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2016 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

46 reports with mileage · 58 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 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Back Over Prevention. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
EnginePower Train

Timing cover leak, all maintenance was completed before the service bulletin. This is a TSB but should be a recall for how common this issue is as they stated it could be caused from the assembly line during a pressurized test. “ This may be caused by oil escaping from a fine clearance created at the sealant applied to joint (A)…

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Timing cover leak, all maintenance was completed before the service bulletin. This is a TSB but should be a recall for how common this issue is as they stated it could be caused from the assembly line during a pressurized test. “ This may be caused by oil escaping from a fine clearance created at the sealant applied to joint (A)between the cylinder block (B) and head (C) when the engine was pressurized during leak testing on the engine assembly line.” TSB Bulletin No.: 01-018/18. Timing cover issues are not something that should be happening under 100k miles.

NHTSA ODI #11434757

37,500 miles · Oct 19, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

RATTLING/FLUTTERING NOISE EVERYTIME I INITIALLY TURN THE CAR ON WITH AC. WHENEVER THE A/C WAS IS ON AND I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. NOW, IT DOES IT EVERYTIME I PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR WITHOUT THE A/C BEING ON.

NHTSA ODI #11365257

44,000 miles · Jan 11, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

MY 2016 MAZDA 3 IS DOING THE SAME THING AS WHAT YOU JUST HAD A RECALL ON WITH THE SOFTWARE BUT MAZDA UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT'S BACK AGAIN MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE GOING IT MISFIRES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IT'S ON IT TAKES A LOT OF RPMS TO GO IT'S SUCKING UP MY GAS I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY BECAUSE MY CAR IS DYING …

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MY 2016 MAZDA 3 IS DOING THE SAME THING AS WHAT YOU JUST HAD A RECALL ON WITH THE SOFTWARE BUT MAZDA UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT'S BACK AGAIN MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE GOING IT MISFIRES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IT'S ON IT TAKES A LOT OF RPMS TO GO IT'S SUCKING UP MY GAS I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY BECAUSE MY CAR IS DYING MY FUSE BOX SMOKES EVERY NOW AND THEN AND I ONLY HAVE 45000 MILES THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING

NHTSA ODI #11298609

18,000 miles · Aug 1, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

6/18/19 6:45 AM: MY CAR 'STALLED' OR LOST POWER AS I WAS ACCELERATING AND TURNING LEFT ACROSS A BOULEVARD (US 51 HWY IN MCFARLAND, WI). LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR (EVEN THOUGH I HAD NO POWER), WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED IT. THERE WERE A LOT OF DAS…

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6/18/19 6:45 AM: MY CAR 'STALLED' OR LOST POWER AS I WAS ACCELERATING AND TURNING LEFT ACROSS A BOULEVARD (US 51 HWY IN MCFARLAND, WI). LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR (EVEN THOUGH I HAD NO POWER), WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED IT. THERE WERE A LOT OF DASH WARNING LIGHTS TRIGGERED ONCE I LOST POWER, BUT I DO NOT RECALL SPECIFICALLY WHICH ONES. I RESUMED DRIVING AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. HOWEVER, I DID FIND OUT LATER (JULY 10, 2019) THAT MY CAR COULD BE UNDER NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V497000, BUT WAS TOLD BY MY DEAL RUSS DARROW-MADISON, WI, ON 7/26/19 THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE. I ASKED IF THEY REPORT THE PROBLEM TO ANYONE & THEY SAID NO, BUT IF THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR, IT WOULD HAVE DOCUMENTATION IN THEIR NOTES THAT SAYS THERE WAS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11241074

54,000 miles · Dec 17, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FOR THE THIRD TIME, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. *TT

NHTSA ODI #11161973

7,100 miles · Sep 6, 2017
Engine

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WENT INTO A COMPLETE STALL. IT CONTINUED TO ROLL AND THE CHECK CHECK ENGINE LINE, TIRE PRESSURE, POWER STEERING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL, KEY NOT PRESENT. THE CAR DIDN'T START RIGHT BACK UP. THE KEY HAD TO BE PUT TO THE START BUTTON BEFORE THE CAR RESTARTED. WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND PARKED.…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WENT INTO A COMPLETE STALL. IT CONTINUED TO ROLL AND THE CHECK CHECK ENGINE LINE, TIRE PRESSURE, POWER STEERING LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL, KEY NOT PRESENT. THE CAR DIDN'T START RIGHT BACK UP. THE KEY HAD TO BE PUT TO THE START BUTTON BEFORE THE CAR RESTARTED. WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND PARKED. WE LEFT THE VEHICLE AND 2 HOURS LATER WE RESTARTED THE CAR TO DETERMINE IF IT NEEDED TOWED. IT STARTED BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AT THAT TIME. DROVE THE CAR HOME AND LEFT IT PARKED UNTIL WE DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WERE THEY DID DIAGNOSTICS AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WE WERE SENT HOME. NOW WE ARE NOT DRIVING THE CAR DUE TO FEAR OF RANDOM STALL. THERE WAS A RECALL OF MADZA 3 2016 BUT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE INFO AS FOLLOWS NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 15V621000, NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 16V685000, NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 16V684000. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11021689

7,062 miles · Aug 23, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RATS HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE ENGINE HARNESS AND OTHER WIRING. THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF CASES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS JUST LIKE THIS. THEY SAID THAT RATS ARE ATTRACTED TO THE COATIN…

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MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RATS HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE ENGINE HARNESS AND OTHER WIRING. THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF CASES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS JUST LIKE THIS. THEY SAID THAT RATS ARE ATTRACTED TO THE COATING ON THE WIRES. MAZDA WON'T ISSUE A RECALL OR REPAIR THE WIRING. IT IS A FIRE HAZARD AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I GUESS THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THEY FIX IT? MY CAR IS 18 MONTHS OLD WITH 7,062 MILES. I WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET IN BROOKLYN AND HAD ONLY DRIVEN 3 BLOCKS WITHOUT MAKING ANY TURNS WHEN I HAD TO PULL OVER. MY CAR IS LOCATED AT KOEPPEL MAZDA 718-721-9100. THEY SHOULD HAVE ALL OF THE DETAILS OF THE DAMAGE IF YOU NEED IT. I DRIVE THE CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY AND IT IS PARKED ON A DIFFERENT STREET EVERY DAY. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN OR WHICH STREET THIS HAPPENED ON.

NHTSA ODI #11019165

Official recalls

6

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.

19V272000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 4, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

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.

16V685000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Sep 23, 2016

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.

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 recirculation pipe 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 0216I.

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.

15V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Oct 2, 2015

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.

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.