2020 Mazda Mazda3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings (6) · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking (6) · Suspension (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mazda3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper 2020-06-12 · campaign 20V346000 · 24,037 vehicles
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.
Risk: Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking 2019-12-19 · campaign 19V907000 · 35,390 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (726)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-17 · SA-042-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mazda connected services - frequently asked questions (faq) this service alert supersedes the previously issued sas listed below. the changes are noted in red text. sa-042/26 06/30/26 description frequently asked questions (faq) index general questions mazda connect indication setup and getting st
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
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-10 · SA-038-26b · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. the changes are noted in red text. sa-038/26 08/18/26 and 06/15/26 description some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. infotainment center display does not provide the authorization code (otp) during t
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · SA-038-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. the changes are noted in red text. sa-038/26 06/15/26 description some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. infotainment center display does not provide the authorization code (otp) during the mymazda a
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · SA-054-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued service alerts listed below: the changes are noted in red. infotainment reboot with navigation card installed this service information is no longer valid. refer to the following updated technical service bulletins: cx-5 / cx-9: 16-002/23 - updated
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-19 · SA-039-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service alert supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red text. sa-039/26 06/15/26 mazda connect symptom troubleshooting description customers having mazda connect concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
Showing the 6 most recent of 726 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“low pressure fuel pump failure with 75,575 miles on odometer. fuel pump completely seized. car was parked at a retail location and would not start. upon troubleshooting, mechanic was able to determine the low pressure pump was not delivering fuel. pump was replaced. faulty fuel pumps could lead to hazardous conditions as they are mounted wit…”
2026-03-13 · Tires:sidewall“size 21545zr18 93y. replaced these oem tires with these from costco on feb 27 2025. in dec 5 2025 the tire developed a large bubble. miles bought was 27790. current miles 31212. per tire center steal belting was broken no signs of road hazard or other damage. the belt broke and rubber was stressed with " maybe a 1000 miles regaining before catast…”
2026-02-19 · Power Train“my mazda3 began producing a chirp when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (automatic transmission). the dealer stated that the car needed a new torque converter. at the time the car only 37,000 miles on it, quite low mileage for a torque converter to fail. mazda has previously admitted to producing cars with faulty torque converters, as specified in maz…”
2025-11-18 · Suspension“i pulled into the driveway (at about 5 mph) of my passenger's home, when a very loud, metallic pop occurred somewhere inside my vehicle. i could not discern the problem by visually inspecting the car. upon returning to my home, i arranged for the dealership to inspect the car's suspension. they found that both rear springs had snapped off from t…”
2025-11-16 · Suspension“tsb 02-003/24 car front suspension bolts corroded and making metal on metal sounds during turning and braking …”
2025-07-08 · Equipment:other:labels“see attached document for complaint.…”
2024-07-17 · Seat Belts“passenger seat belt won’t retract and remains in a locked state.…”
2024-06-16 · Lane Departure: Warning“google search shows mazda has common problem with their front sensing camera, people are reporting the issue for different mazda models across the board for the last few years including newer models as well. my car display shows few malfunction warning messages. following captured from mymazda app. 1. forward sensing camera malfunction. i-active…”
2023-09-26 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking“while driving on a residential street the automatic emergency braking system activated and brought the car to a very abrupt stop but there was nothing in the front of the car to activate the system. there were no cars in the on-coming lane and no cars in the lane beside my car. when the car stopped the brake warning appeared in the windshield and a…”
2023-08-18 · Service Brakes“my car's automatic emergency brake is deploying without warning, during driving, when there are no other cars in my forward proximity. i took it to the dealership to have it fixed, and on the drive home, it did it again. there is a recall for similar makes and models for this year, but my car has not been included. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.