2015 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 129 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 8 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 9 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
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assemblyDo not drive until repairedOct 2, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 15V621000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
129 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Apr 29, 2024
This car's backup camera has been un-usable ~50% of the time, dating back to last year, due to the issue described in the recall. Westcott Mazda refused to inspect and certify the existence of the issue and simply said parts to fix it were unavailable. This recall was issued over 9 months ago.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Apr 1, 2024
Vehicle touch screen has aggressive and persistent “ghost touch” during vehicle operation (while in drive), which should not be possible while in drive at all. This causes any setting or feature accessible through the vehicle “infotainment” system to be activated at random leading to distracting, undesired operation. There is no setting within the “infotainment” system that allows you to disable the touch screen, leading to dangerously distracting situations. There is a voluntary extended warranty period provided by Mazda, but I was not notified required by law, nor was the warranty service offered to me when bringing my car to dealership(s) during the warranty period. Mazda is not willing to pay to fix the acknowledged safety defect.
Back over prevention, Mar 12, 2024
See attached document for complaint
Back over prevention, Feb 26, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Back over prevention, Feb 14, 2024
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer was notified of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms part not available.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 18, 2024
strong gas smell in the cabin
Back over prevention, Jan 3, 2024
This in regards to NHTSA Recall #: 23V-487. It has been 173 days since this recall was announced and I have not received any correspondence from the manufacturer. The recall has been sitting with no remedy available for 6 months. I want to know when Mazda is expected to have a fix to this vehicle?
Other or unspecified, Nov 6, 2023
My 2015 Mazda is equipped with a touch screen infotainment system. The touch screen has started to randomly change settings when the car is stopped (and running). Since correcting these changes can't be done while the car is stopped (more random changes occur), changes must be made while the car is in motion. This creates a dangerous situation by needlessly distracting the driver.
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2023
The "infotainment" system, which includes media, navigation, hands-free calling, and the backup camera function, frequently malfunctions. The system will either freeze, or it will execute button presses on its own. The result is that it will change audio selection, make hands free calls via the connected phone, etc. on its own with no driver interaction, which is distracting while driving and could and has caused hazardous driving conditions. While I am listing the most recent occurrence in this form, this has been occurring on nearly every drive for the last 2 years. This typically happens in stop-and-go traffic. The vehicle has a manual transmission and the movement in the center console caused by shifting may be causing loose electrical connections to be disturbed and contribute to the behavior.
Back over prevention, Sep 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that on numerous occasions after he opened and closed the trunk of the vehicle or while shifted into reverse, the rear-view camera image intermittently became distorted or blank. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and stated to the contact that there was no such recall for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Electrical system, Aug 30, 2023
1. IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION 2. THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM CUTS OFF AN ON AT WILL AND SWITCHES VIEWS WHEN USING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WHICH CAN CAUSE YOU TO BE DISTRACTED WHEN DRIVING,ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE DRIVING IN AN UNKNOWN AREA. 3. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHICH REFUSES TO REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS. 4. NO WARNINGS, JUST STARTED CHANGING SCREENS ALL THE SUDDEN. MAZDA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE DRIVING DANGERS THAT THIS POSES BUT YET REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I DID DISCOVER THAT THEY DID ISSUE SOME TYPE OF NOTICE ON THIS BUT IT WAS NEVER A FORMAL WRITTEN RECALL . ONLY FIXED IF YOU TOOK IN AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM,MOST PEOPLE I WOULD THINK DID NOT DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS COST PROHIBITIVE,THAT SYSTEM COST ABOUT $1400.00 TO REPLACE. THATS NOT POCKET CHANGE FOR MOST PEOPLE.SO WITHOUT A FORMAL WRITTEN MAILED LETTER MOST PEOPLE JUST TRIED TO LIVE WITH IT .
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 28, 2023
I was driving 90km and it suddenly stopped, I almost got into it, I put the 4 flashers and I let myself go on the shoulder, then call a towing after a machine test the error code P1092 appears , when I turn on my car, it's so miserable, it starts to bubble, it doesn't want to move forward anymore, lack of strength, All the rest is marked as PASS After googling around, I may have found an answer. Denso, who makes low pressure fuel pumps for a lot of different manufacturers, recalled several million of them a couple of years ago. They determined that there was a manufacturing defect that causes the pump impellers to crack and deform. Then they don't move enough gas to the front of the engine. I guess there is no pressure sensor between the tank and the high pressure fuel pump, so the problem isn't recognized by the car until the sensor in the fuel rail sees it. Several auto makers have issued recalls, including Mazda. But Mazda only went back as far as 2018. Toyota recalled cars as far back as 2013. There are now several lawsuits against various auto makers arguing that Denso knew about the problem in 2015, and the recalls should go further back in time. These two articles do a good job of covering the history of the problem
Engine, Mar 28, 2023, fire
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle, followed by the vehicle shut down and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's son opened the hood and flames came out from under the hood. The contact son burned his fingers but did not seek medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Other or unspecified, Jan 25, 2023
The infotainment center is "ghosting". This is a problem already recalled by Mazda but my car was not included. This started about 10 months ago. The result is that the gps system will shut down, the car, if linked to my phone will automatically dial random numbers, the radio stations will randomly change or be deleted. The GPS system has now become completely non functional. Having this random activity while driving or stopped creates a hazard as it requires frequent adjustments using my hands to correct the problems. The lack of a functioning gps is also problematic. This problem was brought to the attention of a Mazda dealer about 6 months ago and I was told no warranty repair was available. I also contacted Mazda USA by phone and was told no service would be provided. I have also sent a certified letter to Mazda USA with no response.
Service brakes, Sep 29, 2022
The parking brake does not disengage even after the recall fix was applied. Mazda refuses to look at it any more as the fix has passed your testing despite it not working.
Electrical system, Sep 10, 2022
Infotainment and phone connect system for hands free phone use is not operational. The computer for the system is in a continuous reboot loop. This puts safety or safety of others at risk as I cannot use hands free. Mazda corporate suggested that a software update of the Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) might solve the problem. I brought the car in to Smithhaven Mazda on 090722 for update. The repair technician could not update the computer software and advised customer that the possible CMU problem is cause of concern. I was then advised that resolution would be replacement of CMU at $700. Problem was first observed 082022.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 22, 2022
In February, 2022, my 2015 Mazda 3 experienced a major failure, while I was driving on a local road, going 35 miles per hour. All of a sudden, the engine lost power, three warning lights came on, and the car was struggling to go 20 miles per hour. Being near a friend's house, I drove there. From there, her husband followed me home. The next day, my car was towed to the Mazda dealership. The mechanic diagnosed the problem as “found TBS NUMBER: 01-014/16 and inspected coils found they were bad according to lot numbers”. He replaced all four engine coils and all four spark plugs. The service manager told me that the parts were not under warranty. My research revealed that engine coils are supposed to last the lifetime of the car, which is 150,000 to 200,000 miles for a Mazda 3. My car only had 43,048 miles. The spark plugs should have lasted about five more years. I looked into the Bulletin issued by Mazda USA. Mazda USA was first aware of a problem January, 2016. On 17 March 2016, I bought the car. Mazda USA updated the Bulletin to include my car on 29 July 2016. The car was under full warranty at this time and could have been fixed, if I had been notified of the defects. The faulty coils can cause a catastrophic failure, resulting in serious accidents and injuries. My car was a “ticking bomb”, waiting to go off. I was on a local road, with light traffic, not a secondary road or highway, with heavy traffic. Rather than notify customers of the danger of the engine malfunctioning, Mazda USA chose to remain silent. The Bulletin directs that nothing be done until a customer complains. The customer does not know to complain until the car malfunctions! The customer must complain within the normal warranty period. Mazda is hoping that the bad coils fail after the warranty period.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 9, 2022
The multifunction / infotainment display in my Mazda went haywire last weekend--it loops through bootup sequence over and over but never loads. Backup camera still works, sort of, but the image jumps and it goes blank sometimes. I can't unplug the display or pull the fuse, or would lose backup camera altogether. So I have no Nav system, can't change radio station, etc.--and am stuck with the 7" screen flashing in my face as I drive. Local Mazda dealer advises that this is caused by cell phone transition to 5G. They took my contact info but did not offer any solution. There have been a couple of local news stories this week about other Mazda owners experiencing this issue. Interestingly, those all seem to report that owners' radios are stuck on a local NPR station. Mine is also stuck on one station, but not the NPR affiliate. https://www.geekwire.com/2022/youre-listening-to-kuow-like-it-or-not-mysterious-glitch-has-mazda-drivers-stuck-on-public-radio/
Air bags, Sep 10, 2021, crash
My 2015 mazda3 was in a collision on 09/08/2021 and my vehicle was totaled. None of my airbags deployed . Fortunately i only sustained neck and back injuries. I believe that i would have avoided these injuries if my airbags deployed properly. Has anyone else reported a problem with airbags on the 2015 mazda3? If there is a problem with the airbag then other owners need to be notified of this safety issue.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, May 11, 2021
MY CARS INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES THE REARVIEW CAMERA, STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN EARLY 2019. THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN (FOR THE CLOCK, RADIO, GPS AND REARVIEW CAMERA) WAS IN A REBOOT LOOP (CONSTANTLY REBOOTING OVER AND OVER). WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE, THE REARVIEW CAMERA WORKS SPORADICALLY, INCLUDING SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF REVERSING THE CAR. I TOOK THE CARE TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND (PER THE SERVICE INVOICE ATTACHED), THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "CMU FAILURE" WHICH WOULD COST ME $1000 (ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX. I REFUSED, AS I DID NOT THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE CMU TO FAIL ROUGHLY FOUR (4) YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT'S EVIDENT THAT MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Apr 29, 2021
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM KEEPS REBOOTING IN AN INFINITE LOOP. VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN ISSUE STARTED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 3MINUTES PRIOR TO ISSUE. INFOTAINMENT WAS WORKING PRIOR TO BEING OFF FOR 3 MIN.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 29, 2021
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH ON A 4 LANE US ROUTE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG COMING FROM MY SUNROOF. I LOOK IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SEE A LARGE CHUNK OF GLASS FLYING BEHIND ME. I OPEN THE SUNROOF VISOR PARTIALLY AND NOTICE I AM MISSING GLASS. THE GLASS FOR MY SUNROOF IS TEMPERED. IT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES AND VERY HUMID, BUT NO PRECIPITATION. THE PICTURE IS FROM A PARKING LOT ABOUT 10MINS AFTER THE INCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2020
GOOD AFTERNOON, MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE GHOSTING ISSUE WITH MY INFOTAINMENT SCREEN. THIS IS HAPPENING IN MANY MAZDA 3'S THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD AS IT IS DISTRACTING WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. CURRENTLY IT IS A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL INSTEAD AND I SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. MY REASONING FOR THIS IS WHEN I AM DRIVING THE SCREEN WILL GO CRAZY AND SELECT WHAT IT WANTS TO AND PLACE CALLS AND GO INTO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT AREAS. THIS CAUSE ME AND OTHER DRIVERS TO TAKE OUR EYES OF THE ROAD AND ALSO OUR HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL TO CANCEL CALLS OR TO EXIT WHERE THE SCREEN DECIDES TO GO.THIS IN TURN CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL. THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE TOUCH FEATURE IN THE SETTINGS ITSELF SO I CANT DISABLE THIS FUNCTION IF I WANTED TO WITHOUT TAKEN APART THE DASH AND VOIDING MY WARRANTY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY, IN MOTION, IN THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS OFF AND ON THROUGH THE WEEK.
Exterior lighting, Sep 10, 2020
I HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 10 EITHER HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS OR PARK LIGHTS ON THIS CAR. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND AT LEAST EVERY MONTH TO TWO MONTHS I AM REPLACING A BULB.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 24, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V684000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WHICH MAYBE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A LOCAL GAS STATION, GASOLINE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT STATED HIS SON LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RESTING ON THE EXHAUST WHICH CAUSED BURNS TO THE ALUMINUM PLATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS SON'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED A LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND FILED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,241. *LN *DL