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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 →

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.

10 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

138 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2019
Electrical System

UNFORTUNATELY A PICTURE WILL NOT WORK FOR WHAT US HAPPENING IN MY VEHICLE. THE NAVIGATION HUB IN MY VEHICLE WITH START TO PHANTOM PRESS BUTTONS WHEN STOPPED OR DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED IT WILL START TO OPEN MENUS AND CHANGE SETTINGS AS WELL AS OPEN THE PHONE AND ATTEMPT TO DIAL NUMBERS ON IT OWN. THIS CAN BE VERY DISTRACTING WHILE …

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UNFORTUNATELY A PICTURE WILL NOT WORK FOR WHAT US HAPPENING IN MY VEHICLE. THE NAVIGATION HUB IN MY VEHICLE WITH START TO PHANTOM PRESS BUTTONS WHEN STOPPED OR DRIVING. WHEN STOPPED IT WILL START TO OPEN MENUS AND CHANGE SETTINGS AS WELL AS OPEN THE PHONE AND ATTEMPT TO DIAL NUMBERS ON IT OWN. THIS CAN BE VERY DISTRACTING WHILE STOPPED AS IT IS CONSTANTLY BEEPING AND CLICKING WHICH PREVENTS ME FROM PAYING ATTENTION. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION IT IS UNABLE TO DIAL NUMBERS BUT WILL STILL GO INTO MENUS AND START CHANGING SETTINGS WHICH IS A HUGE DISTRACTION FROM THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE SYSTEM AND IF YOU TRY TO MUTE IT WITH THE MUTE BUTTON THE SYSTEM HAS UNLIMITED ITSELF AND CONTINUED TO RAPIDLY CHANGE SETTING OR SELECT DIFFERENT THINGS WITHIN THE MENU ALL THE WHILE MAKING VERY AUDIBLE AND DISTRACTING NOISES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN SEEN IN MANY FORUMS AND MAZDA HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. MY FEAR IS THAT OF THE FACT THAT IT CAN TAKE YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM DRIVING WHILE THIS IS HAPPENING. IT IS NOT A CONSISTENT CONDITION THOUGH AND WILL NOT DO IT FOR DAYS, WEEKS OR MONTHS BUT THEN WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN START UP AGAIN. RESETTING THE SYSTEM DOES NOTHING TO FIX THIS AS WELL AS TURNING THE CAR OFF THEN ON AGAIN. I HOPE THAT THIS ISSUE MAY BE RECALLED AS IT POSES SAFETY HAZARDS FOR ANYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM TO BE DISTRACTED AND NOT PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE ROAD WHICH COULD LEAD TO TRAFFIC COLLISIONS ESPECIALLY IN IN CLIMATE WEATHER.

NHTSA ODI #11173266

40,000 miles · Jan 2, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

OCCASIONALLY THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING, AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TPM, AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. LESS FREQUENTLY, THE ENGINE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED, SO I DO NOT THINK IT'S A …

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OCCASIONALLY THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING, AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TPM, AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. LESS FREQUENTLY, THE ENGINE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED, SO I DO NOT THINK IT'S A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.

NHTSA ODI #11164555

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO WARNING. THE DEALER HERITAGE MAZDA CATONSVILLE (6616 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, CATONSVILLE, MD 21228, 1-(844) 224-1951) RECHARGED THE BATTERY AS AN INTERIM REPAIR DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER. HOWEVER, THEY HAD NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO WARNING. THE DEALER HERITAGE MAZDA CATONSVILLE (6616 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, CATONSVILLE, MD 21228, 1-(844) 224-1951) RECHARGED THE BATTERY AS AN INTERIM REPAIR DUE TO THE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER. HOWEVER, THEY HAD NOT PROVIDED A PERMANENT REMEDY SO THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. WITHIN DAYS, THE VEHICLE HAD CONTINUED TO HAVE A LOSS OF POWER AND STALLED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NO RECALL CAMPAIGN AND HAD ONLY 1 TSB ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WHICH WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL CAMPAIGN TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION SO THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE MAY BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11144176

800,000 miles · Oct 27, 2018
Exterior Lighting

LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS FLICKERING GOING DIM AND THEN BRIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON, AND THE CAR IS IN GEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11143312

97,600 miles · Oct 14, 2018
Parking BrakeService Brakes

PARKING BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD CAR, EVEN AFTER ADJUSTING THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11140245

35,000 miles · Sep 17, 2018
Electrical System

MY INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM AND BACKUP CAMERA IS ERRATIC. THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM WELL AUTOMATICALLY DIAL TELEPHONE NUMBERS, CHANGE CHANNELS AND RANDOMLY CHANGE OTHER ITEMS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING. MY BACKUP CAMERA ALSO INTERMITTENTLY CUTS OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11129960

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2018
Electrical System

THE 2014 MAZDA 3 HAS A NOTICE BULLETIN REGARDING A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE RADIO AND CONNECT SYSTEM FAILING. MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE OR FIX THIS ISSUE WITHOUT TELLING CUSTOMERS TO PAY $1010 FOR A NEW HARDWARE UNIT WHICH SOME HAVE REPORTED NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART AS IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE COMPUTER OF THE …

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THE 2014 MAZDA 3 HAS A NOTICE BULLETIN REGARDING A KNOWN ISSUE ON THE RADIO AND CONNECT SYSTEM FAILING. MAZDA WILL NOT REPLACE OR FIX THIS ISSUE WITHOUT TELLING CUSTOMERS TO PAY $1010 FOR A NEW HARDWARE UNIT WHICH SOME HAVE REPORTED NOT FIXING THE ISSUE. MAZDA NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART AS IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE COMPUTER OF THE CAR BY NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE RADIO, MAINTENANCE, HANDS FREE COMMUNICATION, NAVIGATION, AND CAR SETTINGS. SHAME ON MAZDA

NHTSA ODI #11123645

38,787 miles · Jul 7, 2018
Seat Belts

REAR PASSANGER SEAT BELT FAILED IN LOCK POSITION NOTHING IN IT NO CANDY ECT AND STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION REFUSES TO LOCK BELT CURRENT MILEAGE 37989 JUST OUT OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTEE

NHTSA ODI #11110039

18,700 miles · Mar 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

AFTER A CAR WASH AT HOME, THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BOTH FAILED. THE UNDERLYING SYSTEMS CONTINUED TO FUNCTION BUT DUE TO THE SENSOR FAILURE, WARNING LIGHTS FOR BOTH SYSTEMS SHOWED UP ON THE DASH AND ABS BRAKES WERE UNAVAILABLE. REPAIR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF T…

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AFTER A CAR WASH AT HOME, THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BOTH FAILED. THE UNDERLYING SYSTEMS CONTINUED TO FUNCTION BUT DUE TO THE SENSOR FAILURE, WARNING LIGHTS FOR BOTH SYSTEMS SHOWED UP ON THE DASH AND ABS BRAKES WERE UNAVAILABLE. REPAIR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ABS MODULE.

NHTSA ODI #11080379

70,000 miles · Mar 13, 2018
Power Train

MY DAUGHTER'S 2014 MAZDA3 TRANSAXLE WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE. UPON DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH, WE DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) THAT ADDRESSED THIS SITUATION. THE TSB #'S ARE 05-008/16, 05-005/15 AND 05-004/14, AND MENTIONED A BEARING IN THE TRANSAXLE WILL BE DAMAGED DUE TO AN IMPROPER CONFIGURATION OF THE TRANSA…

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MY DAUGHTER'S 2014 MAZDA3 TRANSAXLE WAS MAKING A WHINING NOISE. UPON DOING AN INTERNET SEARCH, WE DISCOVERED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) THAT ADDRESSED THIS SITUATION. THE TSB #'S ARE 05-008/16, 05-005/15 AND 05-004/14, AND MENTIONED A BEARING IN THE TRANSAXLE WILL BE DAMAGED DUE TO AN IMPROPER CONFIGURATION OF THE TRANSAXLE CASE. IN OTHER WORDS THE TRANSAXLE CASE WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND THE TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE REBUILT. WE VISITED SEVERAL MAZDA DEALERS WHOM VERIFY THE TSB ADDRESSED THE SITUATION. MAZDA WOULD NOT COVER THE $5,000 COST TO REPLACE THE TRANSAXLE EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS PURCHASED OF THE IMPENDING PROBLEM, AND THAT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TRANSAXLE WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL, MOST LIKELY ONCE OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, WHICH IS JUST WHAT HAPPENED. THE TRANSAXLE FAILED AT 70,000 MILES, 10,000 MILES OVER THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT IT WAS WELL WITHIN THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. WE DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH AT LEAST A DOZEN LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOPS FOR ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE. ADDITIONALLY WE ALSO SUBMITTED AN AUTO COMPLAINT FORM TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU (BBB), AND SPOKE WITH THE STATE OF WISCONSIN CONSUMER PROTECTOR DEPARTMENT, ALONG WITH THE LEMON LAW AUTO AREA. WE CONTACTED MAZDA USA'S 800# AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED TRYING TO OBTAIN A MORE FAVORABLE RESOLUTION. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE SERVICE MANAGER AND MAZDA ZONE REPRESENTATIVE, MAZDA USA PRESENTED US WITH A FINAL OFFER OF $2,500 FOR A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANS-AXLE. WITH NO OTHER AVENUE AVAILABLE, WE DECIDED TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE AT A FINAL COST OF $2,572. WE FEEL MAZDA SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE TO FIX THIS SITUATION BACK IN EARLY 2014. THEY KNEW WHICH CARS MANUFACTURED WOULD HAVE THE PROBLEM AND AT WHAT POINT IN TIME THE TRANS-AXLES WOULD FAIL. WE ARE ALL VERY DISSATISFIED WITH MAZDA USA.

NHTSA ODI #11078911

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.