2014 Mazda Mazda3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (22) · Fuel/Propulsion System (18) · Electrical System (11)
🧭 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
87 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2023-07-14 · campaign 23V487000 · 236,100 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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, anticipa
Parking Brake 2017-06-22 · campaign 17V393000 · 227,814 vehicles
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Risk: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly 2016-09-22 · campaign 16V684000 · 17,484 vehicles
Defect: Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.
Electrical System:alternator/Generator/Regulator 2014-04-03 · campaign 14V173000 · 5,700 vehicles
Defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charg
Risk: Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
Service bulletins (882)
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
Suspension 2026-07-28 · PF-26-02 · Other
supersession between b60s-34-300g/350g and b60s-34- 300h/350h. please be advised that the g-level and h-level control arms are not interchangeable. the g-level part cannot be used to repair a vehicle built with the h-level. the h-level part can be used to repair a vehicle built with the g-level, but
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
Power Train 2026-05-01 · 01-008-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. this may be caused by insufficient sealing at the driv
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-30 · SA-031-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged vin plate or vehicle certification label. to obtain a replacement vin plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact dag (dealer assistance group) using vin plate request form available on
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 882 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-09 · Parking Brake · 70,000 mi“the contact owns a 2014 mazda mazda3. the contact stated that when attempting to secure the vehicle, the electric parking brake failed to engage after pulling up the hand lever. the contact related the failure to nhtsa campaign number: 17v393000 (parking brake); however, the vin was not included in the recall. the vehicle was previously taken to a …”
2026-06-14 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the fuel tank leaks fuel at a full tank and smells of gas in the cabin until about 3/4 tank. car was dripping a large puddle of gas inside of a parking garage. problem has been reproduced by my mechanic even after replacing the fuel pump retaining ring. it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police. cel did not come on until recently repo…”
2026-06-12 · Parking Brake · 72,000 mi“the contact's nephew owns a 2014 mazda mazda3. the contact stated that while parked on several occasions, the parking brake failed to engage, and there was no resistance. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 72,000. …”
2026-03-25 · Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking“the rear backup sensors no longer work and did not give any indication they stopped working. they do not detect cars driving up from behind when driving or switching lanes or objects or people behind the car anymore when you reverse. this happened without any notice or warning indications. …”
2026-02-27 · Unknown Or Other“airbag warning symbol on dashboard flashes with or without passenger seated in front seat. …”
2026-01-19 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System“blend door actuator linkage will not allow for heat to be turned on, will blow cool/cold air, have had it looked at and the gear teeth will not stay in line with on another to be able to turn when the knob inside the car is turned. i was told that this may be a recall but do not see anything listed, but that it is a known problem for this model of …”
2025-10-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System“gas tank is leaking from the top. i could smell gas after a refill (and refilling a portable tank) that i thought must have been a spill i hadn't noticed, and the smell faded. but then it happened again at the next refill, and i knew it wasn't just a spill. brought it to our trusted mechanic who said that the top of the tank was rusted out (wow!…”
2025-09-26 · Engine · 197,687 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2014 mazda mazda3. the contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. the check engine warning light was illuminated. the contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 140,000. the vehicle w…”
2025-06-27 · Service Brakes“the car screen displays, gps, for calls, radio etc, doesn’t works, it’s off, and the airbags are deactivated and they’re off as well and have to press hard on the brake to get the car to stops.…”
2025-04-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“noticed strong smell of gasoline when the car was parked. took it to an independent service dealer who diagnosed leaking fuel from top of the tank. gas tank was removed and replaced. tank cost was $380.00 plus repair shop labor/supplies cost. see attached invoice. during a recent online search for this vehicles current book value i noticed there wa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.