VEHICLE AS ITS NEW OWNER ONCE, FROM THE DEALERSHIP BACK TO MY HOME, WHICH WAS LESS THAN 20 MILES, WHEN THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED: I STARTED THE ENGINE FOR MY SECOND TRIP WITH THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIG
• THE BATTERY IN MY 2018 MAZDA 3 (TOURING) HAS DIED 3 TIMES IN ABOUT YEAR'S TIME. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS JUST A FLUKE--THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ANYTHING. THEY PUT A BRAND NEW BATTERY IN. AFTER THE SECOND BATTERY DIED, THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T MAKING

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“ON 2/14/19 BETWEEN 2:30 AND 3 P.M., MY MOTHER (MELISSA DODSON) WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (A 2004 GMC ENVOY) THAT RESULTED IN BEING DOA. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 SPORT FOUR DR AND TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON EAST HANOVER RD IN GRAHAM, NC AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 139 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SOUNDED WHEN THE SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BEAT TO STOP THE WARNING SOUND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY QUIET BOULEVARD IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY. I WAS THERE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD MULTIPLE VERY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE TOP OF OUR CAR, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE SUNROOF OR OUR 6-MONTH OLD 2018 MAZDA 3 HAD JUST EXPLODED!
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning light illuminated. The contact then slammed on the brakes and pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2018, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE STATE, DURING A ROAD TRIP ON MY WAY FROM CANNON BEACH TO PORTLAND IN THE STATE OF OREGON AROUND 9PM, I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 MAZDA 3 ON NORTH OF HIGHWAY I-5 WHEN RAIN BEGAN DURING RUSH TRAFFIC. I HAD THE AUTOMATIC FRONT WIPERS ON AND THEY BEGAN PERFORM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)