2023 Mazda Mazda3 recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Power train

  Transmission failure when driving. Car was towed to dealership and diagnosed. Transmission and torque converter replacement required under factory warranty. Very long lead time for dealer to acquire replacement parts, about 4 months.

  Jan 9, 2026
• Electrical systemCrash1 injury

  On 14th, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on the northbound 55 Freeway near the Katella exit, my vehicle suddenly began to shake violently without any prior warning. In response, I attempted to slow down by applying the brakes; however, the speedometer rapidly increased even as I maintained firm pressure on the brake pedal. Immediately afterward, the vehicle pulled sharply to the left, causing a complete loss of steering control and resulting in a collision with the center median barrier. Despite the force of the impact, the airbags did not deploy, raising additional concerns about potential safety system failures. At no point before the incident were there warning lights,…

  Jan 14, 2026
• Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking

  The active braking support feature of this vehicle falsely warns me of an imminent collision. It happens pretty often, the system is obviously not quite smart enough. Last week, while accelerating away from a stop light in moderately heavy traffic, the active braking system APPLIED THE BRAKES in a panic manner, causing the vehicle to almost come to a complete stop, and I missed being rear-ended by the car behind me by inches. There appears to be no method to permanently deactivate this "safety" feature. I can turn it off through a series of menus in the infotainment system, but each time I start the car the system turns itself back on again.

  Jan 16, 2025
• Engine

  My 2023 Mazda 3 started to have a more terrible and annoying rattle after 3000 miles. The engine will resonate and knock when it reaches a certain speed. The slow speed light throttle acceleration rattles. The most annoying thing is the multiple rattles inside, dash, door panels, and roof. It is like a can in the summer. What’s more terrible is that in the winter, its internal door panels, windows, and dash make a knocking sound like a screw is loose. I went to multiple Mazda dealers and it was obvious that they could not find and fix the issue. They either said they didn’t hear it or said it was a "normal noise". This is disappointing and unacceptable.

  Nov 30, 2024
• Tires

  The contact owns a 2023 Mazda Mazda3 equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Turanza EL440, Tire Size: 215/45/R18, DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had developed a sidewall bubble and the tire was replaced. Later the front driver's side tire had developed a sidewall bubble and was replaced. The contact later discovered the same failure had occurred on the replacement tire located on the front passenger’s side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,500. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE…

  Feb 15, 2024 · 2,500 miles
• Unknown or otherCrashFire

  The contact's daughter had rented a 2023 Mazda Mazda 3. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle veered off to the left side of the highway and side-swiped a cable system; the vehicle then crashed into the end cap of a guardrail. The vehicle then hydroplaned and hit a bridge pillar. The vehicle flipped as the contact's daughter was ejected from the vehicle and the vehicle landed on the roof in the grass next to the guardrail. The cause of the crash was unknown. The vehicle caught fire and was incinerated by the time authorities arrived on the scene. The contact's daughter was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire department extinguished…

  Nov 30, 2023
• Structure › BodyFire

  I was driving on the highway and decided to switch int the left lane so I sped up and heard a big bang and what sounded like my bumper being dragged against the ground. I see on my dashboard that there’s an electrical and engine malfunction so I pullover and pop the hood. A bunch of smoke comes out and i see a little fire so me and my friends run and call the police. The police and firefighters arrived just as the fire was getting large and it had engulfed the front right side of my car. If the notification that there was a malfunction didn’t come on, I feel as if we could’ve been hurt much worse or even have died. I’m not much of a person that knows about cars and it sounded like…

  Sep 2, 2023
• Exterior lighting

  While driving in snow storm I had to pull over and I noticed lights were covered with snow . LED lights will not produce heat to melt snow The lip above and the ledge below traps the snow and with the way the headlights are set up the snow sticks on the lights which affects visibility creating a safety issue. Same thing happens in rain. I have been to a parts store and a mechanic shop Both shops said this is a poor design. The lip and lower ledge trap the snow and LED lights will not melt the snow. This vehicle would be unsafe to drive in a snowstorm because of poor vision. Thank you

  Mar 15, 2023

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.