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
117 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Dec 28, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Dec 13, 2016
THE NUMBER 3 ENGINE MOUNT BROKE AT 52,000 MILES.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Nov 16, 2016
WHEN BRAKING OR DECELERATING, THE HEADLIGHTS PULSE. IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE SIGNALING OTHER DRIVERS AT NIGHT (ALTHOUGH WHO KNOWS WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSEDLY SAYING) AND IT IS A SERIOUS HAZARD. THIS WAS PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM HEADING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AT NIGHT DURING A WINTER STORM TO HAVE OUR VISIBILITY GO IN AND OUT. THERE IS ALREADY A NOTICE OUT ACCORDING TO OUR MECHANIC, BUT WE RECEIVED NOTHING FROM MAZDA AND ARE BEING CHARGED TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY CAUSING THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Sep 11, 2016
EXPERIENCING NOISY/CLUNKY SHIFTING WHEN MOVING UP OR DOWN BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. (LOWER TWO GEARS WORSE) HAPPENS WHETHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING BUT SEEMS WORSE WHEN STATIONARY, THOUGH THIS MAY BE DUE TO LESS ENGINE NOISE AND BEING ABLE TO FOCUS MORE ON THE ISSUE. STARTED TO HAPPEN BEFORE EVEN REACHING 50K MILES.
Structure, Sep 3, 2016, crash
A FEW MONTHS AGO, I BUMPED A PICKUP TRUCK - AT PERHAPS 2 OR 3 MPH. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, BUT MY CAR SUSTAINED OVER $4,000 IN BODY DAMAGE FROM THIS VERY MINOR INCIDENT. YESTERDAY, I CAME BACK FROM THE STORE AND FOUND THAT SOMEONE HAD BACKED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CAR WITH AN SUV OR SOMETHING, AND THE WHOLE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR IS PUSHED OVER ALMOST TWO INCHES TO THE LEFT. THE PAINT IS BARELY SCRATCHED! NO GLASS OR PLASTIC IS BROKEN, BUT THE FRONT OF THIS CAR IS JUST ASTONISHINGLY FRAGILE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE 5 MPH BUMPERS SO VERY MINOR PARKING LOT INCIDENTS LIKE THESE DON'T RESULT IN HUGE DAMAGES. THIS THING IS SO DELICATE THAT SO MUCH AS LOOKING AT IT HARD RESULTS IN SERIOUS DAMAGE. I DON'T THINK THE REQUIRED 5 MPH BUMPERS ARE DOING ANYTHING AT ALL AND ARE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE. YOU COULD TOTAL THIS CAR BY RUNNING INTO IT WITH A SHOPPING CART, AND THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Steering, Aug 11, 2016
THE POWER STEERING ON MY VEHICLE TURNS ON AND OFF. I PUSH THE POWER BUTTON TO START THE ENGINE, AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WILL BE ON, AND I CANNOT STEER THE CAR. OCCASIONALLY IT WILL TURN OFF AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES, OR SOMETIMES IT WILL TURN OFF IF I RESTART THE CAR, OR SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT BE ON WHEN I START THE CAR.
Wheels, Aug 9, 2016
PURCHASE 4 CONTINENTAL EXTREME CONTACT TIRES (PK15-46-1960: 205/55R-16) ON 1/12/2015 . ON SATURDAY 8/6/2016 AROUND 5 PM THE 2 TIRES ON THE PASSENGER BLEW OUT AT THE SIDE WALL AT THE SAME TIME. LUCKY MY DAUGHTER WAS JUST PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT (WITNESS SAY SHE DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING). NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING A PROBLEM. HAD TO GO TO FIRESTONE FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. REPLACED THE ONES ON DRIVER SIDE FOR I DIDN'T TRUST THEM. FILE A WARRANTY ISSUE AND EVEN CALL CONTINENTAL THEY TO BAD ABOUT THE OTHER 2 TIRES. I BELIEVE THESE TIRES HAVE A DEFECT FOR THEY HAVE PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT ON THEM
Air bags, Jul 27, 2016
2012 MAZDA3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAG RECALL INFORMATION. *SMD
Seats, Jul 13, 2016
THE HEADREST IS ANGLED TOO FAR FORWARD. I AM A SMALL FRAMED INDIVIDUAL 5'6", 115 LBS. I HAVE GOOD POSTURE. THIS SEAT AND HEAD REST DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO REST MY SHOULDERS AGAINST THE SEAT, RATHER I HAVE TO ROLL MY SHOULDERS FORWARD TO KEEP MY HEAD AWAY FROM THE HEADREST CAUSING SHOULDERS AND PAIN SO EXTREME THAT I FEEL LIKE VOMITING EACH TIME I DRIVE; MY COMMUTE IS ONLY 20-30 MINUTES. I HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE SEAT POSITIONS WITH THE LIMITED 2 ADJUSTMENTS I HAVE TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE READ THAT THE SEATS ARE MADE FOR LARGER PEOPLE WITH BROADER SHOULDERS-THEY WILL FILL THE SEAT AND DON'T SINK BACK INTO IT AS SMALLER INDIVIDUALS DO. SUCH PAIN IS A DISTRACTION TO DRIVING, MY HEAD SHOULD NOT BE FORCED DOWNWARD.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHT FLASHED SEVEN TIMES AND PAUSED REPEATEDLY EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT, A TECHNICIAN, ATTACHED THE VEHICLE TO A SCANNER THAT PROVIDED THE CODE: B229A/CODE 17. THE CODE THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN AIR BAG/AIR BAG SENSOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 29, 2016
WHEN BREAKING MY HEADLIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF. IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN BREAKING. SECOND ISSUE: WHEN BACKING UP FROM REVERSE GEAR AND PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES TO ENGAGE AND THE CAR SURGES FORWARD LIKE IT IS NOT IN GEAR. IT WILL ALSO MAKE A METAL ON METAL SOUND WHEN FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIRD ISSUE: AT 55 MPH THE VEHICLE SHAKES. DEALER SAID THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT BUT IT HAPPENS ALWAYS AT 55MPH.
Other or unspecified, Jun 1, 2016
ON APRIL 27, 2016 I NOTICED A GAP BETWEEN THE SCREEN OR MY INFORMATION DISPLAY AND THE UPPER PORTION OF THE DASHBOARD. I ASKED MY LOCAL BODY SHOP IF IT WAS RELATED TO SOMETHING ELSE THEY HAD JUST TAKEN CARE OF; THE OWNER LOOKED INTO IT, SPOKE TO DOME LOCAL DEALERSHIPS, AND TOLD ME IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MAZDA DASHBOARDS BUT THEY WON'T FIX IT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS COULD POTENTIALLY BE AFFECTED IF MOISTURE, DUST, ETC. ENTER THE GAP, AND I ALSO DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS CONTINUING TO SEPARATE. WHAT'S THE END POINT? WHAT IF PART OF THE DASHBOARD COLLAPSES WHILE I'M DRIVING? MAZDA ISN'T TALKING.
Exterior lighting, May 4, 2016
EVERY TIME I SLOW DOWN (BRAKING OR JUST DECELERATING) THE LIGHTS FLICKER. THIS HAPPENS WITH HIGH OR LOW BEAMS. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY, BUT AFTER REPLACEMENT THIS CONTINUED.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE REVVED AND VIOLENTLY JERKED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 23,000. UPDATED 05/11/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Apr 1, 2016
HEADLIGHTS PULSE, LIKE OTHERS HAVE STATED WHEN DECELERATING, AS IN COMING DOWN A HILL WHILE GENTLY BRAKING. I AM PUTTING THE LATEST DATE OF OCCURRENCE, BUT ITS BEEN GOING ON SINCE ABOUT SUMMER OF 2015. WOULD LIKE THIS RESOLVED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 22, 2016
WHEN THE CAR DECELERATORS, OR MORE NOTICEABLY, WHEN I'M BREAKING, THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER, ALMOST PULSING. IT HAS NOT GOTTEN ME INTO ANY TROUBLE YET, I'VE HEARD OF NEAR HITS BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS THOUGHT THEY WERE ALLOWING THEM TO MERGE IN FRONT OF THEM. I'M MOST AFRAID THAT SOMEONE WILL THINK I'M THREATENING THEM BY FLASHING MY LIGHTS AT THEM. AS IF I'M ANGRY THEY CUT ME OFF AND FLASHING MY LIGHTS IN ANGER, FOR EXAMPLE. IT'S VERY RARE FOR THIS NOT TO HAPPEN WHEN IT IS DARK. MY BOYFRIEND IS ALSO AFRAID THAT THE LIGHTS ARE GOING TO GO OUT SPONTANEOUSLY, LEAVING ME IN THE DARK.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 7, 2016
WHEN DECELERATING (BRAKING) HEADLIGHTS FLICKER. THIS MAKES NIGHT TIME DRIVING DANGEROUS & DIFFICULT.
Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jan 1, 2016
DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATES AND APPLY BRAKES (WHICH IS MORE NOTICEABLE) THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKER. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE THINK I'M A POLICE OFFICER BEHIND THEM, ALSO HAD VEHICLES PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS FLASHING MY LIGHTS FOR THEM TO GO. I HAVE TAKING THE CAR INTO MAZDA DEALER HAVE LOOKED AT AS WELL AS WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND THEY HAVE YET TO SAY WHAT'S WRONG OR EVEN FIX IT. IF YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR 5-10 MINUTES IT STOPS FLICKERING FOR A DAY OR SO, BUT STARTS BACK UP AND AT TIME BEEN WORSE THAN PREVIOUS TIMES.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 28, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF. RADIO AND HEADLIGHTS REMAIN ON, BUT POWER STEERING STOPS FUNCTIONING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, 4 TIMES ON SURFACE STREETS AND ONCE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG THE TWO TIMES I HAVE TAKEN IT IN. THERE IS NO CODE BEING DISPLAYED.
Electrical system, Dec 19, 2015
HORN GRADUALLY FAILED, BECAME WEAKER AND WEAKER, EVENTUALLY TOTALLY SILENT. LOOKED ON GOOGLE TO FIND LOCATION (IT IS VERY TIGHT IN THERE!) DISCOVERED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF FAILED HORNS FOR THIS EXACT MAKE AND MODEL. HORN IS MADE BY FIAMM (ITALY). EXAMINED HORN, THE ADJUSTMENT SCREW IS SEALED. FAILURE IS INTERNAL. VEHICLE IS TWO YEARS OLD, HAS 39,000 MILES. REPLACED HORN WITH $10 AFTERMARKET ITEM, ALL OK NOW. TOOK ME ABOUT 45 MINUTES TO DO, AND I AM AN EXPERIENCED MECHANIC (CAUSE IS ABSOLUTELY MISERABLE ACCESS, ONLY HAD TO REMOVE ONE NUT AND ONE WIRE, THE TRICK IS GETTING TO IT), I FIX EVERYTHING FROM WRISTWATCHES TO AIRPLANE ENGINES. NO ACCIDENTS, NO INJURIES, BUT YOU MUST HAVE A WORKING HORN . . . THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, AND I WANT HER TO BE SAFE.
Exterior lighting, Nov 24, 2015
WHILE BRAKING THE FRONT LIGHTS ARE PULSING FROM REGULAR TO DIM AND BACK AND FORTH. THEY RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED WHILE EXITING FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO A DOWN RAMP.THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FROM MAZDA ON THIS, #13-21. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE TO MY VEHICLE TO NO AVAIL. THE PROBLEM IS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE IN MY OPINION.
Service brakes, Jul 27, 2015, crash
7/26/15 6:15 PM I WENT TO A FAMILY FRIEND'S HOUSE. I PULLED UP INTO HIS MAIN DRIVEWAY, TURNED TO THE LEFT TO A DIRT DRIVE WAY IT HAD ABOUT A 3% GRADE INCLINE. I PULLED MY E BREAK, PUT INTO 1ST GEAR AND TURNED OFF MY CAR AND GOT OUT, GOT MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED UP TO THE HOUSE WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER. WITH THE INTENT TO ONLY STAY AT OUR FRIENDS HOUSE FOR ABOUT 15 MINS. WE WERE OUTSIDE CHATTING AT OUR FRIENDS HOUSE ABOUT 15 MINS AND LOOKING TO HEAD OUT WHEN MY WIFE YELLS FOR MY ATTENTION! I TURN AROUND AND SEE MY CAR ROLLING BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE MAIN DRIVEWAY AND DOWN INTO A RAVINE ABOUT 20 FT DOWN. OF COURSE THIS IS A HUGE SHOCK TO MY LIFE! WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT MY DAUGHTER OR DOG WAS NOT WAITING IN THE CAR, AS WE WERE ONLY PICKING UP AN ITEM FROM OUR FRIENDS HOUSE. THE ISSUE I HAVE IS, WHY DID THE VEHICLE ROLL BACKWARDS WHILE IN GEAR AND WITH THE E BREAK PULLED. THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE MOVED. I NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANOTHER EVENT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, AND I NEED TO HAVE ALL THE FACTORY RECALLS AND DEFICIENCIES WITH THE E BREAK. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY MOMENT, AND I AM STILL IN SHOCK WITH THIS SITUATION THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.
Wheels, Service brakes, Jul 7, 2015
BRAKE CALIPERS AND PISTONS WERE DEFECTED AND WOULDN'T RELEASE AFTER YOU RELEASED THE BRAKE. THE WHEELS HAD TO BE MOVING FOR THE BRAKES THE BE RELEASES. CAUSING THE THE BRAKE PADS TO GRIND DOWN TO NOTHING AND HAVE METAL ON METAL CONTACT. IT WAS WORSE IN THE FRONT THEN THE BACK. I RECEIVED ALL NEW BRAKE CALIPERS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T BE FIXED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, May 26, 2015
NOTICED FLICKERING OF HEADLIGHTS DURING NIGHT DRIVING WHILE BRAKING. THIS HEADLIGHT FLICKER WAS REPEATABLE WHILE NIGHT DRIVING AND BRAKING AT MODERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 9, 2015
A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE LOW BATTERY INDICATOR CAME ON INDICATING THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY KEY FOB BATTERY. MY CAR HAS A KEYLESS IGNITION/ PUSH-BUTTON START. I REPLACED THE BATTERY IN EACH OF MY KEY FOBS ABOUT A WEEK LATER. AFTER AN ADDITIONAL WEEK, MY CAR WILL NOT START WITH EITHER KEY FOB. THE DASHBOARD STATES THAT THE KEY IS NOT FOUND, EVEN THOUGH I REPLACED BOTH KEY FOB BATTERIES. I HAD TO TAKE THE IGNITION COVER OFF AND INSERT THE KEY TO START THE CAR. MAZDA IS CHARGING ME $100 JUST TO GET THIS LOOKED AT. *TR