IllustrationAirbag warning symbol on dashboard flashes with or without passenger seated in front seat.
2014 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all MAZDA3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
340–25K
1925–50K
1750–75K
1175–100K
4100–150K
3150K+
88 reports with mileage · 50 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
5 reportsREAR PASSANGER SEAT BELT FAILED IN LOCK POSITION NOTHING IN IT NO CANDY ECT AND STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION REFUSES TO LOCK BELT CURRENT MILEAGE 37989 JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTEE
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD A TENSIONER THAT WAS BROKEN FROM EITHER RIGHT OFF THE DEALER'S LOT OR SHORTLY AFTER. UNDER HARD BRAKING, MY WIFE HIT THE DASHBOARD INSIDE THE CAR ONCE AS A PASSENGER. I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT IN EARLIER. I JUST BROUGHT IT IN TODAY (6/20/2017) TO THE MAZDA DEALER (PUTNAM MAZDA IN BURLINGAME, CA) AND TH…
Read full complaint
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT HAD A TENSIONER THAT WAS BROKEN FROM EITHER RIGHT OFF THE DEALER'S LOT OR SHORTLY AFTER. UNDER HARD BRAKING, MY WIFE HIT THE DASHBOARD INSIDE THE CAR ONCE AS A PASSENGER. I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT IN EARLIER. I JUST BROUGHT IT IN TODAY (6/20/2017) TO THE MAZDA DEALER (PUTNAM MAZDA IN BURLINGAME, CA) AND THEY DISCOVERED THE SEATBELT'S TENSIONER IS BROKEN INTERNALLY. THEY ARE REPLACING IT, THOUGH THE PART IS BACKORDERED UNTIL JULY. THERE IS REASONABLE SUSPICION TO BELIEVE MORE THAN MY VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
CINTURON DE SEGURIDAD CHOFER NO CIERR AL ASIENTOA DRIVER SAFETY BELT DOES NOT ATTACH TO THE SEAT ## VIN FAILED ## [XXX], MAZDA, 3, 2014 ## INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
STARTING ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR WE NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD SOMETIMES LIGHT UP INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS DEACTIVATED. WE STOP THE CAR AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND REENTERED THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS…
Read full complaint
STARTING ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR WE NOTICED THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WOULD SOMETIMES LIGHT UP INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WAS DEACTIVATED. WE STOP THE CAR AND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND REENTERED THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHT STARTED TO WORK PROPERLY. OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS WE NOTICED THAT THE ISSUE WAS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. WE TOOK THE CAR TO BROWN'S MAZDA IN ALEXANDRIA. AFTER CHECKING THE CAR OUT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2014 ABOUT 10 DAYS AFTER HAVING THE CAR SERVICED MY WIFE AND I WAS DRIVING ON A LEVEL CITY STREET AROUND 5:48 PM, AT THAT TIME THE INDICATOR LIGHT WAS OFF, WHICH WOULD INDICATE THAT THE AIRBAG AND ACTIVE RESTRAINTS ARE ON AND THAT THE CAR RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. A CAR PULLED OUT FROM A SIDE STREET IN TO TRAFFIC CAUSING US TO HARD BRAKE IN ORDER TO AVOID THE ACCIDENT. MY WIFE THAT WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS THROWN FORWARD AS IF SHE DID NOT EVEN HAVE A SEAT BELT ON, THE ACTIVE SEAT RESTRAINT DID NOT TIGHTEN AT ALL. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT THAT WAS OFF WAS NOW ON INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM WAS OFF. SHE WAS SHAKEN BUT THANKFULLY NOT HARMED. AGAIN WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX IT'S JUST PART OF THE DESIGN AND THAT PEOPLE MY WIFE SIZE SHOULD NOT USE THE CAR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR, BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN THE AIRBAG WILL DECIDE TO DEACTIVATE LEAVING THE PASSENGER AT RISK OF INJURY IF THERE WERE A CRASH OR ROLLOVER. *TR
Official recalls
423V487000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Jul 14, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
17V393000 · Parking Brake
Jun 22, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
16V684000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Sep 22, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
14V173000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Apr 3, 2014
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.