2018 Mazda Mazda3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (16) · Electrical System (16) · Back Over Prevention (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
37 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
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2021-11-12 · campaign 21V875000 · 121,038 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2019-04-04 · campaign 19V272000 · 187,880 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System 2017-11-21 · campaign 17V745000 · 144 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (462)
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
Engine 2026-08-10 · 01-010-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 description some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2). this is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fittin
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 462 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Equipment:electrical:infotainment“the contact owns a 2018 mazda mazda3. the contact stated that while reversing, the rearview camera displayed a distorted image, nearly resulting in a collision with a parked vehicle. several unknown warning lights illuminated, creating a driver distraction. in addition, the infotainment screen delaminated and experienced ghost touching with random …”
2026-10-13 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 mazda mazda3. the contact stated that while driving uphill at 45 mph, the vehicle sputtered, hesitated to accelerate, and the check engine warning light illuminated. when the contact firmly depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine made a knocking noise, and the vehicle stalled. diagnostic testing at autozone retrieved dtc…”
2026-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“the sunroof spontaneously shattered while i was driving. it sounded like a small explosion. i am positive that no object struck the vehicle.…”
2026-06-05 · Visibility/Wiper · 200,000 mi“the contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2018 mazda mazda3. the contact stated that the windshield wipers had become inoperable. the vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, tire-rama, where the windshield wiper switch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with …”
2026-03-24 · Visibility/Wiper“while i was driving on the highway, i went to use my front wipers and there was no response when trying to active them. the rear wiper, front and rear washer fluid sprayers all worked. no warning lights or other signs of failure were present. i took the car to a local repair shop and they diagnosed it as a bad body control module. once the module w…”
2026-02-02 · Unknown Or Other“ the center dashboard information screen developed "spider cracks" and got opaque in the corners of the screen. the screen would change functions / jump around commands without being touched while driving ( from nav to radio, change radio stations etc) - apparently called 'ghost touch". mazda has been aware of the defect for some time and issued a…”
2026-01-23 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 179,550 mi“the contact owns a 2018 mazda mazda3. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a strong fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle and inside the vehicle. the contact stated that the failure had occurred after refueling. no warning lights were illuminated. the dealer was made aware of the failure, and an a…”
2025-11-19 · Power Train“my 2018 mazda 3 has an intermittent electrical failure on the high-speed can network that causes multiple safety-critical systems to fail while driving. when the fault occurs, the dash lights up with warnings for powertrain, abs/traction, lane departure, collision-avoidance, tpms, immobilizer, and the check-engine light. the car also hesitates or “…”
2025-11-17 · Unknown Or Other“the infotainment system is cracking uncontrollably and will make the rear view camera unusable and a safety issue. it keeps resetting every minute. mazda corporation wont pay for the repair that they are charging about 1,000 to fix it.…”
2025-10-20 · Power Train“what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the high-pressure fuel pump failed. this component failure prevents the car from starting or staying running. the check engine code confirmed the high-pressure fuel pump failure. the failed component is currently at the mazda dealership and is availab…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.