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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

138 reports
43,000 miles · Sep 5, 2017
Service Brakes

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. CAR PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, IN GEAR AND E. BRAKE ENGAGED. CAR WAS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET 20. MINS LATER. DEALERSHIP CHARGED TO REPLACE BREAKS AND SAME SYMPTOMS SHOWING UP AGAIN. CAR LESS THAN 60K MI. THIS IS MANUALLY ENGAGED BREAKS NOT AUTOMATIC.

NHTSA ODI #11021526

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2017
Parking Brake

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BOMMARITO MAZDA WEST, LOCATED AT 15736 …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BOMMARITO MAZDA WEST, LOCATED AT 15736 MANCHESTER RD, ELLISVILLE, MO 63011; (636) 391-0073) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11020188

26,800 miles · Aug 21, 2017
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS TURNING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE BETWEEN TWO PARKED CARS WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/3 OF THE WAY INTO THE SPACE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE). IT JUMPED THE CURB, CROSSED OVER THE SIDEWALK, "TOOK OUT" 2 PILINGS AND LARGE FLOWER BOX AND THEN STOPPED. ENGINE WAS STILL…

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I WAS TURNING SLOWLY INTO A PARKING SPACE BETWEEN TWO PARKED CARS WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/3 OF THE WAY INTO THE SPACE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (MY FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE). IT JUMPED THE CURB, CROSSED OVER THE SIDEWALK, "TOOK OUT" 2 PILINGS AND LARGE FLOWER BOX AND THEN STOPPED. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. IT HAPPENED IN A MATTER OF SECONDS AND I HAD NO TIME TO REACT IN ANY WAY. CAR HAD TO BE WINCHED OFF OF THE PILINGS WHICH NOW HAVE TO BE RESET APPROX. 15" - 18" INTO THE GROUND. I HAVE PHOTOS TAKEN BY A NEIGHBOR, BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD THEM. TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOOK SOME TO SHOW TO THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER.

NHTSA ODI #11018647

30,198 miles · Aug 1, 2017
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABRERA AUTO (CARR #2 KM 82.2 SALIDA EXPRESO HATILLO, PR-2, ARECIBO, 00614, PUERTO RICO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABRERA AUTO (CARR #2 KM 82.2 SALIDA EXPRESO HATILLO, PR-2, ARECIBO, 00614, PUERTO RICO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO MAZDA DE LA KENNEDY (MARGINAL AVE. KENNEDY, KM 2.1, URB. INDUSTRIAL BECHARA, PUEBLO VIEJO, SAN JUAN, 00920 PUERTO RICO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BUSHINGS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO MAZDA KENNEDY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCKS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO KENNEDY MAZDA WHERE IT RECEIVED AN UNKNOWN DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAD ANOTHER APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED WITH MAZDA KENNEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,198.

NHTSA ODI #11012011

100 miles · Jun 20, 2017
Seat Belts

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11000239

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2017
Seat Belts

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

NHTSA ODI #10980794

19,000 miles · Apr 5, 2017
Unknown Or Other

TREAD SEPARATION ON TWO FACTORY-MOUNTED ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT YOKOHAMA TIRES WITHIN 3 WEEKS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ONE INCIDENT CAUSING SIGNIFICANT BODY DAMAGE. INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 19,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10970809

34,250 miles · Nov 9, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

MOMENTS AFTER DRIVING MY 2014 MAZDA 3, I NOTICED THE BLUE COOLANT DASHBOARD ICON WAS LIT SIGNALING THE COOLANT IS COLD. AS I DROVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES SO I WOULD NOT REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. PLUS, I NOTICED THE COOLANT DASHBOARD ICON TURN OFF ALSO…

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MOMENTS AFTER DRIVING MY 2014 MAZDA 3, I NOTICED THE BLUE COOLANT DASHBOARD ICON WAS LIT SIGNALING THE COOLANT IS COLD. AS I DROVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES SO I WOULD NOT REAR END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. PLUS, I NOTICED THE COOLANT DASHBOARD ICON TURN OFF ALSO. THE CRUISE WAS COMPLETELY OFF!

NHTSA ODI #10925116

24,800 miles · Aug 2, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

7/27/16 3:30 PM WEATHER CLEAR AND DRY ' TEMPERATURE 78 DEGREES MILEAGE ABOUT 24,000 ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE I ACCELERATED ONTO WASHINGTON SR 520 EASTBOUND AT EXIT 51 TO GET UP TO MERGING SPEED. I KEPT THE CAR IN SECOND GEAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO ABOUT 5,000 RPM. I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER DRIVEN THE CAR OVE…

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7/27/16 3:30 PM WEATHER CLEAR AND DRY ' TEMPERATURE 78 DEGREES MILEAGE ABOUT 24,000 ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE I ACCELERATED ONTO WASHINGTON SR 520 EASTBOUND AT EXIT 51 TO GET UP TO MERGING SPEED. I KEPT THE CAR IN SECOND GEAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO ABOUT 5,000 RPM. I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER DRIVEN THE CAR OVER 4500 RPM IN THE NEARLY 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED IT. I AM NOT SURE WHY I DIDN'T SHIFT INTO THIRD AS I USUALLY DO. THIRD GEAR IS MY DEFINITELY MY PREFERRED GEAR FOR THIS MANEUVER AND IT ALWAYS WORKS WELL FOR MERGING ONTO A HIGH SPEED HIGHWAY. I WAS GREETED WITH MULTIPLE FLASHING IDIOT LIGHTS FOR ENGINE, TIRE PRESSURE AND ANTI-SKID. THE THROTTLE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY SAFELY AS MY SPEED DROPPED RAPIDLY FROM ABOUT 45 TO 30. I LIMPED ALONG IN THE FIRST LANE AT ABOUT 30 MPH, I TRIED TO TURN ON MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS BUT I DON'T THINK THEY WORKED. I AM NOT CERTAIN OF THIS LAST POINT AS I WAS PANICKED THAT THE ENGINE HAD APPEARED TO QUIT JUST HAS I WAS MERGING INTO HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC THAT WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 60-65 MPH. I COULD NOT GET ANY POWER IN ANY GEAR AND TRIED FEATHERING THE THROTTLE. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT ' ABOUT 1 MILE. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND LET IT REST FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON, EVERYTHING APPEARED NORMAL. NO IDIOT LIGHTS AND THE THROTTLE RESPONDED NORMALLY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE LAST COUPLE OF MILES HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR BUT THIS INCIDENT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME.

NHTSA ODI #10892374

12,200 miles · Jul 27, 2016
Air BagsEngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash

MY 2014 MAZDA 3 SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. THERE WAS AN EYE-WITNESS. HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED: I WAS DRIVING ON A QUIET, DEAD-IN STREET ACCOMPANIED BY MY HUSBAND. I TURNED LEFT INTO THE TURN AROUND AREA AT THE END OF THE STREET. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE…

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MY 2014 MAZDA 3 SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. THERE WAS AN EYE-WITNESS. HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED: I WAS DRIVING ON A QUIET, DEAD-IN STREET ACCOMPANIED BY MY HUSBAND. I TURNED LEFT INTO THE TURN AROUND AREA AT THE END OF THE STREET. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED'GOING VERY FAST, VERY QUICKLY. IT LEAPT OVER THE CURB, NARROWLY MISSED A TREE AND A FIRE HYDRANT, PASSED BACK OVER THE STREET I HAD BEEN ON MOMENTS EARLIER, AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED PICK-UP TRUCK. THE AIR-BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED IN 2 TO 3 SECONDS. WE WERE NOT HURT. THE EYE WITNESS WAS IN HIS YARD, WHICH ADJOINS THE TURN-AROUND AREA. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE CAME OVER AND ASKED IF I WAS OK. HE ASKED ME IF I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF. THE EYE WITNESS LATER TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN THE WHOLE THING AND THAT I NEVER HAD CONTROL OVER THE CAR. HE SAID HE TOLD THE POLICE THAT HE WAS WATCHING ME TURN MY CAR INTO THE TURNAROUND AREA AND SAW THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. HE WANTED ME TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT WHEN HE APPROACHED THE CAR, IT WAS REVVING AND STILL TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO THE TRUCK, EVEN THOUGH MY FEET WERE NOWHERE NEAR THE PEDALS. THAT WAS WHY HE ASKED IF I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF. I REMEMBERED BEFORE TURNING THE CAR OFF, THAT I COULD HEAR THE WHINE OF THE ENGINE AS IT SOUNDS WHEN IT IS AT HIGH RPMS. THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND THE FACT THAT THE AIR-BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ARE BOTH SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED MAZDA CORPORATION WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, BUT THEY PUT AN EVENT DATA RECORDER ON THE CAR TO MONITOR IT. THEY DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOTHING SHOWED UP. THE DEALER BOUGHT THE CAR BACK.

NHTSA ODI #10888959

Official recalls

4

23V487000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.