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
103 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Wheels, Sep 7, 2016, crash
AIR BAGS AND BAD TIRES - I HYDROPLANED ON AN INTERSTATE AND TOTALED MY CAR AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. I LOST CONTROL AND HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND CONTINUED TO GO UP A 30FT EMBANKMENT. ON THE WAY BACK DOWN I TOOK OUT A VERY LARGE METAL LIGHT POLE WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. AFTER INSPECTION OF MY CAR MY TIRES WERE BAD. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN 7 MONTHS AGO.
Air bags, Aug 22, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Seats, May 18, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 MAZDA 3. WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FRACTURED AND COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND INJURIES TO THE NECK AND LOWER BACK. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AWAY BY AMBULANCE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.