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.
Service brakes, Aug 5, 2020
MY REAR BRAKES ALWAYS SEEM TO BE DRAGGING. THEY MAKE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AS I EXIT MY NEIGHBORHOOD. AFTER DRIVING A WHILE, THE NOISE IS QUIETER BUT STILL NOTICEABLE. I AM AFRAID OF IT LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL.
Seats, Jul 26, 2020
THE POWER SEAT LIFT AND LOWER MECHANICS HAVE FAILED SO THAT THE SEAT NO LONGER RAISES OR LOWERS TO ITS ORIGINAL EXTENT. THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FROM ADJUSTING THE SEAT PROPERLY FOR SAFE DRIVING. THE ACTUATOR, FUSES, AND WIRING ARE ALL FUNCTIONAL AND THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS SIMPLY NO LONGER ALLOW FULL RANGE OF MOTION REGARDING SEAT HEIGHT EVEN WITH MANUAL ADJUSTMENT. I BELIEVE THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS SIMPLY FAILED AND AM NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC CAUSE. I AM 6'3'' AND MY WIFE IS 5'4'' AND SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT IS CRITICAL TO SAFE DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, May 31, 2020
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER 0N MY 2015 MAZDA3, THAT NHTSA ACKNOWLEDGED DEFECTIVE ON MAZDA 3. 2016,17, 18, WERE DEFECTIVE AND RECALLED. I WANT MY AUTO TO BE ACKNOWLEDGMENT FOR THE SAME DEFECT. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ON ESTIMATE $900. THIS SEEMS TOTALLY UNFAIR.MY WINDSHIELD WIPER RENDERS MY VEHICLE UNSAFE. AFTER YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE DEFECT. WHILE DRIVING AND WASHING MY WINDOW WITH THE WIRE FLUID, THE WIPERS STOPPED INSTEAD IF TETURING TO TH WIPER BAY. THE NEXT DAY IN HEAVY RAINFALL IN SEATTLE. THEY STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT ME HAVING TO MANUALLY SWITCH BETWEEN SETTINGS. CREATING AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I FEEL THAT I AM BEING HELD HOSTAGE TO A VERY HIGH PRICE. AFTER YOUR COMMISSION RECOGNIZED THIS HAZARD. I WANT MY REPAIR, AND I WANT JUSTICE.
Service brakes, May 26, 2020
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE PAD HAS A PROBLEM AND IT STUCK ON EVEN WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL, THIS DEFECT CAUSE SOME NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPING AND CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR ON THE BRAKE PAD AND ROTORS. *TR
Service brakes, Apr 8, 2020
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BACK BRAKES TWICE IN 4 YEARS. NOW CALIPERS HAVE GONE OUT WHICH RUINED ROTORS AND PADS. IT LOOKS LIKE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH CALIPERS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND WEARING THE BRAKES PREMATURELY.
Electrical system, Feb 16, 2020
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM RESTARTS 3 TO 5 TIMES, WHEN FIRST STARTING CAR, WHEN TEMPERATURES IN UNHEATED GARAGE ARE BELOW 50 DEGREES. I DRIVE FOUR TO EIGHT MILES, WITH HEATER ON, BEFORE IT STOPS RESTARTING. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. ALL THEY DO IS REBOOT IT. NOW THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I REFUSE TO TAKE IT BACK, AND BE CHANGED FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED THE FIRST TIME. THIS JUST MIGHT BE A DEAL BREAKER IN BUYING A MAZDA AS MY NEXT CAR. VERY ANNOYING.
Structure, Feb 7, 2020
MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD SOUND. HE SCANNED THE SURROUNDINGS AND DID NOT SEE ANY UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE. HE FELT COLD AIR AND NOISE AND WHEN HE LOOK UP, HIS SUNROOF IS GONE, JUST A FEW GLASS LEFT ON THE SIDE LOOKING LIKE GRANULES. HE HAD SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF EXPLOSION.
Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2019
BOUGHT NEW IN 2015. INFOMAT SYSTEM REBOOTS 3 OR 4 TIMES WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 40 DEGREES AT START UP IN A UNHEATED GARAGE ALSO WHILE DRIVING AND COLD ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. TOOK TO DEALER A COUPLE TIMES, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM WHILE STILL WARRANTED, ALL THEY DID WAS REBOOT THE SYSTEM. STILL DOING IT AFTER 4 YEARS. VERY FRUSTRATING, BUT NOW IT'S ON MY DIME. ONE TIME IT WENT COMPLETELY BLACK, SO I FIGURED OUT HOW TO REBOOT IT.
Air bags, Oct 29, 2019
DRIVING INTO A RAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I THEN SLIPPED OFF THE CURVE THE EXTERNAL OF THE CAR IS NOT DAMAGED AND I'M NOT HURT.
Service brakes, Oct 2, 2019
2015 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKES. *LD *JS
Service brakes, Sep 29, 2019
I STARTED NOTICING A SQUEAL FROM MY REAR BRAKES THAT WOULD OCCUR AT THE BEGINNING OF DRIVING (NOT WHILE BRAKING) THEN GO AWAY AFTER 1 OR 2 STOPS. ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, THE DAY I USED MY HANDBRAKE TO PARK, AFTER MY 25 MINUTE COMMUTE HOME I NOTICED A HOT METAL SMELL. I PUT MY HAND UP TO MY DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL AND FELT INTENSE HEAT FROM THE BRAKES. SAW THE ROTORS WERE DUG IN. I BOUGHT REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS AND CHANGED THEM OUT MYSELF. THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFT WAS STUCK, BINDING THE BRAKES ON BOTH REAR CALIPERS. THE METAL AROUND THE BOOT OF BOTH SHAFTS ON THE CALIPER LOOK WET. THE PISTON OF THE CALIPER WAS EASILY ROTATED BACK IN AFTER UNBINDING THE PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFT. PARKING BRAKE NOW IS UNHOOKED DUE TO IT BEING UNSAFE. THIS HAPPENED ON BOTH PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR SHAFTS ON THE REAR CALIPERS AFTER ONLY 24,900 MILES.
Service brakes, Sep 23, 2019
LIKE MANY OTHER MAZDA 3 OWNERS, I HAVE HAD WATER ENTER MY CALIPERS AND BIND, LEAVING BRAKES ACTIVATED ON THE ROTORS WEARING DOWN THE BRAKES FASTER THAN NORMAL. APPROX 65,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I AM CURRENTLY GETTING MY THIRD SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE, WITH NEW CALIPERS THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. AFTER CONTACTING MAZDA, MY VIN SPECIFIC DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS RECALL. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN FROM MAZDA AND SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MODELS.
Service brakes, Aug 13, 2019
PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE CALIPER DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND WEARS OUT BRAKE PADS QUICKLY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPEN AT LESS THAN 50,000 MILES. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS YEAR, BUT IT DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN.
Structure, May 27, 2019
POWER MOONROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS ABOUT 52DEG F ON A CLOUDY DAY. MY WIFE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT & GLASS FELL IN ON US. WE PULLED OVER AND CLEANED UP MOST OF IT.
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2019
MAZDA INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY PROBLEM: THE TOUCH PANEL ON MY 2015 MAZDA3 OPERATES BY ITSELF AND DOES NOT ACCEPT TOUCH COMMANDS PROPERLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY CAR, BUT A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "MAZDA 3 INFOTAINMENT GOING CRAZY" RETURNED SEVERAL THOUSAND ARTICLES AND VIDEOS FROM FRUSTRATED MAZDA CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THESE DEFECTIVE DISPLAYS CREATE HAZARDOUS DRIVING ENVIRONMENTS FOR ME AND OTHERS WHO LIVE IN STATES WITH 'HANDS-FREE' LAWS.
Power train, Apr 5, 2019
2015 MAZDA 3 WITH 75000 MILES. TRANSMISSION IN VEHICLE FAILED SPECIFICALLY THE MAIN BEARING. TRANSMISSION IS NEEDING TO BE REBUILT. REPAIR SHOP ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE CLUTCHES WERE BURNED OUT. SYMPTOMS: DELAYED ENGAGEMENT WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. FLAIR SHIFTING FROM 3-4.
Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2019
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM HAS A GHOST FEATURE: IT STARTS TO DIAL NUMBERS AUTOMATICALLY, CHANGE STATIONS WITHOUT ANY USER INPUT AND MANY OTHER DISRUPTIONS AS IF THERE IS A CLOUD MONKEY INSTALLED IN THE SYSTEM. ISSUE EXISTS AFTER RESETTING THE SYSTEM. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE SYSTEM AND I AM JUST DRIVING AROUND WITH THE SYSTEM BEEPING ALL THE WAY. IT IS EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND IS AFFECTING THE DRIVING. MAZDA DEALER CHARGED $150 TO SAY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE IS TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: COST $1500. I REACHED OUT TO MAZDA USING THEIR OWNER'S PORTAL AND GOT NO RESPONSE. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME SOMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS HIDDEN FEATURE OF MAZDA.
Service brakes, Mar 5, 2019, crash
COMMING TO A STOP CAR DIDNT SLOW DOWN AND WHEN EMERGENCY LEVER WAS PULLED FOR A STOP IT DIDNT WORK! RECALL NOTICE1217F NHTSA NUMBER17V393
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2019
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WHILE THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED, CREATING A SERIOUS DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SYSTEM CAN BE TUNED TO THE RADIO AND THEN IT WILL RANDOMLY SWITCH TO THE PHONE FUNCTION AND DIAL A NUMBER AGAIN AT RANDOM FROM MY CONTACTS LIST.TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE CALL DOESN'T WORK AS IT KEEPS DIALING OR WILL REDIAL. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. IT WILL ALSO AT TIMES CHOOSE A RADIO STATION WHICH IS NOT THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN SELECTED. WHILE THESE MAY SOUND MINOR THEY CREATE A HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE COMMUNICATIONS FEATURES WHEN THEY TAKE ON A LIFE OF THEIR OWN.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IS GOING HAYWIRE, MAKING GHOSTS SELECTIONS SUCH AS CALLING PPL, SELF SELECTING SETTINGS AND ALL OTHER BUTTONS AT RANDOM TIMES DURING DRIVING WHICH HAS BECOME EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE TO MAZDA BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. ALL THEY WILL OFFER IS SWAPPING IT FOR ANOTHER INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM THAT WILL EVENTUALLY DO THE SAME THING AGAIN AT THE CUSTOMERS EXPENSE. THIS TAKES PLACE WHILE THE CAR IS TRAVELING AT 5MPH OR LESS SO IT MOST FREQUENTLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM SLOWING TO TAKE TURNS OR TRAVELING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND WHILE AT A STOP AT RANDOM TIMES. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE SYSTEM ONCE IT STARTS GLITCHING AND MAKING CALLS AND CHANGING SETTINGS OR DIALING NUMBERS, I CANT HANG UP IM FORCED TO DISCONNECT THE BLUETOOTH FROM THE PHONE BUT THAT ONLY PREVENTS IT FROM MAKING CALLS IT STILL CONTINUES TO GO TO THE SETTING AT PRESS RANDOM BUTTONS
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2018
ON 11/19 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 PM TRAVELING AT ABOUT 20 MPH ON A TWO LANE STREET WITH NO VISIBLE VEHICLES AROUND A POP SOUND FOLLOWED BY GLASS ROLLING OFF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE OCCURRED; A FAILURE OF THE SUNROOF.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 18, 2018
SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 55 MPH. WEATHER WAS SUNNY ABOUT 70 DEGREES. NO APPARENT REASON WHY THIS WOULD OCCUR (IE. NO ROCKS HIT THE CAR, ETC). GLASS SHATTERED INTO DRIVER SIDE OF CAR AND BACK SEATS. HOLE IN THE GLASS WAS IN MIDDLE OF THE PANE AND EXPANDED OUT. CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 50K MILES.
Service brakes, Oct 13, 2018
I TOOK MY CAR TO A BRAKE SHOP BECAUSE OF SCRAPING NOISE FROM THE BRAKES. THE PASSENGER REAR BRAKE WAS PREMATURELY WORN BECAUSE THE BRAKE WAS CONSTANTLY ENGAGED. THE BRAKE REPAIR SHOP HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE ON MAZDA3 AND INFORMED ME IT WAS PART OF A RECALL, AND THAT THIS POSES A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK TO ME WHILE OPERATING THIS VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC SHOP HANDED ME A SHEET WITH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V393000. I CALLED THE 800 222 5500 FOR MAZDA ON INFORMATION ON THE RECALL. BUT BECAUSE MY VIN DOES NOT SHOW UP IN THE SYSTEM UNDER THIS CAMPAIGN I AM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL REPAIR. SHOULD I BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN REGARDLESS OF VIN NUMBER IF THE ISSUE IS THE SAME IS IDENTICAL TO RECALL ISSUE.
Wheels, Sep 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 EQUIPPED WITH 215/45/ZR18 WHEELS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE WHEELS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WHEELS COMING OUT OF ROUND. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE RIM WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAVIS DISCOUNT TIRE LOCATED AT 1118 E PUTNAM AVE, RIVERSIDE, CT 06878, (203) 698-9599, TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT 3 OUT OF 4 WHEELS WERE SLIGHTLY BENT. THE WHEELS WERE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. SMITH CAIRNS LOCATED AT 900 CENTRAL PARK AVE, YONKERS, NY 10704, (914) 377-8100, WAS CONTACTED AND DECLINED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND DECLINED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED CASE NUMBER: 1-1568373109. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,728. *DT *JS
Service brakes, Sep 10, 2018
I WENT INTO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A REPAIR COMPLETED FOR THE BRAKE RECALL. THE MECHANIC CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED EVERYTHING COMPLETELY. HOWEVER, THE MAZDA WEBPAGE IS SHOWING THE RECALL HAVING BEEN DONE INCOMPLETE.