2013 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Exterior lighting is the leading concern among 117 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 7 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgateSep 6, 2016
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 the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 16V644000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
36 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 14, 2024
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 while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB on this issue (attached) and Mazda is well aware of this happening. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output controlled by the PCM when the battery is under a heavy load. They are to the point now of charging people for a doing the TSB on the car that is causing the problem of the alternator not producing the proper wattage to support both the headlights and the brake lights at the same time. There are numerous online forum entries that speak of this issue with 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3's. I am very concerned that my headlights may stop working which could result in my death or the death of my occupants of my vehicle not to mention the other motorists on the road around me if my head lights were to eventually fail at night due to lack of proper wattage to the headlights. There are videos on you tube that show these pulsing headlights on Mazda's. I believe that headlights are important enough safety issue that their failing could result in death if the headlights completely failed due to the known fault in these vehicles over time.
Exterior lighting, Oct 12, 2021
When driving at highway speeds and applying brakes, the headlights will pulse bright to dim for the duration of braking. I have seen this problem reported online by several dealers and it has a known software update to fix the problem, but it is not listed under the recalls for this vehicle. A similar problem exists on the 2014 Mazda's and a recall does exist for that vehicle.
Exterior lighting, Mar 15, 2021
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND FLICKER UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED. NIGHTTIME VIABILITY IS SUBSTANTIALLY DIMINISHED WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS AND FLICKERING SEAMS TO SEND A SIGNAL TO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. THIS DEFECT OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME WHEN APPLYING THE BEAKS AT NIGHT WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON.
Power train, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Mar 12, 2021
WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKES ALL THE VEHICLES LIGHTS FLASHING FROM BRIGHT TO DEEM THE HEADLIGHTS, INSIDE PANEL LIGHTS FLASHING FROM BRIGHT TO DEEM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT NIGHT IT ACTS LIKE CAR IS LOSING POWER
Exterior lighting, Feb 9, 2021
ONGOING PROBLEM - REPORTED BY OTHERS IN MANY FORUMS. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED. DURING BREAKING HEADLIGHTS PULSE BRIGHTER AND DIMMER
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 1, 2020
LIGHTING:WHEN APPLYING BREAKS, HEADLIGHTS FLICKER. WINDSHIELD: LEAKS. ADHESIVE EXPANDED, CAUSING SEAL TO BREAK. WATER POURS IN ON DASH FROM SIDE DURING BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS OR CAR WASH. ADHESIVE ALSO EXPANDED ON GAUGE PANEL, CAUSING DISPLAY WINDOW TO LIFT. WAS THIS WAY WHEN PURCHASED. DID NOT NOTICE HEADLIGHTS AND WINDOW SEAL AT TIME OF PURCHASE.
Exterior lighting, Feb 18, 2020
DESCRIPTION THIS VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DECELERATING (BY APPLYING THE BRAKES) WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON. THIS CONCERN IS CAUSED BY INADEQUATE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT (CONTROLLED BY THE PCM) WHEN THE BATTERY IS UNDER HEAVY LOAD. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE CONTROL LOGIC OF THE PCM HAS BEEN CHANGED. MAZDA WILL NOT UPDATE THE PCM WITHOUT CHARGING CUSTOMERS A DIAGNOSTIC AND REPROGRAMMING FEE IN THE US.
Exterior lighting, Dec 14, 2019
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS FLICKER/PULSE. OVER THE LAST 6-12 MONTHS THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED SO THAT IT HAS BEGUN REDUCING VISIBILITY. PLUS, NEARBY CARS ARE DISTRACTED, EVIDENTLY THINKING WE ARE IN DISTRESS. WE BELIEVE THIS CREATES AN ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC HAZARD. NOTE: INITIALLY, THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY NOTICEABLE WHEN SLOWING FROM AN INITIAL SPEED OF ABOUT 25-40MPH. NOW IT SEEMS TO HAVE ADVANCED TO HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED ABOVE ABOUT 25MPH.
Exterior lighting, Dec 9, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 20-60 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED SMITH HAVEN MAZDA (827 JERICHO TURNPIKE, ST JAMES, NY 11780, 631) 724-4070) AND MAZDA 112 (2112 NY-112, MEDFORD, NY 11763, (631) 256-1074), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED REFERENCE NUMBER: 1-2451813550 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 19, 2019
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE DECELERATING. ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN BRAKING. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A LONG TIME, JUST DECIDED NOW TO REPORT IT. I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE.
Exterior lighting, Sep 12, 2019
WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES, THE LIGHT FLASH ALMOST AS IF IT FLASHING MY BRIGHT LIGHT, NO MATTER WHERE OR HOW FAST OR SLOW I'M DRIVING.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Feb 24, 2019
MY HEADLIGHTS DIM AND FLICKER, MOST NOTICEABLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. IT WAS BARELY NOTICABLE AT FIRST. MY SON-IN-LAW, WHO IS AN AUTO AND DIESEL MECHANIC, BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION IN DECEMBER 2017 WHEN HE WAS DRIVING IT. IT IS GETTING WORSE AND BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM, MAKING IT HARD TO SEE, ESPECIALLY WHEN APPROACHING A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. I AM NOT SURE IF THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE ALSO EFFECTED, BUT COMPLAINT ID 11164134 REPORTED THAT THEIR'S WERE. MY EXPERIENCE WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSES ME TO WORRY THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FAIL ENTIRELY, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. THIS IS NOT A SINGLE INCIDENT; IT ALWAYS OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT, SO I AM PUTTING TODAY'S DATE IN THE "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" FIELD BECAUSE I CAN'T INDICATE THAT IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE FOUR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM ALL INDICATE NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES; I HOPE THERE DON'T HAVE TO BE INJURIES OR FATALITIES FOR THIS TO BE CONSIDERED SERIOUS ENOUGH TO WARRANT A RECALL. ALSO, THE SPEED DOESN'T MATTER, I HAD TO PUT IN A NUMBER SO I INDICATED 45 MPH, BUT IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY AT 80 MPH AS WELL AS ON CITY STREETS. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 49,259 MILES ON THE CAR. WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT HAD 33,370 MILES ON IT. LIKE I SAID, IT IS GETTING WORSE. IT IS MORE DISTRACTING DUE TO MORE PRONOUNCED FLICKERING AND DIMMING OF THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ROAD.
Exterior lighting, Dec 12, 2018
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN BRAKING.
Exterior lighting, Nov 1, 2018
WHEN DRIVING WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND I BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN, WHETHER COASTING OR USING THE BRAKE, MY HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER REALLY BAD. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT HAPPENS 90% OF THE TIME. THERE ARE TIMES THEY FLICKER BAD ENOUGH THAT IT LOOKS LIKE I AM FLASHING MY HIGHBEAMS. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER MULTIPLE TIMES BECAUSE OF HOW HARD IT MADE IT TO CONCENTRATE ON THE SURROUNDING AREA. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT ITS LIKE FOR SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME OR DRIVING TOWARDS ME. SOMETIMES THEY WILL ALSO FLASH A FEW TIMES WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY CONTINUE TO SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. SO IT IS STILL AN ONGOING PROBLEM FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT IT.
Exterior lighting, Seats, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2018
THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHEN BRAKING OR IN PARKED. DRIVERS SEAT WOBBLES/ROCKS/SHIFTS WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DANGEROUS.
Exterior lighting, Jun 7, 2018
2013 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 25, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERED AND FLASHED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAXON HYUNDAI MAZDA (2329 US 22, UNION, NJ 07083). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO CRYSTAL MAZDA (220 RTE 22 WEST, GREENBROOKEE, NJ 08812) WHERE IT WAS ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Nov 27, 2017
PCM DOES NOT REGULATE ALTERNATOR OUTPUT CORRECTLY CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO FLASH/STROBE AND HORN TONE TO FLUCTUATE WHILE BRAKING IN MOTION. THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHING COULD LEAD OTHER DRIVERS TO BELIEVE YOU ARE SIGNALING THEM, AND LACK OF POWER TO HORN REDUCES THE AUDIBILITY AND MAY NOT BE HEARD BY OTHER DRIVERS. DEALERSHIP/MAZDA IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS PROVIDED A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL, THUS REQUIRING CONSUMERS TO PAY $60-$100 USD FOR THE UPDATE IF OUT OF WARRANTY. ON NOVEMBER 22TH 2017 I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND WAS BRAKING COMING TO THE RED LIGHT WHEN A VEHICLE ON A SIDE STREET WAVED AT ME AND PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I USED MY HORN OF WHICH FLUCTUATED WITH POWER, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID THE CRASH BUT IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. I SUSPECT THE OTHER VEHICLE THOUGHT MY FLASHING HEADLIGHTS WERE SIGNALING THEM TO "GO AHEAD". I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS THIS ISSUE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 15, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (MAZDA KNOXVILLE, 8814 KINGSTON PIKE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37923) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 4, 2017
I HAVE A 2013 MAZDA 3I 5-DOOR HATCHBACK WITH APPROXIMATELY 61,000 MILES, 90% HIGHWAY DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK. AFTER HAVING THE BATTERY REPLACED (ORIGINAL) EARLIER THIS YEAR, I THEN NOTICED THAT MY HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY, AT THAT TIME. AS THE YEAR PROGRESSED, THE HEADLIGHT FLASHING, WHICH PRESENTS ITSELF ONLY UPON BRAKING OR DECELERATION, BECAME MARKEDLY INCREASED AND BRIGHTER, INCLUDING THE DASHBOARD INFORMATION SYSTEMS WINDOW INSIDE. I WENT TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC, WHO FIRST PUT MY CAR ON DIAGNOSTIC, WHICH SHOWED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS VERY WEAK/WORN. SINCE I HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY, THROUGH A PRIVATE COMPANY, BUT ONLY UNTIL 60,000/5 YEARS, I RUSHED TO MAKE TIME FOR THE MECHANIC TO RECEIVE AUTHORIZATION AND REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, WHICH HE DID, AND MY CAR RUNS GREAT. THERE REMAINS, THOUGH, THE PROBLEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS FLASHING. SINCE THE MECHANIC DID RESET THE COMPUTER, WE WERE STUMPED. THEN MY HUSBAND FOUND A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM MAZDA DEALING WITH THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE, STATING THAT THE CAR MUST GO TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ONLY THE DEALER CAN RESET ALL THE PARTS OF THE COMPUTER. I THEN CONTACTED MAZDA, BUT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE MADE TO PAY FOR THIS ADJUSTMENT/REPAIR SINCE MAZDA APPARENTLY IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR. JUST GOOGLE IT, THERE ARE ALOT OF M3 OWNERS OUT THERE WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS, MOST GOT RESOLVED BECAUSE THEY WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. GREAT FOR THEM, BUT THAT DOESN'T HELP ME. NOT ONLY IS THIS A PROBLEM FOR ME SINCE I DRIVE NEARLY 40 MILES EACH WAY TO/FROM WORK EACH NIGHT, BUT I AM TIRED OF OTHER DRIVERS FLASHING THEIR LIGHTS AT ME, HONKING, OR YELLING. IT IS MOST ANNOYING, NOT TO MENTION A SAFETY HAZARD, SINCE I AM A NIGHT-TIME/EARLY MORNING DRIVER, PREDOMINANTLY DRIVING IN THE DARK. PLEASE ADVISE.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Aug 30, 2017
HEADLIGHTS FLICKER WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. PROBLEM OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. SOMETIMES CARS THINK I AM FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM SO THEY WILL TURN THEIR BRIGHT LIGHTS ON. ONCE I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF A WINDING ROAD BECAUSE WHEN THE FLICKERING LIGHTS BOUNCED OFF OF THE GUARD RAIL REFLECTORS, IT WAS DISORIENTING
Exterior lighting, Aug 27, 2017
THE HEADLIGHTS ON A NEWLY PURCHASED USED 2013 MAZDA 3 FLICKERING WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON UNLIT STREETS AT NIGHT. TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A COVERED MANUFACTURED ISSUE. THIS IS WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND BEING DRIVEN.
Exterior lighting, Aug 23, 2017
HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY KEEPS COLLECTING WATER WHICH SHORTS OUT THE HEADLIGHTS AND BALLAST. I KEEP FINDING THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WHEN RESEARCHING IT ONLINE. I CAN'T FIND ANY OBVIOUS WORN SEALS OR CRACKS. I'VE CHANGED MY LIGHTBULB 3 TIMES SO FAR IN SIX MONTHS. I FIND WATER EVERY TIME. MY LIGHT WILL MAGICALLY JUST GO OUT WHILE I'M DRIVING USUALLY AT NIGHT.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 30, 2017
WHEN DECELERATING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON WHILE IN MOTION, HEADLIGHTS FLICKER UNTIL PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM BRAKE PEDAL. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS CHARGED $26.38 FOR PCM REPROGRAMMING.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jan 10, 2017
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER OR PULSE. THE FLASHING HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY NOTICEABLE WHEN FOLLOWING BEHIND ANOTHER CAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MANY MONTHS.