IllustrationFuel Tank has corrosion that allows vapors to enter the passenger compartment.
2016 Mazda MAZDA3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 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
140–25K
1525–50K
750–75K
375–100K
6100–150K
1150K+
46 reports with mileage · 58 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 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Back Over Prevention. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
6 reportsRecently noticed the odor of unburned gasoline, both inside and outside the vehicle. When driving, the ventilation system would flush this away in a few moments, but this phenomenon is new within the past few weeks. Our mechanic (not the dealer) traced the issue to the fuel tank, where the port for the fuel pump and sensors is l…
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Recently noticed the odor of unburned gasoline, both inside and outside the vehicle. When driving, the ventilation system would flush this away in a few moments, but this phenomenon is new within the past few weeks. Our mechanic (not the dealer) traced the issue to the fuel tank, where the port for the fuel pump and sensors is located on top. This area is accessible by removing the rear seat cushion and a cover plate. He showed me how the fuel pump and sensor module has rusted to the thread of the port, preventing removal of the assembly, and that the port flange itself has rusted and has pin-holes, allowing vapor to escape. He was able to put slight positive air pressure to the tank as a test, and was able to cause liquid fuel to escape from the holes. The tank was about 3/4 full at the time. This seems like a serious safety issue. The port and matching threaded parts (fuel pump / sensor module) that inserts there should be corrosion-proof. I can provide a photo of the affected area if needed; I would get the image file from my mechanic.
Front end passages side shaking with 60 mhg. And some time smelling gasoline when first started up my car.
DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS WHEN RUNNING ERRANDS (FOR EXAMPLE) WHICH WOULD REQUIRE STOPPING AND RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, THE CABIN WILL BEGIN TO FILL WITH GAS FUMES. THIS WILL START ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO THE TRIP. THE FUMES BECOME SO STRONG THAT I BECOME SICK AND HAVE A HEADACHE. YOU CAN SMELL FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE…
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DURING HOT SUMMER MONTHS WHEN RUNNING ERRANDS (FOR EXAMPLE) WHICH WOULD REQUIRE STOPPING AND RE-STARTING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, THE CABIN WILL BEGIN TO FILL WITH GAS FUMES. THIS WILL START ABOUT 30 MINUTES INTO THE TRIP. THE FUMES BECOME SO STRONG THAT I BECOME SICK AND HAVE A HEADACHE. YOU CAN SMELL FUMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING HIGHWAY TRAVEL. EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE FOR THE 2016 MAZDA 3, FOR SOME REASON IT DOES NOT APPLY TO MY MAZDA 3. IF I WANT TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY MAZDA.
MY 2016 MAZDA 3 IS DOING THE SAME THING AS WHAT YOU JUST HAD A RECALL ON WITH THE SOFTWARE BUT MAZDA UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT'S BACK AGAIN MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE GOING IT MISFIRES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IT'S ON IT TAKES A LOT OF RPMS TO GO IT'S SUCKING UP MY GAS I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY BECAUSE MY CAR IS DYING …
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MY 2016 MAZDA 3 IS DOING THE SAME THING AS WHAT YOU JUST HAD A RECALL ON WITH THE SOFTWARE BUT MAZDA UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT'S BACK AGAIN MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE GOING IT MISFIRES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IT'S ON IT TAKES A LOT OF RPMS TO GO IT'S SUCKING UP MY GAS I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY BECAUSE MY CAR IS DYING MY FUSE BOX SMOKES EVERY NOW AND THEN AND I ONLY HAVE 45000 MILES THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING
FUELING CAR AND PUMP AUTO-SHUTOFF DID NOT WORK CAUSING GASOLINE TO OVERFLOW THE TANK AND SPILL ON THE GROUND. WAS NOT HOLDING THE HANDLE OR ATTEMPTING TO TOP-OFF THE TANK. EXPERIENCED SAME ISSUE ONE WEEK LATER WITH 2016 MAZDA6 AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION.
Official recalls
623V487000 · 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.
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.
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.
16V685000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
Sep 23, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.
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 recirculation pipe 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 0216I.
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.
15V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
Oct 2, 2015
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.
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.