warning lights FOR ABS
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.
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
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.
What owners actually said
108 reportsMy car's rear backup camera has been having issues for the last several thousand miles. I took the car in for repair, and the Mazda dealership informed me that the wiring for the backup camera has corroded. After searching various online forums, it appears that this issue is pretty common with this generation Mada3. I noticed…
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My car's rear backup camera has been having issues for the last several thousand miles. I took the car in for repair, and the Mazda dealership informed me that the wiring for the backup camera has corroded. After searching various online forums, it appears that this issue is pretty common with this generation Mada3. I noticed today that Ford issued a recall for a similar problem with Mustangs.
The body computer experienced a malfunction leading to the wipers becoming inoperable. This can be made available for inspection. I was driving through a snow storm, my wipers stopped working without warning causing severe loss of visibility endangering myself and those around me. The problem has been confirmed by an independent…
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The body computer experienced a malfunction leading to the wipers becoming inoperable. This can be made available for inspection. I was driving through a snow storm, my wipers stopped working without warning causing severe loss of visibility endangering myself and those around me. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. It has not, however the model of car has a recall for this, it does not extend to my specific VIN. There were no warnings. The wipers worked and halfway through a drive they stopped.
Sunroof shattered by itself
Front windshield wipers for my 2018 Mazda 3 stopped working without any warning while driving on the highway under heavy rain fall. I recently read online about a faulty wiper motor relay but I have not received any information from Mazda 3 about this.
ONLY REAR BRAKES SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEAR FAILURE AT 13200 MILES DESPITE ROUTINE WASHING AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT DEALERSHIP, WHILE THE FRONT BRAKES ARE PRISTINE. REAR BRAKE NOISES BEGAN AT 13200 MILES AND WAS MENTIONED TO DEALER DURING ROUTINE MAINTNENACE AT 13283 MILES. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACCEPT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING …
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ONLY REAR BRAKES SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEAR FAILURE AT 13200 MILES DESPITE ROUTINE WASHING AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT DEALERSHIP, WHILE THE FRONT BRAKES ARE PRISTINE. REAR BRAKE NOISES BEGAN AT 13200 MILES AND WAS MENTIONED TO DEALER DURING ROUTINE MAINTNENACE AT 13283 MILES. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACCEPT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND TRIES TO BLAME ENVIRONMENT FOR UNUSUAL CORROSION AFTER 2 YEARS. ESCALATED TO MAZDA USA PENDING. THIS SEEMS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUES NOTED IN 2017 MAZDA3 IN COMPLAINT NHTSAID: 11240160 AND RELATED TO THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER RECALLS FOR ( Part 573 Safety Recall Report 17V-393)
On March 29, 2021, I had my 2018 Mazda 3 serviced, oil and filter chance, and inspection, at my local Auto repair shop. They indicated that the belt tensioner and belt needed replacement, due to oil leaking, from the tensioner, on to the belt. I got concerned because the vehicle only had 11,523, and the warranty ran out a few w…
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On March 29, 2021, I had my 2018 Mazda 3 serviced, oil and filter chance, and inspection, at my local Auto repair shop. They indicated that the belt tensioner and belt needed replacement, due to oil leaking, from the tensioner, on to the belt. I got concerned because the vehicle only had 11,523, and the warranty ran out a few weeks earlier. I emailed Mazda several times, and asked, due to the low mileage, and close to warranty expiration, for their dealer to inspect the vehicle, and if needed, replace the tensioner and belt, both free of charge to me. They declined to grant me that courtesy.
THE REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING DURING A DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, SIMILARLY LIKE IT HAPPEN TO THE SAME VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT WIPERS 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. WHEN I WENT FOR THE ACTUAL APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 2021, THEY TOLD…
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THE REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING DURING A DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, SIMILARLY LIKE IT HAPPEN TO THE SAME VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT WIPERS 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. WHEN I WENT FOR THE ACTUAL APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 2021, THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD, AND JUST FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY WILL CHARGE $160 PLUS TAX. THE POTENTIAL REPAIR WOULD BE EXTRA, RANGING FROM A NEW BCM TO A NEW MOTOR, OR BOTH, SCALING UP TO $450 REPAIR BILL. THE ISSUE IS EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO A SAFETY RECALL THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FOR THE FRONT WIPER WERE THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. I CONSIDER THIS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF YOU'RE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH DURING THE HEAVY RAIN AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE AND VEHICLE THAT COMES AT HIGH SPEED, SUCH TRUCK THAT LOOSE THE BRAKES IN A ROUNDABOUT EXIT, THAT POSES A SAFETY RISK TO DRIVERS AND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE FOR THIS REAR WIPER ISSUE LIKE FOR THE FRONT ONE.
THE CHARGE WARNING SYSTEM CAME ON AND THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IT HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 3RD AND I HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT ON FEBRUARY THE 9TH 2021 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET LOOKED AT MY MAZDA AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITHOUT HAVING THE INDICATION WHEN I CLEARLY TOLD T…
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THE CHARGE WARNING SYSTEM CAME ON AND THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IT HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 3RD AND I HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT ON FEBRUARY THE 9TH 2021 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET LOOKED AT MY MAZDA AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITHOUT HAVING THE INDICATION WHEN I CLEARLY TOLD THEM MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS
MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES ITS BRAKES WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF AROUND 60 MPH FOLLOWING A PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK STARTS FLASHING TO TURN RIGHT, I STARTED TO BRAKE A LITTLE, MY SPEED WAS REDUCED TO AROUND 40-45 MPH... JUST WHEN I WAS READY TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN, BECAUSE THE TRUCK HAS FULLY CO…
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MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES ITS BRAKES WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF AROUND 60 MPH FOLLOWING A PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK STARTS FLASHING TO TURN RIGHT, I STARTED TO BRAKE A LITTLE, MY SPEED WAS REDUCED TO AROUND 40-45 MPH... JUST WHEN I WAS READY TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN, BECAUSE THE TRUCK HAS FULLY COMPLETED HIS TURN ( WAS ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER STREET)... MY MAZDA 3 2018 HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR REALLY FAST TO AROUND 10 MPH !!! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO RISK OF A CRASH, MY GIRL FRIEND WAS IN SHOCK, SHE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. SORRY IF MY ENGLISH IS NOT SO GOOD, I USUALLY SPEAK FRENCH !!! THE CAR HAVE ONLY 2000 MILLES, I BOUGHT IT NEW ON MARCH 2020... JUST BEFORE COVID-19 !!!
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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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