2018 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 108 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 6 involved a crash. 5 people were injured and 1 person died.
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
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, fuel pumpNov 12, 2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Campaign 21V875000 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
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust systemNov 21, 2017
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.
Campaign 17V745000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
30 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 16, 2022
warning lights FOR ABS
Electrical system, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 26, 2021
THE REAR WIPER STOPPED WORKING DURING A DRIVE IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS, SIMILARLY LIKE IT HAPPEN TO THE SAME VEHICLE FOR THE FRONT WIPERS 6 MONTHS AFTER I GOT THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE. WHEN I WENT FOR THE ACTUAL APPOINTMENT ON MARCH 2021, THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS BARELY 3 YEARS OLD, AND JUST FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEY WILL CHARGE $160 PLUS TAX. THE POTENTIAL REPAIR WOULD BE EXTRA, RANGING FROM A NEW BCM TO A NEW MOTOR, OR BOTH, SCALING UP TO $450 REPAIR BILL. THE ISSUE IS EXTREMELY SIMILAR TO A SAFETY RECALL THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FOR THE FRONT WIPER WERE THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. I CONSIDER THIS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF YOU'RE DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH DURING THE HEAVY RAIN AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE AND VEHICLE THAT COMES AT HIGH SPEED, SUCH TRUCK THAT LOOSE THE BRAKES IN A ROUNDABOUT EXIT, THAT POSES A SAFETY RISK TO DRIVERS AND OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE FOR THIS REAR WIPER ISSUE LIKE FOR THE FRONT ONE.
Electrical system, Feb 9, 2021
THE CHARGE WARNING SYSTEM CAME ON AND THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC IT HAPPENED ON FEBRUARY 3RD AND I HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT ON FEBRUARY THE 9TH 2021 I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET LOOKED AT MY MAZDA AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITHOUT HAVING THE INDICATION WHEN I CLEARLY TOLD THEM MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND IT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS
Electrical system, Engine, May 21, 2020
THE BATTERY IN MY 2018 MAZDA 3 (TOURING) HAS DIED 3 TIMES IN ABOUT YEAR'S TIME. AFTER THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER SAID IT WAS JUST A FLUKE--THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY ANYTHING. THEY PUT A BRAND NEW BATTERY IN. AFTER THE SECOND BATTERY DIED, THE DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE WE WEREN'T MAKING LONG DRIVES IN THE CAR. THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A BRAND NEW ONE--AND THEY ASSURED ME IT WASN'T ANYTHING ELSE INCLUDING THE ALTERNATOR (I ASKED ABOUT THE ALTERNATOR SPECIFICALLY). NOW, THAT BATTERY HAS DIED. I WILL CALL THE DEALER TOMORROW TO HAVE A FOURTH BATTERY INSTALLED.... THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY--EITHER IN OUR GARAGE OR DRIVEWAY--WHEN WE REALIZED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECORDS OF MY VARIOUS VISITS TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP, PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Seat belts, Jul 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WARNING CHIME SOUNDED WHEN THE SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BEAT TO STOP THE WARNING SOUND. IN ADDITION, BOTH PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS FAILED TO ROLL UP AFTER BEING DOWN. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE FROM SECOND INTO FIRST GEAR IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ODGES MAZDA AT THE AVENUES (10681 PHILIPS HWY, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256, (904) 562-1600) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18.