Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation (BM / BN)
NHTSA data through 18 October 2026564 complaints, 279 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2014 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 34,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 138
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2014
- Electrical system27 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise27 reports
- Brakes22 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Parking brake · Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 34,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 130
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2015
- Brakes26 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise26 reports
- Electrical system24 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Parking brake · Fuel system, gasoline — storage
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 37,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 104
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2016
- Electrical system22 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise21 reports
- Brakes14 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Visibility — windshield wiper/washer · Parking brake
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 29,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 83
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Problems owners could not categorise27 reports
- Electrical system20 reports
- Reversing camera and sensors11 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Visibility — windshield wiper/washer
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Mazda Mazda3
Close- Median failure report
- 30,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 109
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Electrical system30 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise26 reports
- Visibility/wiper16 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Visibility — windshield wiper/washer
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2016; earliest: the 2017, and the 2016 is 1 year older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 32,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 95,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 279
- Recalls
- 9
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Problems owners could not categorise22.5% of complaints · median 34,000 mi
- Electrical system21.8% of complaints · median 24,000 mi
- Brakes13.3% of complaints · median 38,000 mi
Documented problems
- Infotainment2014–2016
- Brakes2014–2016
- Fuel System2015–2016
- Engine2018
Owners filed 564 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3; problems owners could not categorise leads with 22.5% of them, and half of the 279 that record an odometer reading came by 32,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 9,000 to 63,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3 last?
On the 2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3, half of the 279 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 32,000 miles and 90% by 95,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
7 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 2 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Mazda3 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018 · 279 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
20,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 98 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,500
- 25%
- 9,000
- Median
- 32,000
- 75%
- 63,000
- 90%
- 95,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20,000 | 98 | 35.1% |
| 20,000–40,000 | 61 | 21.9% |
| 40,000–60,000 | 41 | 14.7% |
| 60,000–80,000 | 31 | 11.1% |
| 80,000–100,000 | 23 | 8.2% |
| 100,000–120,000 | 12 | 4.3% |
| 120,000–140,000 | 4 | 1.4% |
| 140,000–160,000 | 3 | 1.1% |
| 160,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–200,000 | 3 | 1.1% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Mazda3 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Engine43 reportsmedian 15,000middle half 7,000–46,000
- Fuel and propulsion system49 reportsmedian 17,000middle half 791–38,000
- Visibility/wiper37 reportsmedian 24,000middle half 15,000–50,000
- Electrical system123 reportsmedian 24,000middle half 5,000–44,000
- Problems owners could not categorise127 reportsmedian 34,000middle half 21,000–66,000
- Brakes75 reportsmedian 38,000middle half 12,000–65,000
- Reversing camera and sensors62 reportsmedian 60,000middle half 38,000–80,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 127 | 22.5% | 34,000 | 21,000–66,000 |
| Electrical system | 123 | 21.8% | 24,000 | 5,000–44,000 |
| Brakes | 75 | 13.3% | 38,000 | 12,000–65,000 |
| Reversing camera and sensors | 62 | 11.0% | 60,000 | 38,000–80,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 49 | 8.7% | 17,000 | 791–38,000 |
| Engine | 43 | 7.6% | 15,000 | 7,000–46,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 37 | 6.6% | 24,000 | 15,000–50,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 29 | 5.1% | 26,000 | 9,000–68,000 |
| Parking brake | 17 | 3.0% | 71,000 | 60,000–98,000 |
| Airbag system | 16 | 2.8% | — | — |
Known problems with the 2014–2018 Mazda3
Infotainment 2014–2016
Mazda Connect TFT display delamination and ghost-touch behavior — the screen changes stations or navigation input on its own while the car is stationary. Replacement is expensive when not covered by goodwill.
Brakes 2014–2016
Water entry into the rear brake caliper corrodes the electric parking brake actuator shaft, which can bind and leave the parking brake applied or inoperative. Recall covering certain 2014-2016 cars. Separately, premature rear brake pad and rotor wear is a high-frequency complaint.
Fuel System 2015–2016
Fuel tank shut-off valve can allow liquid fuel into the evaporative emissions system, creating a leak and fire risk. Recall covering certain 2015-2016 cars.
Engine 2018
Incorrectly manufactured exhaust valve springs that may fracture in service, causing engine stall. Recall covering certain 2018 cars. Separately, front timing cover oil seepage and intake valve carbon deposits from direct injection with PCV oil carryover.
Before you buy a 2014–2018 Mazda3: the 3-minute check
Generated from 279 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at an authorized dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check infotainment on 2014–2016 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check brakes on 2014–2016 cars.
- Check fuel system on 2015–2016 cars.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Mazda3 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi72% below | At 90k mi88% below | At 120k mi95% below | At 150k mi97% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 21,000–66,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 5,000–44,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 12,000–65,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Reversing camera and sensors | 38,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 791–38,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 7,000–46,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Visibility/wiper | 15,000–50,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018 · 279 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 72% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3 recalls (9)
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
1 of these carry a severe advisory — do not drive or park outside; check those first by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (4), the reversing camera and sensors (1), visibility equipment (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jul 2023 · 2014–2018 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
What can happen. A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim…
Nov 2021 · 2018 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to…
What can happen. Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for…
Apr 2019 · 2016–2018 · VisibilityReduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
What can happen. Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may…
Nov 2017 · 2018 · Engine and Engine CoolingAn engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.
What can happen. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact…
Jun 2017 · 2014–2016 · Parking BrakeIf the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
What can happen. If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a…
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing…
Sep 2016 · 2016 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from…
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1…
Sep 2016 · 2014–2016 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as…
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may…
Oct 2015 · 2015–2016 · Fuel System, Gasoline do not driveA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the…
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free…
Apr 2014 · 2014 · Electrical SystemOnce the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in…
The defect. Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped…
What can happen. Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible…
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 564 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 37 (6.6%)
- Fires
- 4
- Injury reports
- 19
- Fatality reports
- 1
Mazda3 problems by model year
The 2014 drew the most complaints of this generation, 138, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2017 the fewest, 83. A typical year drew about 109.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 138 | 87 | 34,000 | Electrical system (27) | 4 |
| 2015 | 130 | 75 | 34,000 | Brakes (26) | 4 |
| 2016 | 104 | 46 | 37,000† | Electrical system (22) | 6 |
| 2017 | 83 | 34 | 29,000† | Problems owners could not categorise (27) | 2 |
| 2018 | 109 | 37 | 30,000† | Electrical system (30) | 4 |
What Mazda3 owners reported
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 45 MPH, the vehicle sputtered, hesitated to accelerate, and the check engine warning light illuminated. When the contact firmly depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine made a knocking noise, and the vehicle stalled. Diagnostic…
2018 · 100,000 miles · Engine and its cooling system
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that when attempting to secure the vehicle, the electric parking brake failed to engage after pulling up the hand lever. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The…
2014 · 70,000 miles · Parking brake
The contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the windshield wipers had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, Tire-Rama, where the windshield wiper switch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the…
2018 · 200,000 miles · Visibility/wiper
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3.The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various speeds. The contact also…
2016 · 117,000 miles · Steering
Built from 279 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Mazda3 generations
- Mazda3 2004–2009 914 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Mazda3 2010–2013 873 reports with mileage, most about body structure