← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Power Train complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2025
Power Train

I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my 2016 Mazda 3 manual transmission, which experienced a sudden and complete clutch failure at less 60,000 miles — without any warning lights or diagnostic alerts. I am deeply concerned that: •There was no dashboard warning, even as the clutch system failed •The gear i…

Read full complaint

I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my 2016 Mazda 3 manual transmission, which experienced a sudden and complete clutch failure at less 60,000 miles — without any warning lights or diagnostic alerts. I am deeply concerned that: •There was no dashboard warning, even as the clutch system failed •The gear indicator was inaccurate in prior days, which may have been an early sign of failure •There was no protection mechanism to prevent complete drivetrain failure during normal use.

NHTSA ODI #11678732

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)…

Read full complaint

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

39,900 miles · Mar 6, 2021
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 2-16-2021, ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH OUT WARNING, EVERY WARNING AND INFORMATION LIGHT LIGHT UP LIKE A XMAS TREE, THE POWER STEERING WENT AWAY MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE RAN IN LIMP MODE., I MANAGE TO GET IT PULLED OFF TO A SAFE SPOT , TURN OFF THE CAR, AND THEN TRY TO RESTART . NO GO , DEAD TH…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 2-16-2021, ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH OUT WARNING, EVERY WARNING AND INFORMATION LIGHT LIGHT UP LIKE A XMAS TREE, THE POWER STEERING WENT AWAY MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE, THE ENGINE RAN IN LIMP MODE., I MANAGE TO GET IT PULLED OFF TO A SAFE SPOT , TURN OFF THE CAR, AND THEN TRY TO RESTART . NO GO , DEAD THE DASH LIGHTS LIGHT UP BUT THE STARTER WILL NOT ENGAGE . TOWED TO DEALER, 1ST THEY SAYS ITS THE ENGINE COMPUTER, THEN ITS THE , TRANSMISSION COMPUTER . BUT WHEN I GET THE BILL , I SEE IT IS THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY HTTPS://WWW.MAZDASWAG.COM/OEM-PARTS/MAZDA-AUTOMATIC-TRANSMISSION-VALVE-BODY-FZ2121100J . MY CAR HAS ONLY 39900 MI ON IT ,MAZDA REFUSES TO HONOR ITS 5YR 50000 MI POWER TRAIN WARRANTY EVEN AFTER CALLING MAZDA CUSTOMER CARE

NHTSA ODI #11399552

26,000 miles · Nov 28, 2020
Power TrainService BrakesStructureCrash

I PARKED AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY AT A SLIGHT INCLINE POSITION WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE CAR WAS IN SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). IT WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION AT THAT TIME. MY FAMILY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WE WENT INSIDE OUR HOME. APPROXIMATELY A HALF OUR LATER I NOTICE MY CAR ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND …

Read full complaint

I PARKED AT THE TOP OF MY DRIVEWAY AT A SLIGHT INCLINE POSITION WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE CAR WAS IN SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). IT WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION AT THAT TIME. MY FAMILY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WE WENT INSIDE OUR HOME. APPROXIMATELY A HALF OUR LATER I NOTICE MY CAR ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AND CRASHED IN BETWEEN TWO TREES ON MY PROPERTY. EITHER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED OR THE CAR'S TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE PARKED. THE CAR WAS FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF MY PROPERTY STILL IN GEAR AND HAD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN THE ENGAGED POSITION.

NHTSA ODI #11376902

93,000 miles · May 8, 2020
Power TrainService BrakesStructure

WATER GETS INTO THE TRUNK AND FILLS UP THE SPARE TIRE WELL. CAUSING MOLD AND RUST INSIDE TRUNK. THROUGHOUT BARING INSIDE CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION COMPONENT EXPLODES DESTROYING THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION. PARKING BREAK DOESN'T DISENGAGE CORRECTLY CAUSING BRAKES TO WEAR DOWN QUICKLY. WATER GETTING INTO REAR BREAK CALIPERS MAKING THEM …

Read full complaint

WATER GETS INTO THE TRUNK AND FILLS UP THE SPARE TIRE WELL. CAUSING MOLD AND RUST INSIDE TRUNK. THROUGHOUT BARING INSIDE CLUTCH/TRANSMISSION COMPONENT EXPLODES DESTROYING THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION. PARKING BREAK DOESN'T DISENGAGE CORRECTLY CAUSING BRAKES TO WEAR DOWN QUICKLY. WATER GETTING INTO REAR BREAK CALIPERS MAKING THEM DEFECTIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MAINLY IN CITY STREET DRIVING BUT NOTICEABLE ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323902

50,000 miles · Aug 11, 2019
Power Train

MY CAR TWICE IN ONE DAY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND BECAME UNRESPONSIVE WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS ON A SURFACE STREET MAKING A U TURN THE FIRST TIME, AND HAD MADE A RIGHT TURN THE SECOND TIME. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE MODULE IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TH…

Read full complaint

MY CAR TWICE IN ONE DAY SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND BECAME UNRESPONSIVE WHEN I TRIED TO USE THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS ON A SURFACE STREET MAKING A U TURN THE FIRST TIME, AND HAD MADE A RIGHT TURN THE SECOND TIME. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. HE TOLD ME IT WAS THE MODULE IN MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT WAS SENDING A FAULTY SIGNAL. THERE IS A RECALL FOR OTHER 2016 MAZDA 3 VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED, SO A MAZDA DEALER I CALLED REFUSED TO FIX IT UNLESS I PAID FOR IT.

NHTSA ODI #11243121

26,000 miles · Dec 27, 2018
Power Train

THIS VEHICLE CANNOT TOLERATE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF SLUSH OR SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROAD. THE WHEELS START TO SPIN AND IT GOES NOWHERE. MANY TIMES IN LIGHT WINTERY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO HANDLE THE WINTER CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY ON ANY KIND OF AN INCLINE, AND MY WHOLE COUNTY IS LOCATED ON ONE BIG INCLINE. THIS VEHICL…

Read full complaint

THIS VEHICLE CANNOT TOLERATE EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF SLUSH OR SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROAD. THE WHEELS START TO SPIN AND IT GOES NOWHERE. MANY TIMES IN LIGHT WINTERY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO HANDLE THE WINTER CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY ON ANY KIND OF AN INCLINE, AND MY WHOLE COUNTY IS LOCATED ON ONE BIG INCLINE. THIS VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE FULL TIME TRACTION CONTROL. THAT'S LAUGHABLE. ON THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE WITH 1/4" OF SLUSH ON THE ROAD, WE WERE FORCED TO TURN AROUND AND TAKE A ROUTE THAT IS FLAT. THE CAR JUST CANNOT HANDLE IT. I CANNOT GIVE IT TO ANY OF MY DAUGHTERS AS THEY ALL LIVE FURTHER NORTH THAN WE DO. IT NEEDS TO GO TO A FLORIDA OR TEXAS OR CALIFORNIA OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #11163747

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…

Read full complaint

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

7,000 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Power Train

THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 7000 MILES. DEALER, HENNESSEY MAZDA IN ATLANTA SUBURBS, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY, WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY, ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO DRIVER MISUSE. DRIVER DENIES "'RIDING THE CLUTCH" AND MAJORITY OF USE WAS HIGHWAY TRAVEL. DEALER QUOTED REPAIR COST AT $1600, LATER REDUCED TO $1126. CLUTCH FAILED AT TRAFFIC L…

Read full complaint

THE CLUTCH FAILED AT 7000 MILES. DEALER, HENNESSEY MAZDA IN ATLANTA SUBURBS, DENIES RESPONSIBILITY, WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY, ATTRIBUTES FAILURE TO DRIVER MISUSE. DRIVER DENIES "'RIDING THE CLUTCH" AND MAJORITY OF USE WAS HIGHWAY TRAVEL. DEALER QUOTED REPAIR COST AT $1600, LATER REDUCED TO $1126. CLUTCH FAILED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT NEAR RESIDENCE. DRIVER WAS THEN UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR; CAR BECAME DISABLED AT TRAFFIC INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI #10968198

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.