Mazda MAZDA3 — Years to Avoid
Which model years have the most problems and which are safe to buy.
Avoid These Years
2010 Mazda MAZDA3
920 complaints (1150% of segment average)
Main issue: (2010 MAZDA3 5-DR WITH SUNROOF) WHEN SUNROOF IS FULLY OPENED AND DRIVING AROUND 35 MILES/HR, COMPLETE ROOF STARTS TO VIBRATE PRODUCING LOUD NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CAR DEALER AND TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE PROBLEM AS WELL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS NEW DESIGN AND THAT MAZDA ENGINEERING RECEIVED A C
2012 Mazda MAZDA3
328 complaints (410% of segment average)
Main issue: I WAS DRIVING A STEADY 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY ON A DRY SUNNY DAY WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS. THE ROADS WERE SMOOTH AND DRY, AND THE GAS TANK WAS 1/2 FULL. THE CAR WAS 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 2700 MILES ON IT. THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT PRESSING T
2014 Mazda MAZDA3
180 complaints (225% of segment average)
Main issue: HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO SYSTEM. MY RADIO FADES IN AND OUT CONTINUOUSLY. IT PLAYS FINE WHEN I USE THE CD PLAYER OR PLAY PANDORA BUT WHEN I PLAY THE RADIO IT IS HORRIBLE! *TR
2011 Mazda MAZDA3
179 complaints (224% of segment average)
Main issue: APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. THERE WAS A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE T
2013 Mazda MAZDA3
176 complaints (220% of segment average)
Main issue: TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY WAS COMPLETELY MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
2015 Mazda MAZDA3
154 complaints (193% of segment average)
Main issue: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM, THE BLUETOOTH FUNCTION, AND THE USB SYSTEM REBOOTED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAI
2018 Mazda MAZDA3
139 complaints (174% of segment average)
Main issue: 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
2016 Mazda MAZDA3
137 complaints (171% of segment average)
Main issue: 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
2019 Mazda MAZDA3
116 complaints (145% of segment average)
Main issue: - REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. HOT DAYS WILL BREAK DOWN THE ADHESIVE AND CAUSE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO FALL OFF. - BRAKES VIBRATE HARSHLY WHEN IN SPORT MODE. FASTER THE VEHICLE GOES, THE MORE HARSH THE BRAKES WILL VIBRATE. - ACCELERATION IS JERKY ON LOW END (1ST/2ND) GEAR.
2017 Mazda MAZDA3
105 complaints (131% of segment average)
Main issue: IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN ONE MONTH SINCE A RECALL HAS BEEN PLACED ON MY MAKE AND MODEL, NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER OR DEALER OF MY VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT ME TO INFORM OF THIS RECALL SO I CAN TAKE NECESSARY MEASURES. I JUST SO HAPPENED TO GOOGLE 'MAZDA 3 WINDSHIELD WIPERS' AND STUMBLED ACROSS AN ART
Safe to Buy
2025 Mazda MAZDA3
8 complaints — well below segment average
2024 Mazda MAZDA3
20 complaints — well below segment average
2023 Mazda MAZDA3
20 complaints — well below segment average
2022 Mazda MAZDA3
31 complaints — well below segment average