Owners filed 138 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
03425034,250 milesMedian miles at failure
87 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical System
22
1
0
0
Unknown or Other
21
0
1
1
Service Brakes
19
3
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
16
0
0
0
Engine
8
1
0
1
Power Train
6
1
0
1
Parking Brake
6
0
0
0
Back Over Prevention
6
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
5
1
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
4
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera23V487000
Filed Jul 14, 2023236,100 vehiclesMazda North American Operations
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.
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy. 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 notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
Parking Brake17V393000
Filed Jun 22, 2017227,814 vehiclesMazda North American Operations
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.
Risk. 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 slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly16V684000
Filed Sep 22, 201617,484 vehiclesMazda North American Operations
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 a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy. 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 contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator14V173000
Filed Apr 3, 20145,700 vehiclesMazda North American Operations
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 with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system.
Risk. 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 engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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 this recall is 7314D.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Parking Brake
Filed Jul 9, 202670,000 milesCA
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 vehicle was previously taken to a dealer for an unrelated recall repair, but the parking brake failure was not addressed or resolved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 14, 2026RI
The fuel tank leaks fuel at a full tank and smells of gas in the cabin until about 3/4 tank. Car was dripping a large puddle of gas inside of a parking garage. Problem has been reproduced by my mechanic even after replacing the fuel pump retaining ring. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police. CEL did not come on until recently reporting a very small EVAP leak. Inside the car and the surrounding area would smell of gasoline even if there was no leak in the ground.
Parking Brake
Filed Jun 12, 202672,000 milesCA
The contact's nephew owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while parked on several occasions, the parking brake failed to engage, and there was no resistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Back Over Prevention › Rearview System Braking
Filed Mar 25, 2026VA
The rear backup sensors no longer work and did not give any indication they stopped working. They do not detect cars driving up from behind when driving or switching lanes or objects or people behind the car anymore when you reverse. This happened without any notice or warning indications.
Air Bags
Filed Feb 27, 2026TX
Airbag warning symbol on dashboard flashes with or without passenger seated in front seat.
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Filed Jan 19, 2026VA
Blend door actuator linkage will not allow for heat to be turned on, will blow cool/cold air, have had it looked at and the gear teeth will not stay in line with on another to be able to turn when the knob inside the car is turned. I was told that this may be a recall but do not see anything listed, but that it is a known problem for this model of mazda 3 and ford expiditions
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 17, 2025NY
Gas tank is leaking from the TOP. I could smell gas after a refill (and refilling a portable tank) that I thought must have been a spill I hadn't noticed, and the smell faded. But then it happened again at the next refill, and I knew it wasn't just a spill. Brought it to our trusted mechanic who said that the TOP of the tank was rusted out (wow!)(so, not from road salt) and needs to be replaced. Not cheap, but worse, I'd been driving around in a very hazardous situation that Mazda knows happens. No warning lights, no recall. Thanks, guys. Here's a thread about this being a common issue: https://www.mazda3revolution.com/threads/2014-mazda3-fuel-tank-replacement.245797/
Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Sep 26, 2025197,687 milesNY
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 140,000. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. It was later discovered that the Title mileage was 197,687.
Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2025CA
The car screen displays, GPS, for calls, radio etc, doesn’t works, it’s off, and the airbags are deactivated and they’re off as well and have to press hard on the brake to get the car to stops.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 21, 2025OH
Noticed strong smell of gasoline when the car was parked. Took it to an independent service dealer who diagnosed leaking fuel from top of the tank. Gas tank was removed and replaced. Tank cost was $380.00 plus repair shop labor/supplies cost. See attached invoice. During a recent online search for this vehicles current book value I noticed there was a manufactures recall issued for this same problem, that I paid to have repaired. I never received any recall notice for a leaking gas tank problem for my vehicle.
Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 29, 2025VA
Navigation touchscreen has deteriorated without any external damage to the point where it has false positives/ghost clicks. This randomly changes settings which include screen/instrument panel brightness which can be disorienting at night.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 5, 2025NJ
Gas tank is leaking. According to the records the service recall has been repaired (via a previous owner). However, what started out as fumes is now definitely a leak and the dealership will not repair under the recall a second time.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Filed Jan 7, 2025CA
Rearview camera flickers or doesn't turn on at times.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 4, 2025NC
My vehicle has intermittent functioning of rearview camera image while reversing. I can sometimes get it to work by opening an closing the rear hatch. Sometimes the image is clear, sometimes there is no image and sometimes it is distorted/rolls. Mazda notified me of the recall September 2023, but the company has failed to repair the defect within a reasonable amount of time.
Back Over Prevention
Filed Jan 2, 2025AZ
The contact owns a 2014 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 local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical System
Filed Nov 30, 2024CA
Due to improper design of the rearview camera wiring harness fastener, my rearview camera image has been distorted and flickering for years. There has been no remedy for this issue for many years now and its quite dangerous to have a camera that doesnt work at all.
Back Over Prevention
Filed Nov 7, 2024CA
The contact owns a 2014 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Filed Nov 4, 2024NJ
The infotainment screen in my Mazda3 developed a large spider crack in the corner. It's available for inspection upon request. It affects my ability to read information on the screen, and partially obstructs my backup camera's image. The problem has been confirmed by both the dealer, who saw the issue firsthand, and Mazda (see Service Alert No.: SA-008/18, issued 02/20/2018 - please note, the spider crack I have is much larger than the ones in the pictures in the Service Alert). There was no warning this issue was going to affect my car, it just happened one day.
Electrical System
Filed Oct 29, 202462,000 milesPA
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power, and the contact became aware that the vehicle had failed to shift out of first gear. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel was functioning erratically, and the instrument panel lights frequently remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket seal had failed, which resulted in an oil leak. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with electrical system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V173000(Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Electrical System
Filed Sep 2, 2024IL
In reference to the existing recall on my vehicle (Manufacturer recall # 6023G, NHTSA recall #: 23V-487), I would like to report that the vehicle manufacturer (Mazda) has yet to offer a solution to this problem, which is now over a year old. In addition to the reported distortion/flickering from the rearview camera, we are experiencing times (about 1 in 10) where the image displayed from the rearview camera is simply a blank screen. This makes operating the vehicle in reverse more difficult and dangerous, especially in situations were visibility is limited (night, dark spaces, garage parking, etc.). This is a safety issue, first and foremost, and a solution from the manufacturer is long overdue.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 14, 2023. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.