2018 Mazda MAZDA3

The center dashboard information screen developed "spider cracks" and got opaque in the corners of the screen. The screen would change functions / jump around commands without being touched while driving ( from NAV to radio, change radio stations etc) - apparently called 'Ghost Touch". Mazda has been aware of the defect for some time and issued a TSB ( and settled a class action lawsuit) but we never received any notification. The dealer offered no assistance as the car was out of warranty . We paid several hundred dollars to replace the screen as the car was becoming undriveable.

My 2018 Mazda 3 has an intermittent electrical failure on the high-speed CAN network that causes multiple safety-critical systems to fail while driving. When the fault occurs, the dash lights up with warnings for powertrain, ABS/traction, lane departure, collision-avoidance, TPMS, immobilizer, and the check-engine light. The car also hesitates or “lurches” between 15–30 mph during these events. At one point in 2024, the vehicle went into limp mode on the freeway, creating a safety hazard. These failures are intermittent but repeatable. Diagnostic scans from 2023–2025 show multiple U-codes for lost communication between control modules; two later became permanent. The issue appears unrelated to any one component and affects many systems at once. The vehicle has been to every Mazda dealership in the North Texas region (Mesquite, Freeman, Hiley, Norm Reeves, Town North). All performed only basic scans; none completed a full CAN-bus or wiring-harness diagnostic. Town North kept the vehicle for six weeks (Sept–Oct 2025), replaced a coil and spark plugs, performed a camera calibration and a TCM update, but the network failures returned within 38 miles. We sought independent inspection only after dealerships repeatedly refused diagnosis whenever the warning lights were not on at the moment of arrival. In November 2025, a technician found significant internal corrosion inside the negative battery cable; touching the cable reproduced the full failure immediately. The corrosion extends deep into the wire sheathing. This appears to be an electrical defect affecting CAN communication and power/ground integrity. When the fault occurs, multiple safety systems disable at once and the vehicle behaves unpredictably. Mazda Corporate has declined further assistance, and the defect remains unresolved. I am filing this report because this is a recurring safety issue that may affect other vehicles of the same model and year.

There is a infotainment display that sits on the center part of the dash that has touch screen capability that over time starts to fail and results in what is known as "ghost touch", where random screen settings change as though someone is using the touch screen on the infotainment screen. I had issues to where settings for screen brightness have changed causing my ability to see the controls being hindered and the radio sometimes turning up loudly and then off causing a scare distraction while driving. This screen is also used for the back up camera. There is currently a class action lawsuit for this.

Mazda had previously issued a Special Service Plan (SSP) to remediate issues with their Mazda Connect Center Display (infotainment system), specifically "ghost touches" and "spider cracking" of the screen: [XXX] This Special Service Plan only applied to 2014-2016 models of the Mazda3. I own a 2018 Mazda3 which has the exact same issue described in the above service plan. Searching online, I am far from the only person who is affected by this issue that continues to be present in newer models of the Mazda3. Mazda should replace my (and others) infotainment system, as it is unusable and distracting in it's current condition. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mazda has a warranty extension for the 2014-2016 Mazda 3 infotainment touch screen as it may malfunction and glitch. This glitch can be a distraction as the system believes that it is being touched and may cause many things to change in the car such as radio station, navigation setting, and even some vehicle setting accessible from the infotainment screen, causing distractions. However, this issue is also possible on newer 2017 and 2018 models, and there is currently no program to fix the issue. While Mazda may seem like this is not a safety as the touch screen is disabled above 5 MPH, it can still cause distractions when coming to a stop and while stopped which may result in an accident. I think this needs to be resolved and Mazda needs to acknowledge that this touch issue "Ghost Touch" can affect all Mazdas with Mazda Connect 1. Taking this to the dealership to fix is expensive as they want to replace the entire system at a cost of $1000, which I could see many people not doing leading to more dangerous vehicles on the road.

Mazda issued a recall for backup camera failures on specific vehicles over 1 year ago on July 14 2023 (Mazda Recall 6023G, NHTSA #23V-487). According to Mazda dealerships I contacted, parts are still not available. Drivers impacted have been waiting for repair components related to this safety recall for over a year. Simply submitting this as a complaint about an ongoing recall resolution.

The touchscreen has started to exhibit similar issues as seen in previous recalls for the Mazdas. Commonly known as "ghost touch," the screen receives erroneous inputs, causing settings to change or unwanted functionality to start/stop. Depending on the active screen, the system will exhibit different behavior. In my case, the discoloration is directly at the 6 o'clock position. Whatever application button is there is the one that will be triggered. On a Bluetooth connection, that is the random button. On the AM or FM application, that is the seek button. On the settings menu, that could be any number of important things, including safety systems' settings including the ability to disable traction control. You can see on the display where it has been overheated and is discolored. This is the same location that the "ghost touches" occur. It is intermittent, but occurs more frequently as the unit heats up or after the car warms in an parking lot.

In 2023, the reverse camera would either flicker or completely shut off (displaying a blank screen) while the reverse gear is engaged. While reversing the vehicle to park onto the property the rear camera image failed to display in the vehicle, leading to a collision with the curb. The limited visibility out of the rear windshield for the Mazda 3 leads to a typical driver relying on the camera display to show obstructions not visible through the rear and side mirrors. This failure lead to the car impacting the curb and the passenger being shocked that the car was in an accident. If that was child or small animal, they would have been hit or run over. Luckily, this failure only resulted in property damage, a large dent in the bumper, and possible exhaust damage (see attached). A recall notice for this known Mazda camera issue was sent out in the mail by the manufacturer at the end of 2023. Mazda failed to address the issue when inquired over the phone, instead stating they "Would be in contact once a solution was found." Mazda did not reach out or notify me at any point with a solution until the incident above occurred. After contacting Mazda by phone to address the issue, they said there is still no solution found but to take the vehicle down for a diagnostic test that would be the owner's responsibility to pay for if it was found to be a "owner issue". After a brief discussion and multiple phone calls, Mazda stated they would make the repair as it was confirmed to be a Mazda issue that had just been solved. However, the car would need to be kept over the weekend and a loaner vehicle would be provided. Mazda also stated the collision was a driver issue and Mazda will not be responsible for anything that occurs while using the vehicle. At that point, the dealership was unwilling to assist me and I left. This seems to be a Mazda originating issue, if the rear camera functioned as intended, the curb would have been visible and the impact could have been avoided.