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2019 Mazda MAZDA3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 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

42 reports with mileage · 32 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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

15 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2019
Service Brakes

DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I LEASED A NEW MAZDA 3 ON 12/20/2019. AT THE TIME OF SIGNING ALL DOCUMENTS I WAS PROVIDED WITH A DOCUMENT TO SIGN THAT THE DEALERSHIP WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SELL ME A CAR WITH AN OPEN RECALL. AFTER REGISTERING WITH THE MAZDA APP I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL. IS THIS LEGAL AND WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? TH…

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DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I LEASED A NEW MAZDA 3 ON 12/20/2019. AT THE TIME OF SIGNING ALL DOCUMENTS I WAS PROVIDED WITH A DOCUMENT TO SIGN THAT THE DEALERSHIP WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SELL ME A CAR WITH AN OPEN RECALL. AFTER REGISTERING WITH THE MAZDA APP I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL. IS THIS LEGAL AND WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? THIS SEEMS EXTREMELY DISHONEST. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK AND ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO IN THIS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY STOP WHILE DRIVING DUE TO INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE SMART BRAKING SYSTEM (SBS) AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. MANY THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11291422

5,200 miles · Dec 19, 2019
Service Brakes

AUTOMATIC BREAK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN AND DOES A HARD BREAK. ALSO THE PERIMETER SENSOR GETS DISABLED NUMEROUS TIME OUT OF BLUE WHILE DRIVING AND STOP FUNCTIONING UNTIL THE CAR RESTARTS. THE BREAK HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OR SAME SITUATION. IT JUST HAPPENS ON THE REGULAR ROAD AS WELL AS HIGHWAY. BUT THE HIG…

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AUTOMATIC BREAK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN AND DOES A HARD BREAK. ALSO THE PERIMETER SENSOR GETS DISABLED NUMEROUS TIME OUT OF BLUE WHILE DRIVING AND STOP FUNCTIONING UNTIL THE CAR RESTARTS. THE BREAK HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OR SAME SITUATION. IT JUST HAPPENS ON THE REGULAR ROAD AS WELL AS HIGHWAY. BUT THE HIGHWAY JUST SCARES ME. BUT THERE IS NO WAY I CAN TELL MAZDA WITH A PROOF.

NHTSA ODI #11290226

8,000 miles · Nov 6, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherInjury

CAR HAS GIVEN MULTIPLE WARNINGS THAT DRIVER AND SAFETY ASSIST FEATURES ARE DISABLED -- DESPITE NOT BEING ENABLED. CAR ALSO GAVE A CAMERA MALFUNCTION WARNING APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE BEFORE SLAMMING ON BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY AT 35-40MPH AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER;INCIDENT OCCURRED AT CLEAR NIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND. CAR CURR…

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CAR HAS GIVEN MULTIPLE WARNINGS THAT DRIVER AND SAFETY ASSIST FEATURES ARE DISABLED -- DESPITE NOT BEING ENABLED. CAR ALSO GAVE A CAMERA MALFUNCTION WARNING APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE BEFORE SLAMMING ON BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY AT 35-40MPH AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER;INCIDENT OCCURRED AT CLEAR NIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND. CAR CURRENTLY IN SHOP; NO WORD ON WHAT CAUSED THIS OR WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11278559

225 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Service BrakesSteering

ON JUNE 6, 2019 AT ABOUT 6:45PM WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE TRANSITION FROM THE 241 FWY TO THE 91 FWY I RECEIVED AN ERROR ON MY DASH (ATTACHMENT 1) THREE TIMES WITHIN ABOUT 10 MINS "PUSH BUTTON START MALFUNCTION"" THE CAR DID NOT STOP, OVER HEAT OR MALFUNCTION IN SUCH A WAY TO PREVENT ME FROM DRIVING TO MY DESTIN…

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ON JUNE 6, 2019 AT ABOUT 6:45PM WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE TRANSITION FROM THE 241 FWY TO THE 91 FWY I RECEIVED AN ERROR ON MY DASH (ATTACHMENT 1) THREE TIMES WITHIN ABOUT 10 MINS "PUSH BUTTON START MALFUNCTION"" THE CAR DID NOT STOP, OVER HEAT OR MALFUNCTION IN SUCH A WAY TO PREVENT ME FROM DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION, WHICH WAS 15 MILES AWAY ON JUNE 7, 2019 ON MY WAY TO WORK TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE 5 FWY AT ABOUT 10 AM IN THE MORNING WITH THERE BEING NO VEHICLES AROUND THE CAR THE CAR DID AN EMERGENCY BREAK I KNOW THIS FROM THE DASH DISPLAY WHICH SHOWED A BRIGHT RED CIRCLE WITH THE WARNING THAT THE EMERGENCY BREAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THAT WAS CLOSE TO MY WORK LOCATION WITHIN 1 HOUR OF THE EVENT

NHTSA ODI #11219653

2,000 miles · Jun 2, 2019
Power TrainService BrakesUnknown Or Other

- REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. HOT DAYS WILL BREAK DOWN THE ADHESIVE AND CAUSE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO FALL OFF. - BRAKES VIBRATE HARSHLY WHEN IN SPORT MODE. FASTER THE VEHICLE GOES, THE MORE HARSH THE BRAKES WILL VIBRATE. - ACCELERATION IS JERKY ON LOW END (1ST/2ND) GEAR. IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OR G…

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- REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. HOT DAYS WILL BREAK DOWN THE ADHESIVE AND CAUSE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO FALL OFF. - BRAKES VIBRATE HARSHLY WHEN IN SPORT MODE. FASTER THE VEHICLE GOES, THE MORE HARSH THE BRAKES WILL VIBRATE. - ACCELERATION IS JERKY ON LOW END (1ST/2ND) GEAR. IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OR GOING UP-HILL ON LOAD, ACCELERATION WILL FEEL JERKY WHEN TRY TO KEEP A STEADY SPEED BETWEEN 5-15MPH. CAR FEELS NORMAL WHEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATION HARDER.

NHTSA ODI #11217419

Official recalls

6

19V907000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking

Dec 19, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.

19V558000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear

Jul 29, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing. Note: Vehicles equipped with auto dimming mirrors are not affected by this recall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Rearward visibility will be reduced without the rearview mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3919G.

19V514000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Jul 5, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Loose head restraints may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3819F.

19V497000 · Engine; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jun 27, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.

Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.

19V425000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Jun 7, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A wheel separating from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the front and rear wheel lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3519F.

19V363000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel; Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

May 14, 2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.

Consequence: Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.

Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.

Consequence: Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.

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.