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2018 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

36 reports with mileage · 72 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 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Back Over Prevention. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Steering complaints

2 reports
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11,000 miles · Mar 14, 2019
SteeringCrash

COMING OFF THE BQE IN NYC, ON A SHARP TURN EXIT RAMP LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT INTO THE BARRIER CAUSING ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. LUCKY IT WAS AT A LOW SPEED SO NOBODY WAS HURT AND VERY MINOR BODY DAMAGE CAUSED. I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR, THE AIRBAG SAVED HIM FROM HITTING HIS HEAD INTO THE WI…

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COMING OFF THE BQE IN NYC, ON A SHARP TURN EXIT RAMP LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT INTO THE BARRIER CAUSING ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. LUCKY IT WAS AT A LOW SPEED SO NOBODY WAS HURT AND VERY MINOR BODY DAMAGE CAUSED. I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR, THE AIRBAG SAVED HIM FROM HITTING HIS HEAD INTO THE WINDOW. THE TOWTRUCK DRIVER SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE STEERING FAILED BECAUSE THE STEERING COLOM DETACHED.

NHTSA ODI #11186935

3,800 miles · Feb 21, 2019
SteeringCrash

THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY WIFE IN THE RIGHT LANE ON 3 LANE WIDE I-95 SOUTH IN CONNECTICUT AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, APPX 55-60 MPH. ACCORDING TO HER, THE CAR LURCHED LEFT AT ALMOST 90 DEGREES AND IT WAS AS IF SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND THE WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING LIKE NORMAL POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL. SHE C…

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THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY WIFE IN THE RIGHT LANE ON 3 LANE WIDE I-95 SOUTH IN CONNECTICUT AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, APPX 55-60 MPH. ACCORDING TO HER, THE CAR LURCHED LEFT AT ALMOST 90 DEGREES AND IT WAS AS IF SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND THE WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING LIKE NORMAL POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL. SHE CROSSED OVER ALL THREE LANES, AND IT CRASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER SO THAT THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DAMAGED FROM FRONT TO BACK. SHE SAID IT WAS AS IF SHE HAD NO STEERING CONTROL AT ALL. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT INJURED. BUT THE UNEXPLAINED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL SOUNDED LIKE THE PROBLEM EARLIER WITH THE TOYOTA. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS, THEN THERE COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM. .

NHTSA ODI #11181686

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.

21V875000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 12, 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

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.

17V745000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

Nov 21, 2017

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.

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.