Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018
3rd generation (BM / BN)
NHTSA data through 13 August 2026716 complaints, 367 with mileageMethod
A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation — check the VIN before driving it home.
- Reports with mileage
- 367
- Median of reported failures
- 30,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Problems owners could not categorise (17.6%)
- Recalls
- 9
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, 31% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 3 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000.
Figure 1 · Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018 · 367 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 103 complaints.
- First 12,000 miles — 31% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 2 complaints (0.5%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,350
- 25%
- 7,600
- Median
- 29,850
- 75%
- 60,000
- 90%
- 93,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 103 | 28.1% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 38 | 10.4% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 44 | 12.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 39 | 10.6% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 23 | 6.3% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 27 | 7.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 25 | 6.8% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 12 | 3.3% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 16 | 4.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 13 | 3.5% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 6 | 1.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 7 | 1.9% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 2 | 0.5% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 716 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3, and 367 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
31% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 3 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are problems owners could not categorise (17.6% of complaints, typically around 34,000 miles), the electrical system (17.2% of complaints, typically around 24,000 miles), the brakes (10.3% of complaints, typically around 38,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation. 1 of them carry a severe NHTSA advisory.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3 last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2014–2018 Mazda Mazda3 were filed by 30,000 miles and 90% by 93,000 miles — figures drawn from 367 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
2 reports (0.5%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Mazda3 reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2014–2018 Mazda3: the 3-minute check
Generated from 367 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- A DO NOT DRIVE recall covers part of this generation. Run the VIN before you drive it home — the fix is free at any dealer.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check infotainment on 2014–2016 cars. Mazda Connect TFT display delamination and ghost-touch behavior — the screen changes stations or navigation input on its own while the car is stationary. Replacement is expensive when not covered by goodwill.
- Check brakes on 2014–2016 cars. Water entry into the rear brake caliper corrodes the electric parking brake actuator shaft, which can bind and leave the parking brake applied or inoperative. Recall covering certain 2014-2016 cars. Separately…
- Check fuel system on 2015–2016 cars. Fuel tank shut-off valve can allow liquid fuel into the evaporative emissions system, creating a leak and fire risk. Recall covering certain 2015-2016 cars.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 31% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, problems owners could not categorise and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 24,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine43 reports15,0007,000–46,000Engine: 43 reports, median 15,000 miles, middle half 7,000 to 46,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system49 reports17,000791–38,000Fuel and propulsion system: 49 reports, median 17,000 miles, middle half 791 to 38,000 miles.
- Visibility/wiper37 reports24,00015,000–50,000Visibility/wiper: 37 reports, median 24,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 50,000 miles.
- Electrical system123 reports24,0005,000–44,000Electrical system: 123 reports, median 24,000 miles, middle half 5,000 to 44,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise126 reports34,00021,000–66,000Problems owners could not categorise: 126 reports, median 34,000 miles, middle half 21,000 to 66,000 miles.
- Brakes74 reports38,00012,000–65,000Brakes: 74 reports, median 38,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 65,000 miles.
- Reversing camera and sensors63 reports60,00038,000–80,000Reversing camera and sensors: 63 reports, median 60,000 miles, middle half 38,000 to 80,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Problems owners could not categorise | 126 | 17.6% | 34,000 | 21,000–66,000 |
| Electrical system | 123 | 17.2% | 24,000 | 5,000–44,000 |
| Brakes | 74 | 10.3% | 38,000 | 12,000–65,000 |
| Reversing camera and sensors | 63 | 8.8% | 60,000 | 38,000–80,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 49 | 6.8% | 17,000 | 791–38,000 |
| Engine | 43 | 6.0% | 15,000 | 7,000–46,000 |
| Visibility/wiper | 37 | 5.2% | 24,000 | 15,000–50,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 29 | 4.1% | 26,000 | 9,000–68,000 |
| Parking brake | 17 | 2.4% | 71,000 | 60,000–98,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 16 | 2.2% | 16,000 | 6,500–27,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Mazda Mazda3 2014–2018 · 367 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 89% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 0.5% of reports (2) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
75% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Electrical system — median 24,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 17,000 mi
- Engine — median 15,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 24,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 21,000–66,000 mi
- Brakes — middle half 12,000–65,000 mi
- Reversing camera and sensors — middle half 38,000–80,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
89% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 34,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 24,000 mi
- Brakes — median 38,000 mi
- Reversing camera and sensors — median 60,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 17,000 mi
- Engine — median 15,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 24,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
96% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 34,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 24,000 mi
- Brakes — median 38,000 mi
- Reversing camera and sensors — median 60,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system — median 17,000 mi
- Engine — median 15,000 mi
- Visibility/wiper — median 24,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 29,850 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 17.6% of complaints (126 reports, 40 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 34,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 21,000 and 66,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 17.2% of complaints (123 reports, 48 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 24,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,000 and 44,000 miles.
The brakes account for 10.3% of complaints (74 reports, 46 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 38,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 65,000 miles.
The reversing camera and sensors account for 8.8% of complaints (63 reports, 29 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 60,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 38,000 and 80,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 6.8% of complaints (49 reports, 17 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 17,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 791 and 38,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 6.0% of complaints (43 reports, 32 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 15,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 7,000 and 46,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2014 model year drew the most — 181 complaints — while 2017 drew the fewest at 105. The median year sits at 139.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
1 of these carry a severe advisory — NHTSA's do not drive or park outside warnings, which the agency applies only when it considers the risk immediate. If you own one of these vehicles, that is the first thing to check by VIN.
The campaigns cluster around the fuel system (4), the reversing camera and sensors (1), visibility equipment (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 716 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 61 (8.5%)
- Fires
- 6
- Injury reports
- 28
- Fatality reports
- 2
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Infotainment 2014–2016
Mazda Connect TFT display delamination and ghost-touch behavior — the screen changes stations or navigation input on its own while the car is stationary. Replacement is expensive when not covered by goodwill.
Brakes 2014–2016
Water entry into the rear brake caliper corrodes the electric parking brake actuator shaft, which can bind and leave the parking brake applied or inoperative. Recall covering certain 2014-2016 cars. Separately, premature rear brake pad and rotor wear is a high-frequency complaint.
Fuel System 2015–2016
Fuel tank shut-off valve can allow liquid fuel into the evaporative emissions system, creating a leak and fire risk. Recall covering certain 2015-2016 cars.
Engine 2018 (valve spring recall); 2014–2018 (carbon/oil seepage)
Incorrectly manufactured exhaust valve springs that may fracture in service, causing engine stall. Recall covering certain 2018 cars. Separately, front timing cover oil seepage and intake valve carbon deposits from direct injection with PCV oil carryover.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 181 | 120 |
| 2015 | 154 | 94 |
| 2016 | 137 | 61 |
| 2017 | 105 | 44 |
| 2018 | 139 | 48 |
Recalls (9) — is your car included?
Aug 2024 · 2014–2018 · Back Over PreventionA rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a…
The 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.
What can happen. A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The free 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, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6
Jul 2022 · 2018 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What can happen. Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
May 2019 · 2016–2018 · VisibilityReduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
The 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.
What can happen. Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
The free 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.
Jan 2018 · 2018 · Engine and Engine CoolingAn engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What can happen. An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The free 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.
Dec 2017 · 2014–2016 · Parking BrakeIf the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully.
The 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.
What can happen. 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.
The free 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.
Nov 2016 · 2016 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe 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 0216I.
Nov 2016 · 2014–2016 · Fuel System, GasolineA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The free 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.
Oct 2015 · 2015–2016 · Fuel System, Gasoline do not driveA fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.
What can happen. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.
May 2014 · 2014 · Electrical SystemOnce the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in…
The 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 charging system.
What can happen. 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.
The free 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.
What owners reported
The passenger seat belt had a tensioner that was broken from either right off the dealer's lot or shortly after. Under hard braking, my wife hit the dashboard inside the car once as a passenger. I should have brought it in earlier. I just brought it in today (6/20/2017) to the Mazda dealer (putnam Mazda in burlingame…
2014 · 100 miles · Seat belts
Harsh vibration in cabin similar to an engine misfire occurs randomly near idle or immediately after ignition. The dealership and manufacturer have been made aware of this concern and were unsuccessful in reproducing or isolating source of the vibration. Video documentation of the failure during its occurrence has…
2014 · 791 miles · Engine
I initially had issue getting into and out of the 3rd and 4th gear (manual transmission car). I could feel gears grinding during shifting (with the clutch fully depressed). The dealer replaced the third gear. After the fix, the car now has difficulty getting into and out of gear 2 and 3. This problem is intermittent…
2014 · 1,500 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 367 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page