2014 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 138 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 10 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 5 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraJul 14, 2023
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.
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
Campaign 23V487000 on NHTSA.gov
Parking brakeJun 22, 2017
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 17V393000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblySep 22, 2016
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.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 16V684000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, alternator/generator/regulatorApr 3, 2014
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 14V173000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Electrical system, Sep 26, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal growling sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 140,000. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. It was later discovered that the Title mileage was 197,687.
Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving up an incline at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle temporarily lost motive power, and the contact became aware that the vehicle had failed to shift out of first gear. The contact stated that the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument panel was functioning erratically, and the instrument panel lights frequently remained illuminated after turning off the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the head gasket seal had failed, which resulted in an oil leak. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with electrical system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V173000(Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 18, 2024
While accelerating onto a highway, my engine overheating light flashed then stayed on and my acceleration suddenly throttled back and my car started slowing down. I was able to pull over on the shoulder, but there was a close call with a semi bearing down. I had my car towed to a repair shop, where they told me the water jacket had cracked and the overheating caused a blown head gasket. This was repaired and tested. A week later, I got the car up to highway speeds and the engine overheating light flashed again. When I stopped and looked at the engine, there was foamy tan coolant all over the place. Towed it back again and was told the weld had failed. But in trying to find a used cylinder to replace mine, the shop told me that all of their sources said they had no used ones available because the same crack happened on those as well.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 18, 2019
SAFETY RECALL-ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN THE BACKSEAT I NOTICE MY BATTERY LIGHT COME ON. AFTER THAT EVERY WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN EVEN WHEN PRESSING MY FOOT ON THE GAS. THE CAR EVEN TRIED STOPING AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP. WE WERE SUCCESSFULLY ABLE TO GET IT TOWED BUT I BELIEVED THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE THE DEALERS DIDN'T FIX THE RECALL AND INSTAED THEY BYPASSED IT.
Engine, Feb 27, 2019
WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND ACCELERATING TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAR LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED, THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CHECK TIRE PRESSURE CAME ON ALL AT THE SAME TIME. THE CAR ALSO WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE PAST 35-40 MPH. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT ONE OF THE FOUR ENGINE COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A MONTH AND HALF LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND ANOTHER ENGINE COIL IS NEEDING REPLACEMENT.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 2, 2019
OCCASIONALLY THE ENGINE WILL HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING, AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, TPM, AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE DASH. LESS FREQUENTLY, THE ENGINE WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL REMAIN ILLUMINATED, SO I DO NOT THINK IT'S A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 27, 2017, crash
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FORWARD AND FEELS LIKE IT MIGHT BE JAMMED. THE CAR WILL THEN PROPEL INTO GEAR CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO SKID OUT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. IT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING THE WORST WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. THIS HAS RESULTED IN ONE ACCIDENT, AND TWO NEAR FATAL ACCIDENTS.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jul 27, 2016, crash
MY 2014 MAZDA 3 SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. THERE WAS AN EYE-WITNESS. HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED: I WAS DRIVING ON A QUIET, DEAD-IN STREET ACCOMPANIED BY MY HUSBAND. I TURNED LEFT INTO THE TURN AROUND AREA AT THE END OF THE STREET. AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP, WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED'GOING VERY FAST, VERY QUICKLY. IT LEAPT OVER THE CURB, NARROWLY MISSED A TREE AND A FIRE HYDRANT, PASSED BACK OVER THE STREET I HAD BEEN ON MOMENTS EARLIER, AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED PICK-UP TRUCK. THE AIR-BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED IN 2 TO 3 SECONDS. WE WERE NOT HURT. THE EYE WITNESS WAS IN HIS YARD, WHICH ADJOINS THE TURN-AROUND AREA. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE CAME OVER AND ASKED IF I WAS OK. HE ASKED ME IF I COULD TURN MY CAR OFF. THE EYE WITNESS LATER TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN THE WHOLE THING AND THAT I NEVER HAD CONTROL OVER THE CAR. HE SAID HE TOLD THE POLICE THAT HE WAS WATCHING ME TURN MY CAR INTO THE TURNAROUND AREA AND SAW THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. HE WANTED ME TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. HE TOLD ME THAT WHEN HE APPROACHED THE CAR, IT WAS REVVING AND STILL TRYING TO ACCELERATE INTO THE TRUCK, EVEN THOUGH MY FEET WERE NOWHERE NEAR THE PEDALS. THAT WAS WHY HE ASKED IF I COULD TURN THE CAR OFF. I REMEMBERED BEFORE TURNING THE CAR OFF, THAT I COULD HEAR THE WHINE OF THE ENGINE AS IT SOUNDS WHEN IT IS AT HIGH RPMS. THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AND THE FACT THAT THE AIR-BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ARE BOTH SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED MAZDA CORPORATION WHO SENT AN ENGINEER TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM, BUT THEY PUT AN EVENT DATA RECORDER ON THE CAR TO MONITOR IT. THEY DROVE THE CAR FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOTHING SHOWED UP. THE DEALER BOUGHT THE CAR BACK.
Engine, Sep 5, 2015
ON FEBRUARY 23, 2015, I PURCHASED A NEW 2014 MAZDA 3 S GRAND TOURING SEDAN WITH TECHNICAL PACKAGE, VIN # [XXX]. THE VEHICLE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 5,470. SINCE PURCHASE, THIS CAR HAS HAD A STALLING PROBLEM THAT IS INTERMITTENT, UNPREDICTABLE, AND NOT REPRODUCIBLE ON DEMAND. STALLING MEANS IT DOES NOT RESPOND TO NORMAL PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR, AND LITERALLY COASTS FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS TIME MAY VARY FROM 2 TO 10 SECONDS IN A GIVEN INSTANCE. DURING THIS TIME THE MOTOR IS RUNNING, THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND NO CODES ARE THROWN. I HAVE LEARNED THAT QUICKLY REPEATED PRESSING OF THE ACCELERATOR MAY HELP TERMINATE THE STALLING. COMMON FACTORS WHEN STALLING OCCURS SEEM TO BE WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, AND THEN THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A SHORT TIME, RESTARTED, AND MOVED BACK TO TRAFFIC FOLLOWED BY A 90 DEGREE RIGHT OR LEFT TURN OR CAR IS DRIVING NORMAL ROUTE THEN STOPS FOR A STOP LIGHT/STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC, FOLLOWED BY A 90 DEGREE RIGHT OR LEFT TURN. IN BOTH THESE SCENARIOS, THERE IS A SHARP TURN. THE CAR WILL JUST FINISH THE TURN AND THEN STALL WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PRESSED. IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT SAYING THAT IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT THE WRONG TIME, IT COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine, May 17, 2015, crash
IN PARKING GARAGE, TURNING INTO PARKING SPOT. CAR ENGINE REVVED UP, AND CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE GUARD RAIL, SMASHING THE FRONTEND OF THE VEHICLE AND DAMAGING THE RADIATOR. DRIVER DID NOT PUT FOOT ON THE GAS; CAR LUNGED FORWARD ON IT'S OWN. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND DRIVER HAD DARK BRUISES ON ABDOMEN, LEFT ANTERIOR THIGH, AND LEFT SIDE OF NECK D/T SEAT BELT, AND ALSO HAD MINOR WHIPLASH. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE WERE AROUND WHEN CAR ACCELERATED. ALSO, HAD THE CAR HAD MORE THAN JUST A FEW FEET TO RUN INTO SOMETHING, THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED WORSE. PRIOR TO INCIDENT, CAR ENGINE REVVED UP FOR SEVERAL SECONDS ON ITS OWN TWICE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
Engine, Apr 17, 2015
MY VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH STANDARD "PUSH-BUTTON" START WHICH IS USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A RADIO CONTROLLED "KEY FOB." WHILE STANDING WITHIN A CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE VEHICLE, THE DOORS WILL UNLOCK WITH THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON ON THE DOOR HANDLE AND THE VEHICLE WILL START WITH THE TOUCH OF THE INTERIOR START BUTTON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSHED DOWN. THE SAME INTERIOR START BUTTON IS PUSHED AGAIN TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. ON APRIL 15, 2015, AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, ENGAGED THE HAND BRAKE, AND EXITTED THE CAR, FORGETTING TO PUSH THE INTERIOR START BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. I LEFT THE VICINITY OF THE VEHICLE (ABOUT 100 YARDS AWAY) AND THE CAR ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL I RETURNED, 2 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES LATER TO TURN THE CAR OFF. MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER SAID THIS WAS NORMAL AND THERE WAS NO BUILT-IN SAFETY MECHANISM TO PREVENT THE CAR ENGINE FROM RUNNING WHILE THE "KEY FOB" WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE CAR. IMAGINE THE SAFETY CONCERNS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS? IF THE CAR WERE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTEROUS. WHY DOESN'T THE ENGINE AUTOMATICALLY CUT OFF WHEN THE KEY FOB IS A CERTAIN DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE? WHY ISN'T THE ALERT (A SHORT SERIES OF BEEPS IDENTICAL TO OTHER BEEPS THE CAR MAKES WHEN LOCKED) DISTINCTIVE AND ALARMING? THIS IS A SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF KEYLESS START ENGINES THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 22, 2015
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 BEEN PROVIDED TO BOTH PARTIES AND HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO THE SENIOR REGIONAL ENGINEER FOR ANALYSIS. CURRENT OWNER HAS AN OPEN VEHICLE REPURCHASE CLAIM UNDER LEMON LAW WITH THE MANUFACTURER PENDING INVESTIGATION OF FAULT. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 18, 2014
MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A PUSH TO START/STOP (KEYLESS) "FEATURE". I PULLED MY CAR INTO THE GARAGE LAST NIGHT (WITH THE RADIO OFF), PRESSED THE START/STOP BUTTON TO STOP THE ENGINE, AND WENT INSIDE. WHEN I WOKE UP THIS MORNING, THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING, ALL NIGHT INSIDE MY ATTACHED ENCLOSED GARAGE. CO METER MEASURE NON-ZERO PPM LEVELS A FEW HOURS AFTER SHUTTING THE CAR OFF. OTHER THEN THE RADIO, THERE ARE NO OBVIOUS NON-AUDIBLE INDICATIONS THAT THE ENGINE IS RUNNING / NOT RUNNING. ADDITIONAL EXPECTATION WOULD BE THE CAR SHOULD BE SMART ENOUGH TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT ITSELF OFF AFTER IDLING FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. MINE WAS RUNNING IN THE GARAGE FOR ABOUT 6.5 HOURS. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, May 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,200. UPDATED 07/16/14 MA