The Used Car Index

2018 Mazda MAZDA3 problems

NHTSA lists 108 complaints for the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3, 6 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 1 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA MAZDA3.

At a glance

Complaints
108
With crash
6
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
2
Injuries
5
Deaths
1
Recalls
4
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
236,100
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
462

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. The available sales group does not match this vehicle variant.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3027.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2624.1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER1614.8%
BACK OVER PREVENTION1513.9%
ENGINE1211.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM76.5%
SERVICE BRAKES65.6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE54.6%
POWER TRAIN54.6%
LANE DEPARTURE43.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEWARNINGS3
BACK OVER PREVENTIONSENSING SYSTEM2
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING2
STRUCTUREBODY2
BACK OVER PREVENTIONREARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEDELIVERY1
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
electrical electronic3734.3%0.92
visibility or lighting3229.6%0.89
loss of control1312.0%0.75
mechanical failure109.3%0.76
unclear76.5%0.92
structural or corrosion54.6%0.65
fluid or fuel leak32.8%0.92
restraint or airbag10.9%0.55
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate7064.8%0.84
low2725.0%0.67
high76.5%0.98
none32.8%0.65
critical10.9%0.99

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 108 tagged complaints of 108 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

4 recalls.

23V487000

Date: 2023-07-14. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

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. (excerpt)

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. (excerpt)

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 (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V875000

Date: 2021-11-12. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.

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 fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 this recall is 5321K.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

19V272000

Date: 2019-04-04. Systems: VISIBILITY.

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.

Consequence: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.

Remedy: 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 contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V745000

Date: 2017-11-21. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

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.

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

462 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT146
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM141
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING53
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER40
POWER TRAIN35
STRUCTURE33
ENGINE29

11037899

Date: 2026-09-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con

11036688

Date: 2026-08-10. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2). This is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fittin

11034447

Date: 2026-06-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.

This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by ask

11032003

Date: 2026-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the driv

11032104

Date: 2026-04-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on

11032103

Date: 2026-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the sch

11032101

Date: 2026-04-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a repla

11032019

Date: 2026-04-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-003/22 03/02/22 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about a tapping or knocking noise coming from the rear seat after fuel fill. The concern will likely occur if the fuel tank is over

11032100

Date: 2026-04-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poo

11030636

Date: 2026-03-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This Service

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
MAZDA3108

Same model, other years

All model years | All Mazda models

Other Mazda models, 2018

Sources

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