2021 Mazda MAZDA3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 has 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: low engine oil warning between oil changes. burned 3+ quarts between 5000 mile and 10,000 mile service.. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 3 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

18 complaints

27%

• Low engine oil warning between oil changes. Burned 3+ quarts between 5000 mile and 10,000 mile service.
• Engine is consuming excessive oil. Dealership states there is a TSB out but the fix is to keep topping the oil off. I would like an investigation to determine the root cause of the oil consumption on a new engine.
• Excess oil consumption in engine. Low light came on around 5,000 miles and dipstick showed engine oil was at the minimum mark.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Low engine oil warning between oil changes. Burned 3+ quarts between 5000 mile and 10,000 mile service.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

12 complaints

18%

• PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.
• 2021 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING FAILED SBS SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SMART BRAKE SYSTEM SLAMS ON THE BRAKES UNNECESSARILY, WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT FEATURE COULD NOT BE DISABLED. *JS
• The error code "B14FO-76 FORWARD SENSING CAMERA DEVIATION - WRONG MOUNTING POSITION" was discovered, and verified, by a Safelite Auto Glass service center when the 2021 Mazda 3 was in for a repair (stone chip) to the windshield on September 21, 2021. There were no warning messages nor lights to aler

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

7 complaints

11%

• A have a new 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback with 3,500 miles. As I was driving and approaching a traffic light to stop, my car shut down completely while in traffic. I turned on my hazard lights, put the car in the park position, and restarted the vehicle. As I proceed with driving, when I made a right
• Experiencing a known excessive oil consumption issue. Low engine oil warning light came on and upon checking, oil was low. This occured at 4000 to 4200 miles. It occured again about 4000 miles later and again at a similar interval. I notified the dealer and scheduled a repair date but I am concerned
• Part easily break away during washing. Fuel door cover lid panel (BDYT-42-411) broke in automatic car wash.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“A have a new 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback with 3,500 miles. As I was driving and approaching a traffic light to stop, my car shut down completely while in traffic. I turned on my hazard lights, put the car in the park position, and restarted the vehicle. As I proceed with driving, when I made a right ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

6 complaints

• PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE POLICE WAS AT THE LOCATION BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE BUT
• The contact owns a 2021 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the passenger front side tire was flat which caused the contact to veer to the shoulder. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer where the tire was inspected as the technician informed the contact that

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

• Instrument panel display shows a warrning message: Air Bag System Malfunction. Have the Vehicle inspected.
• My car started to show a warning on the dashboard that the airbag system is malfunctioning. The alarm would come on for a few seconds, then turn off, then repeat like that multiple times every drive. At the time it started, my car had less than 500 miles on it, and it continued after that until I go
• The vehicle was badly rear ended and the airbags didn't deploy. The dashboard indicated an "airbag malfunction" after the collision happened. The failure of the airbags put myself and my passengers at serious risk; if we weren't wearing our seatbelts, which we were, we would have been gravely injure

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

“Instrument panel display shows a warrning message: Air Bag System Malfunction. Have the Vehicle inspected.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 66 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: Low engine oil warning between oil changes. Burned 3+ quarts between 5000 mile and 10,000 mile service.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: A have a new 2021 Mazda 3 Hatchback with 3,500 miles. As I was driving and approaching a traffic light to stop, my car shut down completely while in traffic. I turned on my hazard lights, put the car in the park position, and restarted the vehicle. As I proceed with driving, when I made a right
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)