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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

What owners actually said

108 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Over a year later and Mazda is not fulfilling an existing recall despite continuing to pump out new cars: Manufacturer Recall Number6023G NHTSA Recall Number23V-487

NHTSA ODI #11600115

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

The car just didn't want to turn on with the key and completely stopped

NHTSA ODI #11593289

Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

The collision warning light and lane assistance light come on frequently. It used to just be when the weather was under 40 degrees and the car was cold. However, it now happens all the time. It seems to go on and off for no reason. Additionally, the infotainment system keeps switching radio stations or ghosting without anyone t…

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The collision warning light and lane assistance light come on frequently. It used to just be when the weather was under 40 degrees and the car was cold. However, it now happens all the time. It seems to go on and off for no reason. Additionally, the infotainment system keeps switching radio stations or ghosting without anyone touching it. It also drops Bluetooth connectivity constantly.

NHTSA ODI #11593200

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2024
Electrical System

The screen/head unit in my car is registering ghost touches. Basically the screen thinks it's being touched even though it isn't. This causes much distraction and hinders the use of the screen because if I try to actual use the head unit, the ghost touch overrides my input which makes it unusable.

NHTSA ODI #11592126

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2024
Electrical System

Safety Recall 6023G - NHTSA Campaign Number 23V-487. The car was purchased in 2018. On 5/29/2024 the backup camera view has gone black, providing no image. Since I've owned this car, the backup camera view appears, sometimes flickers, and now, has gone completely black, only to "pop" on randomly. I have asked the local Mazda dea…

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Safety Recall 6023G - NHTSA Campaign Number 23V-487. The car was purchased in 2018. On 5/29/2024 the backup camera view has gone black, providing no image. Since I've owned this car, the backup camera view appears, sometimes flickers, and now, has gone completely black, only to "pop" on randomly. I have asked the local Mazda dealer on multiple occasions, since purchasing the car, if it can be repaired/replaced, but am told parts are not available or that there is no "start date" on file. The mechanic has done something to that camera system when the car gets an oil change, and the problem goes away, only to return.

NHTSA ODI #11591286

Mileage unknown · May 22, 2024
Electrical System

I have seen the problem online called ghosting or ghost control. The infotainment system changes station, settings, selected input or anything else it randomly selects on its own and this is occurring while driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11590154

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2024
Electrical System

I was driving in the rain on the freeway and my wiper stopped working on 12/27/2022. Dealership diagnosed the issue that it was caused by the front body control module with an internal relay failure. The cause was exactly the same as the recall campaign #3219D after my research. However, the original recall did not cover my vehi…

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I was driving in the rain on the freeway and my wiper stopped working on 12/27/2022. Dealership diagnosed the issue that it was caused by the front body control module with an internal relay failure. The cause was exactly the same as the recall campaign #3219D after my research. However, the original recall did not cover my vehicle even though my vehicle's model year is exactly the same as stated in the recall campaign. I had to pay out of pocket to repair this issue at the dealership ($663.34) and went back and forth with Mazda's customer service and they could not do anything because my VIN does not match the original recall. The vehicle was repaired on January 2023 but I was not aware that I could file a complaint here on NHTSA. My file number with Mazda Corporation was - 00069514 In below, I have attached: - the screenshot of my dashcam, right after the wiper failed while I was on the freeway. - A PDF of the recall campaign #3219D - an invoice and description of the repair from the dealership File that I could not attach due to the limitation: - a detailed video of the dealership technician, they recorded and showed what my vehicle's issue was.

NHTSA ODI #11589576

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2024
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

The infotainment system randomly mutes and unmutes Bluetooth calls; it switches radio stations, skips, and repeats on Spotify and through the settings. It's like the daily turns itself, even though no one touches it. It's startling to have it happen while you're driving, and suddenly, the display starts doing all sorts of crazy …

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The infotainment system randomly mutes and unmutes Bluetooth calls; it switches radio stations, skips, and repeats on Spotify and through the settings. It's like the daily turns itself, even though no one touches it. It's startling to have it happen while you're driving, and suddenly, the display starts doing all sorts of crazy changes on its own.

NHTSA ODI #11589009

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2024
Wheels

The TPMS light goes off when traveling over 50 MPH, indicating low air pressure on one or more tires. I pulled over, assuming I had a flat; upon visual inspection, everything looked normal. I drove to the nearest air station, checked all four tires, had the proper psi, and reset the TPMS; the light turned off. Then, 10 minutes i…

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The TPMS light goes off when traveling over 50 MPH, indicating low air pressure on one or more tires. I pulled over, assuming I had a flat; upon visual inspection, everything looked normal. I drove to the nearest air station, checked all four tires, had the proper psi, and reset the TPMS; the light turned off. Then, 10 minutes into the drive, the TPMS light turned on again. I verified again that all tires had the recommended air pressure.

NHTSA ODI #11589008

118,000 miles · May 8, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the abnormal sound would increase. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who listened to the engine and ended up…

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The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the abnormal sound would increase. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who listened to the engine and ended up removing pistons from the engine. The mechanic discovered there was an abnormal sound in cylinder #3 which caused the mechanic to remove the spark plugs. The contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V745000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #11587678

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.