2016 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 103 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 7 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
Visibility, windshield wiper/washerApr 4, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.
Campaign 19V272000 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, storageSep 23, 2016
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.
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 recirculation pipe 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 0216I.
Campaign 16V685000 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: electrical system
22 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving and while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument cluster screen was peeling, and critical information for the vehicle was not displayed. Additionally, the infotainment system became intermittently inoperable due to the failure. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact expressed concerns that the inoperable instrument cluster created a hazardous and unsafe condition due to the complete loss of instrument panel functionality. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2025
When I checked for recall information 2 recalls were listed under my car's vin #: Recall #1: 3219D with Closed status. Recall #2: 6023G is listed as Active. But, when I tried to schedule a repair for the active recall, the manufacturing website ONLY listed the "closed" recall (3219D) was listed as available for repair, which is bizarre. Please see the attached screenshot of the website. Thanks.
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2024
NHTSA Recall # 23V-487 Manufacturer Recall # 6023G issued July 14, 2023 After repeated phone calls to the Manufacturer and the Mazda Dealership, the recall has not been fixed. I have been told that the parts are not available. As of this date, 16 months after the recall, Mazda has not fixed the problem. I have been told by the Manufacturer and the Mazda Dealership, that parts are not available. The manufacturer told me that they have no date when parts will be available. I have asked to speak with a Manager at the Manufacturer and was told that there is no one else to talk to except Customer Service. I asked for a contact at the Corporate level that I could send an email to, and was told that there was no email address available. They have suggested that I get it fixed at my own cost and submit a claim that may or may not be reimbursed. I consider the distorted rear view camera picture to be a safety hazard when backing up. I believe that 16 months should be plenty of time to fix this problem and that Mazda just does not want to fix a manufacturing problem on a 8 year old car.
Electrical system, Visibility/wiper, Back over prevention, Oct 11, 2024
It’s been over a year since recall number 23v-487 was issued Need to get it taken care of
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Jun 3, 2024
The rear parking assist camera has only worked intermittently since I purchased the car. There is really no pattern to when or why the camera chooses to work or not work, but It seems most affected by opening and closing the rear hatch: if it's working and i open the hatch, it stops working; if it's not working, opening/closing it will often cause it to work again. This is a problem because parking/backing up becomes a challenge when it's not working. This puts my safety at risk because it increases the chances of me having a fender bender when in reverse.
Electrical system, May 7, 2024
The Mazda Connect touch screen in the center display does not accept touch commands properly or will often operate by itself (ghost touch). When it does this, even though I will have navigation on, it will interrupt the service to jump screens, causing me to lose guidance and force me to pull-over to try to deal with the issue. I have had to swerve in my lane trying to correct the issue until I have the opportunity to pull-over, and it has been dangerous to me and the folks on the road with me when this happens.
Electrical system, Back over prevention, Mar 1, 2024
A distorted or flickering rearview camera image while reversing could affect driver judgment, increasing the risk of a crash
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2024, fire
Car began to smoke. Roof caught fire at driver's visor while occupied with 2 people. Both able to exit safely. Neighbor put out with fire extinguisher. Inspected by insurance adjuster - total loss. Dealership notified. No warning lamps or messages.
Electrical system, Oct 5, 2023
Infotainment system / center console doesn't work properly. Buttons would be pushed at random, changing stations and flipping thru menus. It deteriorated to the point where it would constantly reset itself, flashing a very bright (and not dimmable) Mazda logo over and over. Mazda insisted on charging for repairs so I have instead simply removed the center console instead. otherwise the bright flashing light at night was distracting to the point of dangerous.
Electrical system, Sep 12, 2023
The backup camera is flickering and with distorted image. I called customer service but didn't provide information or solution of how to solve the issue even though they were aware of it.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 24, 2021
I have had to replace the battery on this vehicle three times in the last year. I have taken it to Mazda who replaces the battery. No excessive electrical power is being used with in the car. The car is driven regularly as well.
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2021
In mid-2021, the Mazda Connect infotainment system suddenly stopped working. Upon starting the car, the software boots over and over again. The Bluetooth is inoperable; radio plays but I cannot change stations; steering wheel functionality of these features is absent; backup camera is intermittent and dimmer. The latter is a safety issue. The Mazda dealer diagnosed a malfunction of the connectivity master unit (CMU) and said they have had a rash of the same problem with 2016's recently.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2021
The infotainment system fails to work - it is where I can access information re: maintenance schedule, or any info that is associated with a lit engine light. In addition the charging system for my mobile phone has ceased working. This includes both the usb ports and the lighter port which can be adapted with a charger that works in that receptable. These are all safety issues as far as I am concerned. Not having information related to the vehicle engine light is a big issue, but so is the fact that I can't charge my phone on long distance drives. If I needed assistance, I would be unable to contact anyone without a working cell phone. Because the display also controls the ability to pair a phone with blue tooth, there is concern for other drivers of the Mazda 3 (mine is a 2016) will be using the phone regardless of the bluetooth malfunction. I have seen a safety recall on other Mazda's with relation to the infotainment screen, but I do not see one here. I wonder why? To repair this crucial component would cost many hundreds of dollars -- something I am not in a position to do. Mazda claims this infotainment center is not under warranty, but with so much important information and safety features embedded into it, I think it should be corrected by recall. Thank you for investigating this issue. Regina
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 23, 2021
The Mazda Connect infotainment system will begin to press random buttons and continue to perform its own actions, at one point resulting in it dimming my screen so low I could not see my backup camera screen, which is a huge safety hazard.
Electrical system, Mar 5, 2021
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM COMPUTER IS ON CONSTANT REBOOT LOOP. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY OCCUR WHEN WEATHER WAS VERY COLD OR HOT. THEN IT STARTED HAPPENING AT LEAST 75% OF THE TIME NO MATTER THE WEATHER. I HAD MAZDA DEALERSHIP LOOK AT IT PRIOR TO FULL WARRANTY RUNNING OUT, THEY COULDN'T FIND AN ORIGIN OF ISSUE AND SIMPLY CHECKED FOR SOFTWARE UPDATES. IT STARTED HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND PAST FULL WARRANTY SO CANT GET LOOKED AT OR DIAGNOSED FOR FREE. A RECALL FOR THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN WAS NOTIFIED TO ME AND REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE. WHEN IT REBOOTS, IT OCCURS FOR ALMOST ENTIRE DRIVE, MAKING IT ALONG WITH ALL ITS FEATURES UNUSABLE. THIS IS DANGEROUS SINCE THE BACKUP CAMERA BLACKS OUT SPONTANEOUSLY WHEN IN REVERSE. THE HANDS FREE DRIVING, GPS, MUSIC, AND EVERYTHING ELSE RELATING TO INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM IS UNABLE TO BE USED. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE AND MAZDA HAS NOT RECALLED THE PART. BECAUSE IT TURNS OFF ABRUPTLY WHEN BACKUP CAM AND GPS IS IN USE, IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS GENERALLY ALSO DISAPPOINTING BECAUSE A MAJOR FACTOR IN PURCHASING THAT YEAR AND MODEL OF MAZDA WAS DUE TO THE AWESOME INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, BUT BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND AFTER I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO USE IT 90% OF THE TIME.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 20, 2020
MY CAR HAS 28330 MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO. LAST WEEK I WAS PARK IN FROM OF MY HOUSE. IN THE MORNING, I GOT IN THE CAR AND MY STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T TURN. I TOOK IT TO MAZDA AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $3200 TO FIX THIS. THEY WON'T TELL MY WHAT HAPPEN OTHER THAN I NEED A NEW STEERING RACKS. I BARELY DRIVE THIS CAR, NEVER ROUGH, ALWAY SERVICE IT. THIS CAR IS TOO NEW TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. MAZDA WILL NOT EVEN TRY TO HELP ME. THIS CAR IS MY LIFELINE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 11, 2020
MY 2016 MAZDA 3 IS DOING THE SAME THING AS WHAT YOU JUST HAD A RECALL ON WITH THE SOFTWARE BUT MAZDA UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT'S BACK AGAIN MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE GOING IT MISFIRES MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IT'S ON IT TAKES A LOT OF RPMS TO GO IT'S SUCKING UP MY GAS I'VE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY BECAUSE MY CAR IS DYING MY FUSE BOX SMOKES EVERY NOW AND THEN AND I ONLY HAVE 45000 MILES THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING
Electrical system, Oct 22, 2019
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO A MAZDA RECALL I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL IN 08/19. I OWN A 2016 MAZDA3 AND THE RECALL NOTICE WAS FOR THE SOFTWARE/DISPLAY CONSOLE. I CALLED HYMAN BROS MAZDA IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA TO MAKE APPT TO GET THIS FIXED ON 08/21/19 AND WAS REFERRED TO THE SERVICE DEPT. I MADE AN APPT AND WAS SEEN ON 08/28/19. I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHEN I MADE THE APPT ON 08/21/19 THAT THIS WAS NOT TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE BUT TO LOOK AND CONFIRM THAT IS WHAT I NEEDED. I TOOK TIME OFF WORK FOR WHAT ENDED UP BEING A 5 MIN APPT TO CONFIRM I DID IN FACT NEED THAT PART. HOWEVER I AM STILL WAITING ON THAT PART. I HAVE CALLED WEEKLY FOR A STATUS UPDATE AND THE BEST THE PARTS DEPT. CAN OFFER ME IS THAT THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER AND NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL COME IN. MEANWHILE I AM STILL DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE ELECTRONIC DISPLAY WILL INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORK. THE NAVIGATION FEATURE AT TIMES IS NOT USABLE, OTHER TIMES IT WILL AUTO DIAL NUMBERS IN MY CALL HISTORY WITHOUT MY PROMPTING OR AUTOMATICALLY JUMP FROM ONE RADIO STATION TO ANOTHER. I FEEL THAT IT HAS BECOME UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I AM EXPECTED TO WAIT ON A PART FROM A NATIONWIDE RECALL TO GET MY CAR FIXED. I CALLED 11 TIMES SINCE 08/19 AND SENT 2 EMAIL REQUESTS THROUGH THE HYMAN BROS MAZDA WEBSITE WITH NO RESPONSE. THE 1ST TIME I SENT THIS QUERY, I RECEIVED AN AUTO MESSAGE ON 09/11/19 STATING THEY RECEIVED MY EMAIL AND WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH ME SHORTLY. THAT WAS OVER A MONTH AGO AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE. THE 2ND TIME I SENT A QUERY ON 10/17/19 AND AGAIN RECEIVED AN AUTO RESPONSE STATING THEY WILL BE IN CONTACT WITH ME BUT STILL NOTHING. ON 10/22/19, THE CAR AUTO-DIALED 5 TIMES AND PREVENTED ME FROM HANGING UP. THIS WAS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING DISTRACTED TRYING TO SHUT IT OFF. I PARKED THE CAR AND DISCONNECTED THE BLUE TOOTH FEATURE FROM MY CELLPHONE.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 1, 2019
6/18/19 6:45 AM: MY CAR 'STALLED' OR LOST POWER AS I WAS ACCELERATING AND TURNING LEFT ACROSS A BOULEVARD (US 51 HWY IN MCFARLAND, WI). LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF THE CAR (EVEN THOUGH I HAD NO POWER), WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED IT. THERE WERE A LOT OF DASH WARNING LIGHTS TRIGGERED ONCE I LOST POWER, BUT I DO NOT RECALL SPECIFICALLY WHICH ONES. I RESUMED DRIVING AND HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. HOWEVER, I DID FIND OUT LATER (JULY 10, 2019) THAT MY CAR COULD BE UNDER NHTSA RECALL NO. 19V497000, BUT WAS TOLD BY MY DEAL RUSS DARROW-MADISON, WI, ON 7/26/19 THAT MY CAR WAS NOT ELIGIBLE. I ASKED IF THEY REPORT THE PROBLEM TO ANYONE & THEY SAID NO, BUT IF THERE IS A RECALL ON MY CAR, IT WOULD HAVE DOCUMENTATION IN THEIR NOTES THAT SAYS THERE WAS A PROBLEM.
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2019
CMU IS ON A CONSTANT REBOOT. BROUGHT TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP TO BE NOTIFIED THE CMU NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR IS ONLY 3.5 YEARS OLD WITH 53K MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS BUT MAZDA WON'T PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. 1200+ FOR REPAIR. CONTACTED CORPORATE AND THEY OFFERED $500 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. NOT GOOD ENOUGH, WILL BE GETTING RID OF THE CAR AND THEY LOST A LOYAL MAZDA CUSTOMER FOREVER. MAZDA IS STAYING THIS ISN'T A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS WHY THERE IS NO RECALL. I BEG TO DIFFER. HAVING AN INFOTAINMENT CENTER THAT IS ON A CONSTANT REBOOT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND HALF THE TIME WHEN I REVERSE THE CAMERA DOESN'T LIGHT UP DEPENDING ON WHERE IN THE REBOOT CYCLE IT IS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 16, 2019
A SENSOR (YELLOW/ORANGE COLOR) APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD INTERMITTENTLY. THE SETTINGS IN THE CAR SAY "BATTERY MGT. SYSTEM MALFUNCTION". AT THE TIMES WHEN THIS ERROR IS NOT ON THE DASHBOARD, THERE IS NO MESSAGE THAT ANYTHING IS WRONG. MY CAR ONLY HAS 23K MILES. THE DEALER WILL NOT DO A SENSOR CHECK BECAUSE IT IS JUST OVER 3 YEARS OLD.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Aug 23, 2017
MY CAR STARTED SHAKING AND I LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT RATS HAVE CHEWED THROUGH THE ENGINE HARNESS AND OTHER WIRING. THEY SAY THEY HAVE SEEN DOZENS OF CASES IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS JUST LIKE THIS. THEY SAID THAT RATS ARE ATTRACTED TO THE COATING ON THE WIRES. MAZDA WON'T ISSUE A RECALL OR REPAIR THE WIRING. IT IS A FIRE HAZARD AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I GUESS THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THEY FIX IT? MY CAR IS 18 MONTHS OLD WITH 7,062 MILES. I WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET IN BROOKLYN AND HAD ONLY DRIVEN 3 BLOCKS WITHOUT MAKING ANY TURNS WHEN I HAD TO PULL OVER. MY CAR IS LOCATED AT KOEPPEL MAZDA 718-721-9100. THEY SHOULD HAVE ALL OF THE DETAILS OF THE DAMAGE IF YOU NEED IT. I DRIVE THE CAR ALMOST EVERY DAY AND IT IS PARKED ON A DIFFERENT STREET EVERY DAY. THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN OR WHICH STREET THIS HAPPENED ON.