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.
Structure, Mar 31, 2017
I HAVE FILED THIS CLAIM BECAUSE THE CAR IN MENTION HAS BEEN REPAIRED BY MAZDA FOR FAILURES IN THE DOOR LATCHING-LOCKING SYSTEM ON THREE (3) SEPARATE OCCASIONS ON DIFFERENT DOORS SINCE I PURCHASED IT AND IT IS CURRENTLY SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE ON ONE OF THE DOORS THAT WAS NOT AFFECTED BEFORE. I NO LONGER CONSIDER THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE AND I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT FAILURES OF THIS NATURE MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS WITH CATASTROPHIC INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND TO OTHERS. AS A MAZDA CUSTOMER, CAR OWNER AND ENGINEERING PROFESSIONAL, I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED WHEN I CONTEMPLATE THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS MIGHT NOT BE AN ISOLATED CASE AND THAT OTHER MAZDA OWNERS MIGHT BE DRIVING UNSAFE VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO STARTED A CLAIM WITH THE BBB AUTO LINE CASE MAZ1714424 WHERE I PURSUE REPURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE BY MAZDA AMONG OTHER ITEMS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2017
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2017 AT 11:00 A.M., I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 MAZDA 3 (S TOURING) BACK TO KNOXVILLE, TN FROM YORK, PA. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF OF DRIVING (NEAR SHIPPENSBURG, PA), I HEARD A LOUD SOUND LIKE A GUN SHOT AND DEBRIS HITTING THE TOP OF THE CAR AND THEN REALIZED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. I WAS IN LIGHT TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING AT THE 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT. I WAS NOT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE NOR WAS MY CAR STRUCK BY ANYTHING FROM THE ROAD OR THE AIR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ABOUT MY SITUATION, I LEARNED THAT THE NHTSA REFERS TO THIS PROBLEM AS "SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF BREAKAGE."
Service brakes, Feb 7, 2017
THE WEAR ON MY BACK BRAKES WAS ABNORMALLY FAST. THERE WAS ALREADY A RECALL FOR JAPANESE MADE BRAKES BUT MINE WERE MEXICAN MADE. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD VERY LITTLE WEAR WHERE AS I HAD TO REPLACE THE BACK AFTER ABOUT 25,000 MILES.
Structure, Dec 13, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS SEPARATED FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN LESS THAN 52,000 MILES.
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2016
THE CAR HAD A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRICAL FAILURE, MAZDA IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. I HAVE ASKED MAZDA AND THE DEALER BY PHONE, EMAIL, AND POSTAL MAIL WHAT I SHOULD DO IF THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE FROM MAZDA. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET, DURING THE DAY OF 8/11/16,ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I PULLED IN TO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN (PUSH BUTTON) AND NOTHING HAPPENED; NO LIGHTS, NO SOUNDS. I WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME IT STARTED. I TURNED IT OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED MAZDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. ON 8/20/16 THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMED THAT MORE THAN 60 ERROR CODES HAD GONE ON A ONCE, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE. I HAVE EMAILED AND WRITTEN TO MAZDA ASKING IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, ASKING IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN WOULD THE AND WHAT I SHOULD DO IF IT HAPPENS. MORE THAN A MONTH HAS PASSED AND I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM MAZDA.
Seats, Aug 26, 2016
THE HEAD REST PUSHES MY HEAD FORWARD WHEN I SIT UPRIGHT WITH GOOD POSTURE NO MATTER WHAT THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT I USE. THE ANGLE OF THE HEADREST IS NOT ADJUSTABLE AND IS WAY TO FAR FORWARD FOR ME. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A NEW REGULATION, AND I BELIEVE THE STANDARD IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR EVERYONE.
Exterior lighting, Jul 6, 2016
HEADLIGHTS ON LOW BEAM ARE AIMED TOO LOW AND THUS HAVE A VERY SHORT RANGE. DEALER SAID THEY WERE AT FACTORY SPEC SO HE WOULD NOT ADJUST THEM.
Power train, Engine, Jun 19, 2016
VEHICLE WAS INADVERTANTLY TURNED OFF WHILE IN DRIVE, WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE NO ALARM SOUNDED. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS, FORCING ME TO JUMP BACK INTO THE CAR AND JAM ON THE BRAKE. ONE WOULD THINK THAT AS A SAFETY MEASURE, THE CAR WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE IN PARK, BEFORE TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. WHILE ITS CONCEIVABLE THAT IN AN EMERGENCY THE DRIVER MAY WANT TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN GEAR, THIS WOULD BE VERY RARE, AND COULD BE ACCOMMODATED BY PROGRAMING THE OFF SWITCH TO REQUIRE MULTIPLE PUSHES OR HOLDING IN THE BUTTON FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. EXITING THE CAR WHEN IT IS NOT IN PARK IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, JUST AS DANGEROUS AS TRYING TO START THE CAR WHILE IN GEAR, RESULTING IN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE CAR. SINCE THE CAR REQUIRES THE GEARSHIFT TO BE IN PARK AND THE BRAKE ON BEFORE STARTING, ONE WOULD THINK A SIMILAR PROCESS WOULD BE USED FOR TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE.
Wheels, Seats, Service brakes, May 5, 2016
HEADREST UNUSABLE IN SAFE DRIVING POSITION. FORCES HEAD TO FLOOR OR PREVENTS PROPER BACK PLACEMENT ON SEAT, SOMETIMES BOTH. THE ONLY WAY TO SIT IN THE SEAT COMFORTABLY IS TO HAVE THE SEAT LEANING TOO FAR BACK WHERE I CANNOT REACH THE STEERING WHEEL COMFORTABLY. WHEELS WOULD VIBRATE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55, SOMETIMES AS LOW AS 40. RECENTLY FIXED BY DEALERSHIP. BRAKES WERE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AND SCRAPED AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY. MADE A LOUD SCRATCH SOUND. TOOK TWO VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED. ALL EVENTS REQUIRED INDIVIDUAL VISITS TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND I AM UNCERTAIN OF THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. ANY SMALL ISSUE RAISES EXTRA CONCERNS. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 2K MILES AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP BECAUSE OF EITHER DRIVING DISCOMFORT OR THE VEHICLE BEING IN THE SHOP TO BE WORKED ON.
Steering, Mar 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TR
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 8, 2016, fire
INTERIOR DOME LIGHT STARTED FLICKERING, LOOKED UP TO SEE WHY, THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FLAMES COULD BE SEEN. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED, APPROX. 65 MPH. CAR HAD 22,000 MILES ON IT.
Service brakes, Jan 17, 2016
TOOK CAR IN FOR FIRST OIL CHANGE AT 1429 MILES AND WAS TOLD BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE GROOVED AND THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Jan 11, 2016, crash
TURNING TO PARK HER VEHICLE, IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT TWO PARKED CARS IN FRONT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WOULD BE KEPT UNTIL THE RECALL REMEDY COULD BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT FELT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUEL TANK KIT, THE GASKET, THE NUT AND THE RETAINER WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V621000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 732. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V621000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.
Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2015
RADIATOR HOSE DISCONNECTED WHICH DRAINED ANTIFREEZE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN HOT.
Exterior lighting, Oct 19, 2015
HEADLIGHTS ARE AIMED VERY LOW AND PROVIDE ZERO LIGHT ABOVE A LOW VERTICAL CUT OFF POINT. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY AIMED THE LIGHTS HIGHER, BUT I DO NOT NOTICE A DIFFERENCE. LOOKED AT CHANGING THE AIM MYSELF, BUT THERE IS NO OBVIOUS ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS FREQUENTLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE *ANYTHING* MORE THAN 8, 20, OR 70 FEET AHEAD WHEN THE GRADE OF THE ROADWAY CHANGES IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION, FOR INSTANCE AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL WHEN THE ROADWAY BEGINS TO TRANSITION FROM LEVEL TO A POSITIVE GRADE UPHILL, OR AS YOU ARE TRAVELING DOWNHILL, REACH THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AND THE CAR IS POINTED DOWNHILL BUT THE ROAD AHEAD IS LEVEL. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WHEN YOU ARE ON A HILL AND THE GRADE OF THE HILL CHANGES. THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE FINE ON PERFECTLY LEVEL ROADS, BUT ARE A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN ANYWHERE ELSE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 11, 2015
WHEN THE CAR IS GETTING WET AND RUNNING IN A HUMPS WE ALWAYS HEARD A SQUEAKING OR CRACKING SOUNDS ON THE FRONT WHEEL, LIKELY ITS IN FRONT SHOCK, I GUESS
Engine, Oct 1, 2015
THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO START IT AGAIN. I HAD IT FOR ONE MONTH.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2015
TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH IN MY BRAND NEW MAZDA 3 COUPE WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY IMPLODED THROWING SAFETY GLASS ALL OVER DRIVER AND PASSENGER.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 11, 2015
THE DAY WAS HOT AND I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH THE AC SET TO 72 DEGREES IN MY 2015 MAZDA 3 WITH JUST 21K MILES ON IT. MY CAR UNEXPECTEDLY STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND CHARGING SYSTEM/BATTERY LIGHTS CAME ON BRIEFLY IN THE DASH. I HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND PUSH THE BUTTON TO RESTART MY VEHICLE. THE CAR'S ECU/PCM DID NOT SET ANY CODES AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED AGAIN SINCE THAT HOT DAY. THIS IS A DANGER BECAUSE THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER COULD RESULT IN A REAR END COLLISION LUCKILY I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. DEALER AND MAZDA HAVE BEEN SLOW TO INVESTIGATE THIS THOROUGHLY. FEELS LIKE THEY JUST WANT TO SEND ME ON MY WAY WITHOUT DOING A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE.
Electrical system, May 25, 2015
VEHICLE NAVIGATION DISPLAY HAS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING, UNEXPECTEDLY RESTARTED. ONCE WAS LISTENING TO RADIO, RADIO DID NOT STOP BUT SYSTEM RESTARTED. OTHER TIME, WAS ON CALL, AND SYSTEM RESTARTED BUT CALL DID NOT DISCONNECT, USER ON OTHER END COULD NOT HEAR ME AND I COULD NOT HEAR THEM. WHEN SYSTEM RESTARTED, CALL CONTINUED. CALLED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE MAY BE A SYSTEM FIRMWARE UPDATE NEEDED. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN, WAS TOLD THAT NO FIRMWARE UPDATE WAS AVAILABLE, AND THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE ISSUE.
Tires, Apr 30, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS WARNING LAMP REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PLACED AIR IN ALL FOUR TIRES AND RESET THE CODE. WITHIN LESS THAN A WEEK, THE TPMS WARNING LAMP CAME BACK ON AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 15, 2015
WINDSHIELD HAS BEGUN CHIPPING IN MULTIPLE PLACES IN ONLY THE FIRST 1.5 MONTHS / 1400 MILES OF USE CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE (VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD IS IMPAIRED). WHAT IS SURPRISING IS THE RAPIDNESS AT WHICH THEY OCCUR. *TR