Mazda MAZDA3 Problems by Year
Mazda MAZDA3 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical MAZDA3 year: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2010 MAZDA3: 686 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2008 MAZDA3: 303 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2012 MAZDA3: 226 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2026 MAZDA3: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2025 MAZDA3: 8 complaints, 1 recall
- 2023 MAZDA3: 12 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Mazda MAZDA3 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering problems | 393 | 20 | 43 |
| Electrical System problems | 366 | 21 | 14 |
| Structure problems | 282 | 20 | 17 |
| Air Bags problems | 259 | 20 | 89 |
| Power Train problems | 249 | 21 | 4 |
| Engine problems | 211 | 20 | 8 |
| Service Brakes problems | 197 | 19 | 24 |
| Seats problems | 175 | 16 | 12 |
| Tires problems | 167 | 14 | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting problems | 163 | 17 | 5 |
| Visibility/wiper problems | 162 | 15 | 3 |
| Wheels problems | 148 | 16 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 105 | 18 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 92 | 19 | 19 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 89 | 11 | 7 |
| Suspension | 89 | 17 | 7 |
| Back Over Prevention | 63 | 6 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 57 | 9 | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 56 | 13 | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 48 | 11 | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 48 | 17 | 8 |
| Visibility | 45 | 13 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 35 | 11 | 3 |
| Parking Brake | 27 | 9 | 9 |
| Equipment | 21 | 10 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 15 | 8 | 3 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Carry Handle, Shell, Base | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Mazda MAZDA3 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2010: structure (169) · seats (106) · visibility/wiper (100) · wheels (54) · electrical system (50)
- 2008: steering (117)
- 2007: steering (89)
All Mazda MAZDA3 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 MAZDA3 | 1 | 0 | — | Steering | |
| 2025 MAZDA3 | 8 | 1 | — | Forward Collision Avoidance | |
| 2024 MAZDA3 | 12 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2023 MAZDA3 | 12 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 MAZDA3 | 24 | 0 | 5★ | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 MAZDA3 | 54 | 1 | 5★ | Engine | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2020 MAZDA3 | 32 | 2 | 5★ | Forward Collision Avoidance | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 MAZDA3 | 74 | 6 | — | Service Brakes | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2018 MAZDA3 | 108 | 4 | 5★ | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2017 MAZDA3 | 83 | 2 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2016 MAZDA3 | 104 | 6 | 5★ | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2015 MAZDA3 | 130 | 4 | 5★ | Service Brakes | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2014 MAZDA3 | 138 | 4 | 5★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2013 MAZDA3 | 117 | 1 | 4★ | Exterior Lighting | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2012 MAZDA3 | 226 | 1 | 4★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2011 MAZDA3 | 132 | 2 | 4★ | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2010 MAZDA3 | 686 | 3 | — | Structure | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2009 MAZDA3 | 115 | 3 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2008 MAZDA3 | 303 | 2 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 MAZDA3 | 222 | 2 | — | Steering | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2006 MAZDA3 | 166 | 1 | — | Steering | More complaints than other years |
| 2005 MAZDA3 | 97 | 2 | — | Air Bags | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2004 MAZDA3 | 145 | 2 | — | Air Bags | More complaints than other years |
More from Mazda: all Mazda models · Mazda VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda MAZDA3 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2007 (222), 2008 (303), 2010 (686), 2012 (226) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical MAZDA3 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Mazda MAZDA3?
Steering, with 393 complaints across 20 model years.
How many recalls does the Mazda MAZDA3 have?
29 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.