Illustrationshock towers are disintegrating so the shocks would not be connected to anything.
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
What owners actually said
104 reportsNothing has happened yet but Ive done a bunch of research and a lot of the 3rd generation Mazda 3's all have the same airbag code 16 flashing on their dash and it's not on any recall list
The rear backup camera on my vehicle goes on and off or dims considerably when I back up, not allowing me to see cars and people potentially behind me. This is associated, I believe, with an issue with the screen and infotainment system of the car, which I had checked out on 9/24/21 at a Mazda dealership. The screen goes on and …
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The rear backup camera on my vehicle goes on and off or dims considerably when I back up, not allowing me to see cars and people potentially behind me. This is associated, I believe, with an issue with the screen and infotainment system of the car, which I had checked out on 9/24/21 at a Mazda dealership. The screen goes on and off constantly, not allowing me to use the radio, bluetooth, etc. They said it is a chip issue that they have seen in many other Mazda 3's from 2016. Not being able to listen to the radio is one thing, but having the backup camera not work or work improperly is a safety issue.
Apparently all of sudden the front occupants seat belt had lock and malfunctioning to the point you are unable to pull the belt strap to securely wrapped around the passenger, took it to have it evaluated at the request of the auto maker, supposedly this what I understood from two separate auto repair shops ( Mazda) dealership …
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Apparently all of sudden the front occupants seat belt had lock and malfunctioning to the point you are unable to pull the belt strap to securely wrapped around the passenger, took it to have it evaluated at the request of the auto maker, supposedly this what I understood from two separate auto repair shops ( Mazda) dealership and a reliable auto repair (Apex) shop stating that a spring loaded system mechanism part was actually missing and that the standard mechanical labor (code) cost for the repair were not (unknown) listed while the other suggested the whole seat belt needed to be replaced I strongly feel this should be a safety related issue for both the driver and passenger seat belts should be recalled and carefully looked into for driver/passenger safety reasons.
There is a main board failure that controls the information screen and back up camera The part number is TC3M-66-9C0B . The screen will keep rebooting not allowing the back up camera to work. According to Mazda dealer personal Mazda will not cover this. This is know to be a regular problem with many of these cars
I have had to replace the battery on this vehicle three times in the last year. I have taken it to Mazda who replaces the battery. No excessive electrical power is being used with in the car. The car is driven regularly as well.
Parking brake does not fully disengage. This causes the rear brakes to wear prematurely and also has the potential to generate excessive heat.
In mid-2021, the Mazda Connect infotainment system suddenly stopped working. Upon starting the car, the software boots over and over again. The Bluetooth is inoperable; radio plays but I cannot change stations; steering wheel functionality of these features is absent; backup camera is intermittent and dimmer. The latter is a saf…
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In mid-2021, the Mazda Connect infotainment system suddenly stopped working. Upon starting the car, the software boots over and over again. The Bluetooth is inoperable; radio plays but I cannot change stations; steering wheel functionality of these features is absent; backup camera is intermittent and dimmer. The latter is a safety issue. The Mazda dealer diagnosed a malfunction of the connectivity master unit (CMU) and said they have had a rash of the same problem with 2016's recently.
Timing cover leak, all maintenance was completed before the service bulletin. This is a TSB but should be a recall for how common this issue is as they stated it could be caused from the assembly line during a pressurized test. “ This may be caused by oil escaping from a fine clearance created at the sealant applied to joint (A)…
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Timing cover leak, all maintenance was completed before the service bulletin. This is a TSB but should be a recall for how common this issue is as they stated it could be caused from the assembly line during a pressurized test. “ This may be caused by oil escaping from a fine clearance created at the sealant applied to joint (A)between the cylinder block (B) and head (C) when the engine was pressurized during leak testing on the engine assembly line.” TSB Bulletin No.: 01-018/18. Timing cover issues are not something that should be happening under 100k miles.
Front end passages side shaking with 60 mhg. And some time smelling gasoline when first started up my car.
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.