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2018 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 108.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

36 reports with mileage · 72 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 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Back Over Prevention. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Structure complaints

2 reports
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29,850 miles · Apr 26, 2021
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper

THE REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING DURING A DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, SIMILARLY LIKE IT HAPPEN TO THE SAME VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT WIPERS 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. WHEN I WENT FOR THE ACTUAL APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 2021, THEY TOLD…

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THE REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING DURING A DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, SIMILARLY LIKE IT HAPPEN TO THE SAME VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT WIPERS 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. WHEN I WENT FOR THE ACTUAL APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 2021, THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD, AND JUST FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY WILL CHARGE $160 PLUS TAX. THE POTENTIAL REPAIR WOULD BE EXTRA, RANGING FROM A NEW BCM TO A NEW MOTOR, OR BOTH, SCALING UP TO $450 REPAIR BILL. THE ISSUE IS EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO A SAFETY RECALL THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FOR THE FRONT WIPER WERE THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. I CONSIDER THIS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF YOU'RE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH DURING THE HEAVY RAIN AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE AND VEHICLE THAT COMES AT HIGH SPEED, SUCH TRUCK THAT LOOSE THE BRAKES IN A ROUNDABOUT EXIT, THAT POSES A SAFETY RISK TO DRIVERS AND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE FOR THIS REAR WIPER ISSUE LIKE FOR THE FRONT ONE.

NHTSA ODI #11413902

8,200 miles · May 14, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY QUIET BOULEVARD IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY. I WAS THERE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD MULTIPLE VERY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE TOP OF OUR CAR, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE SUNROOF OR OUR 6-MONTH OLD 2018 MAZDA 3 HAD JUST EXPLODED! WE PARKED TO CHECK WHETHER AN…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY QUIET BOULEVARD IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY. I WAS THERE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD MULTIPLE VERY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE TOP OF OUR CAR, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE SUNROOF OR OUR 6-MONTH OLD 2018 MAZDA 3 HAD JUST EXPLODED! WE PARKED TO CHECK WHETHER AN OBJECT HAD FALLEN INTO THE CAR BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, THANKFULLY THE INSIDE SUNROOF BLIND WAS SHUT BECAUSE MANY OF US COULD HAVE GOTTEN INJURED FROM GLASS PIECES FLYING EVERYWHERE INSIDE THE CAR OTHERWISE. NOW, TWO DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT, OUR MAZDA DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING THAT AN OBJECT MUST HAVE HIT THE CAR AND SAY THAT WE NEED TO SPEAK TO OUR INSURANCE. THEY DO NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT WHEN IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT COULD GET OTHER PEOPLE INJURED IN THE FUTURE. ONE OF THE REASONS I AM ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IS BECAUSE WE HEARD ANOTHER VERY LOUD NOISE AND THE HOLE GOT SUBSTANTIALLY BIGGER WHILE PASSING BY THE SAME BOULEVARD LATER THAT NIGHT, MY WIFE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR FOR A MOMENT AS IT HAPPENED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND SCARY SITUATION, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH MAZDA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND NOBODY WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY EVEN WHEN THERE IS A CONSUMER REPORTS ARTICLE ON THIS AND 9 DIFFERENT REPORTS ON THIS ISSUE FOR MAZDA3 VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11093764

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.

21V875000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 12, 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

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.

17V745000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System

Nov 21, 2017

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.

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.