2013 Mazda Mazda3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (22) · Service Brakes (14) · Power Train (13)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mazda3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
80 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Structure:body:hatchback/Liftgate 2016-09-06 · campaign 16V644000 · 580,455 vehicles
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or
Risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Service bulletins (504)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-11 · SA-041-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-29 · 09-022-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 description some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled
Engine 2026-06-19 · SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. sa-061/25 12/17/25 description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by ask
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa listed below: the changes are noted in red. sa-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 description mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Electrical System 2025-12-17 · SA-061-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. below
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-10 · 07-004-25a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Showing the 6 most recent of 504 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-05-01 · Service Brakes“the brake pedal consistently malfunctions, even after the replacement of the master cylinder (by independent service center). the master cylinder does not hold pressure due to a faulty abs control unit (which, when mazda was contacted, said that part was on backorder until september). if the manufacturer knows this is an issue and can't supply the …”
2024-02-14 · Exterior Lighting“there seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 mazda 3 sedans (with skyactiv-g 2.0l and halogen type headlights) that are dealing with the same issue i am dealing with myself. i have just purchased a used 2013 mazda 3 with skyactive technology and i noticed that when i was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue…”
2023-11-26 · Power Train“transmission control module malfunction. the at light came on and the car made a jerking motion and a clunking noise. it lost power and would not shift which is very dangerous in moving traffic. it put me at risk for getting hit by another vehicle not expecting the abrupt change in speed by my vehicle. the check engine light is now lit up. there we…”
2023-08-24 · Structure“the contact owns a 2013 mazda mazda3. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v644000 (structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue.…”
2023-08-07 · Seat Belts“all my seatbuckels are tearing. i thought it could of been my dog, but i a certain i did not give up my seat or let him drive. my driver side is also tearing. i noticed the buckle catching when securing it, and now it has moved past snag and had a quarter inch tear that it catches on. the buckle is not wide enough for the belt. the belt is no longe…”
2023-06-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System“after filing up the gas tank, there is a strong smell of fuel coming from the car. it remains strong until the tank is run down to about 3/4. gas can be seen dripping down the tank under the car. gas drips are clearly visible on the ground. this has been an ongoing problem for approximately two years.…”
2023-02-16 · Steering“steering becomes unpredictable and stiff accompanied by surging and loss of power. check engine light comes on. code p0882…”
2023-01-29 · Service Brakes“abs module suddenly start failing causing brake sinks down. almost crashed because of it. it appears to be a very common issue but mazda still does not recall these abs modules made by ford/ate. also, it does not show any abs warning light, which might be why not many people have called on this as they probably thought it was normal. there is all s…”
2022-08-04 · Unknown Or Other“i had the dashboard recalled and replaced. the new dashboard is separating from the computer screen on dash. …”
2022-04-22 · Unknown Or Other“tracking number 11461728 added information email from manufacture mitsubushi electric incorporated…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.