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: service brakes
6 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Feb 2, 2023
The rear brake pads on my 2018 Mazda 3 have worn out prematurely, thinning to as little as 2MM in just 40,000 miles, while my front brakes are still 6MM. Brand new brakes are 10MM. I have heard the exact same complaint from the owner of a 2016 Mazda 3, which is the same generation. In the majority of cars, front brakes are supposed to wear our faster than the rear, so this is definitely a problem. Further evidence of the problem is shown in the fact that my car tends to steer a bit left when pointed in a straight direction, even after getting alignment perfectly done, consistent with the fact that the driver's side rear brake pad has worn out the fastest. In short, the rear brakes seem to be clamping excessively or sticking to the pad when the brake pedal is disengaged, most intensely on the rear driver's side but also on the rear passenger's, thus wearing out brake pads prematurely, reducing fuel efficiency and creating excess environmental waste. This can also be a major safety hazard if the brake pads thin out well before a driver is expecting or if the brakes engage unexpectedly.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Sep 16, 2022
warning lights FOR ABS
Service brakes, Jun 19, 2021
ONLY REAR BRAKES SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEAR FAILURE AT 13200 MILES DESPITE ROUTINE WASHING AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT DEALERSHIP, WHILE THE FRONT BRAKES ARE PRISTINE. REAR BRAKE NOISES BEGAN AT 13200 MILES AND WAS MENTIONED TO DEALER DURING ROUTINE MAINTNENACE AT 13283 MILES. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO ACCEPT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND TRIES TO BLAME ENVIRONMENT FOR UNUSUAL CORROSION AFTER 2 YEARS. ESCALATED TO MAZDA USA PENDING. THIS SEEMS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE ISSUES NOTED IN 2017 MAZDA3 IN COMPLAINT NHTSAID: 11240160 AND RELATED TO THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER RECALLS FOR ( Part 573 Safety Recall Report 17V-393)
Service brakes, Jul 3, 2020
MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY APPLIES ITS BRAKES WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE. I WAS DRIVING AT A SPEED OF AROUND 60 MPH FOLLOWING A PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK STARTS FLASHING TO TURN RIGHT, I STARTED TO BRAKE A LITTLE, MY SPEED WAS REDUCED TO AROUND 40-45 MPH... JUST WHEN I WAS READY TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN, BECAUSE THE TRUCK HAS FULLY COMPLETED HIS TURN ( WAS ALL THE WAY ON THE OTHER STREET)... MY MAZDA 3 2018 HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR REALLY FAST TO AROUND 10 MPH !!! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO RISK OF A CRASH, MY GIRL FRIEND WAS IN SHOCK, SHE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. SORRY IF MY ENGLISH IS NOT SO GOOD, I USUALLY SPEAK FRENCH !!! THE CAR HAVE ONLY 2000 MILLES, I BOUGHT IT NEW ON MARCH 2020... JUST BEFORE COVID-19 !!!
Service brakes, Jun 24, 2020, crash
VEHICLE WAS OFF AND UNATTENDED IN PARKING LOT:MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHICH I'VE DRIVEN MY WHOLE LIFE & I'M NO SPRING CHICKEN. LIVE IN FLAT CITY WHERE HILL/ROLLING BACK HAS NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE. CAR HAS ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. 1 DAY A YEAR INTO THE LEASE, WAS PARKED @A PUMP@TGAS STATION &WHEN CAME OUT,CAR HAD MOVED/ROLLED BACK. SHOCKINGLY I THOUGHT I MESSED UP/MIGHT'VE FORGOTTEN2 ENGAGE PARKING BRAKE, DESPITE IT BECOMING 2ND NATURE. THANKED GOD DIDN'T ROLL BACK INTO ANYTHING/ANYONE, VOWED 2 BE XTRA MINDFUL/CAREFUL.TURNS OUT NO MATTER HOW CAREFUL/MINDFUL I'VE BEEN,JUST THE OTHER DAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN.THIS TIME, HUSBAND WAS IN THE CAR W/ME &SWORE SAW ME AS USUAL, AS 2ND NATURE, ENGAGE THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. MIND U,HAVE NEVER PUT IT INTO 1ST YEAR 2 PARK BECAUSE NEVER NEEDED 2. I GUESS SHOULD HAVE THIS TIME AS BACK-UP 2 THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE THAT DIDN'T ENGAGE. WE WERE ACROSS THE LOT AT THE ATM WHEN WE SAW CAR ROLLING BACK. HUSBAND RAN 2 TRY 2 STOP IT BEFORE IT COULD HIT SOMETHING BUT HE DIDN'T SUCCEED. IT WAS 2 HEAVY & ENDED UP CRASHING IN2 THE POSTS& HANDRAIL THAT I GUESS ARE THERE FOR THAT EXACT REASON. POSTS STOPPED CAR BUT HUSBAND HURT HIS WRIST & NECK IN HIS ATTEMPT 2BE SUPERMAN. POSTS OF COURSE HAD NO DAMAGE. CONTACTED MAZDA,THEY SAID THEY'D CHECK IT OUT. I REFERENCED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN PRIOR YEARS. THEY SAID NO RECALL HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR THIS YEAR. DURING THIS WHOLE COVID-19 & HUSBAND BEING FURLOUGHED, THE LAST THING WE NEED IS AN EXTRA EXPENSE AS MY INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE WILL BE. CAR IS @DEALER NOW & THEY'RE TESTING IT 2SEE IF IT HAPPENS WHILE IN THEIR SHOP.I HATE FOR THIS TO BE A FAULTY PART OR WARRANTY ISSUE BUT ALSO HOPING IT IS SO IT WILL BE ANNOUNCED &OTHER PEOPLE CAN LEARN ABOUT THIS HORRIBLE POSSIBILITY O GRATEFUL THAT CAR DID NOT ROLL BACK AND INJURE A PERSON OR AN ANIMAL! UGH! BEWARE! *TR
Service brakes, Oct 14, 2019
I HAD A SCARY SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2018 MAZDA 3 YESTERDAY. I HAD LEFT THE CAR RUNNING SO THAT MY DOG WOULD HAVE A/C. MY CAR IS HAS STANDARD TRANSMISSION. I PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON BUT AS I WAS EXITING THE CAR MY DOG ACCIDENTALLY PUT HER PAW ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON AND THE CAR STARTED GOING BACKWARDS. THANK GOODNESS I WAS ABLE TO REACH IN AND PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BUTTON BACK UP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGEDY, NOT ONLY POTENTIALLY DAMAGING MY CAR AND OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY BUT GOD FORBID MY CAR ROLLED INTO A PERSON. THIS EMERGENCY BRAKE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE LEFT MY CAR IN NEUTRAL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR LAST DECEMBER AND AM VERY LUCKY THIS INCIDENT DIDN'T OCCUR WHEN I WASN'T SO CLOSE TO MY CAR. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE A SENSOR OR SAFETY FEATURE OF SOME SORT THAT WOULD REQUIRE THERE TO BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IN THE FRONT SEAT THAT PREVENTED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FROM DISENGAGING. IN PRIOR CARS WITH A NORMAL EMERGENCY BRAKE THAT IS EITHER ENGAGED ON THE FLOOR OF THE CAR OR PULLED UP MANUALLY NEAR THE GEAR SHIFT THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN. MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS CAN'T BE THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND IT COULD VERY EASILY HAVE DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL LEAVE THEIR A/C OR HEAT RUNNING WHILE THERE IS A HUMAN OR DOG IN THE CAR WHEN THEY HAVE TO STEP OUT OF THE CAR TO GET THE MAIL, PUT SOMETHING ELSE IN THE CAR, ETC. IN A CAR WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSION, THE ONLY WAY TO LEAVE THE A/C OR HEAT RUNNING IS TO LEAVE THE CAR IN NEUTRAL.