← New search

2021 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Mazda MAZDA3 are lower than the model-year median of 108.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected 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

Limited mileage data: 3 of 49 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Forward Collision Avoidance. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Lane Departure complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

When this feature is left on in my vehicle, it will detect curves, vehicles, and objects that are not there, and as a result, will attempt to turn my steering wheel (safety concern). I have had to keep this feature turned off to prevent it wrecking the car, because I could be on a straight road, and it will detect a curve that i…

Read full complaint

When this feature is left on in my vehicle, it will detect curves, vehicles, and objects that are not there, and as a result, will attempt to turn my steering wheel (safety concern). I have had to keep this feature turned off to prevent it wrecking the car, because I could be on a straight road, and it will detect a curve that isn’t there and begin turning the wheel, which could result in a fatal accident if not corrected and disabled by the driver. It is available for inspection upon request. As the dealer has not driven the vehicle, they have not recreated the error, however if anyone were to drive the vehicle, they would be able to observe the malfunction. The dealer has been made aware on many occasions, though they never documented it and only suggested that I turn the feature off, which automatically turns itself on upon ignition. There are no warnings that there is a malfunction; you only know there is an error once an alert pops up thinking you’re missing a curve and attempts to turn your steering wheel though there is no curve. This issue has persisted over the life of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11644042

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

The error code "B14FO-76 FORWARD SENSING CAMERA DEVIATION - WRONG MOUNTING POSITION" was discovered, and verified, by a Safelite Auto Glass service center when the 2021 Mazda 3 was in for a repair (stone chip) to the windshield on September 21, 2021. There were no warning messages nor lights to alert the driver as to the imprope…

Read full complaint

The error code "B14FO-76 FORWARD SENSING CAMERA DEVIATION - WRONG MOUNTING POSITION" was discovered, and verified, by a Safelite Auto Glass service center when the 2021 Mazda 3 was in for a repair (stone chip) to the windshield on September 21, 2021. There were no warning messages nor lights to alert the driver as to the improper installation/mounting of this device. There has been no known modification to nor obstruction of the FSC -- its condition is now as it was received new from the dealer. Improper mounting ("Wrong Mounting Position") of the Forward Sensing Camera affects multiple safety systems of this vehicle, which affects the safety of the vehicle's passengers as well as everyone's safety around the vehicle every time it is driven -- there's no telling what injury and damage may occur from an errant un-commanded driving tasks such as emergency braking and faulty lane departure corrections.

NHTSA ODI #11434720

1,700 miles · Feb 14, 2021
Electrical SystemLane Departure

PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.

NHTSA ODI #11396149

Official recalls

1

21V101000 · Tires:valve

Feb 22, 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.

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.