Gas smell when tank is filled past 3/4
2014 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 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
88 reports with mileage · 50 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 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 21 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
138 reportsTemperature control link slips out of place when turning climate control knob. This is 100% a safety issue when you can’t see out of your windshield because you can’t defrost your windshield. There are no warning lights.
Accelerating on the highway passing a semi-truck when I lost acceleration power. Nearly caused a serious accident at highway speeds. Engine light then came on. After the incident the car's engine would stutter when accelerated above 2000rpm. Was able to bring it to a local mechanic who diagnosed both fuel pumps as damaged an…
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Accelerating on the highway passing a semi-truck when I lost acceleration power. Nearly caused a serious accident at highway speeds. Engine light then came on. After the incident the car's engine would stutter when accelerated above 2000rpm. Was able to bring it to a local mechanic who diagnosed both fuel pumps as damaged and replaced. Part was not inspected by police or insurance as it did not lead to a crash.
- After filling up the gas tank and putting the cap back on, there is a distinct smell of gasoline until some of the fuel is used up. In summary, it appears to be spilling or leaking fuel/fumes when we fill up the tank. -This is a problem when parking our car in our garage and we are concerned that it could cause a fire. - We…
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- After filling up the gas tank and putting the cap back on, there is a distinct smell of gasoline until some of the fuel is used up. In summary, it appears to be spilling or leaking fuel/fumes when we fill up the tank. -This is a problem when parking our car in our garage and we are concerned that it could cause a fire. - We have not yet confirmed this with a dealer or independent service center nor have we had any other entity or person confirm this. - This issue was noticed recently and within the last year or so and without any alerts and/or warning lamps. - We understand that there is a recall on the Mazda3 for model years 2014-2016 regarding the ICV Valve (deformed gas tank) and even though it appears to be the same issue, our vehicle doesn't fall within the recall group. - Please help us determine if this is the same problem as the 2014-2016 model year recalls and if your agency will need to issue a similar recall on this model year.
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, he could smell fuel fumes inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon inves…
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The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, he could smell fuel fumes inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V684000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
MALFUNCTION LEVER WIPER-COMB SWITCH.
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that he had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake) five years ago and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. However, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle passed the inspection test and did not need to be repa…
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The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that he had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake) five years ago and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. However, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle passed the inspection test and did not need to be repaired. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle and driving from a complete stop, the vehicle drove sluggishly because the parking brake was not properly disengaged. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring and he would slide underneath the vehicle to manually disengage the parking brake. The contact stated the failure caused the brake pads and rotors to overheat. The contact was unsure whether a warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake) as the VIN was no longer included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
My gear box was popping out of gear at highway speeds into neutral. The service provider informed me the transmission in the car was bad, adding that it the bad transmission caused excessive wear on the clutch-and-flywheel assembly. It later came to my attention that there is an ongoing class action lawsuit in the state of Cal…
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My gear box was popping out of gear at highway speeds into neutral. The service provider informed me the transmission in the car was bad, adding that it the bad transmission caused excessive wear on the clutch-and-flywheel assembly. It later came to my attention that there is an ongoing class action lawsuit in the state of California, represented by Cafferty Clobis Meriwether & Spengel regarding defectively-engineered transmissions of 5- and 6-speed Mazda 3s manufactured between 2010-2015. I had the clutch, flywheel, and transmission all replaced. I cannot be certain that the new OEM transmission part was re-engineered to correct for the original engineering defect and I am greatly concerned that the issues will repeat themselves soon, putting my family and me at risk. I am attaching a letter I sent to Mazda regarding this concern.
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…
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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 A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. This is what i seem to be experiencing please expand recall...
Had a gas smell in our garage for months, thought our riding mower or snowblower was the cause but realized it was this car. Took to our mechanic and they said it was the fuel leak issue from NHTSA campaign 16V684000 however this car was manufactured in Dec 2013 and the official recall campaign began with cars manufactured the …
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Had a gas smell in our garage for months, thought our riding mower or snowblower was the cause but realized it was this car. Took to our mechanic and they said it was the fuel leak issue from NHTSA campaign 16V684000 however this car was manufactured in Dec 2013 and the official recall campaign began with cars manufactured the following month aka Jan 2014. We have been unable to get assistance from the dealership or reach anyone at Mazda due to the huge hold times.
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.
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.
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.
14V173000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
Apr 3, 2014
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
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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