2019 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 74 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2019 reports, 3 involved a crash. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency brakingDec 19, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.
Campaign 19V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearJul 29, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing. Note: Vehicles equipped with auto dimming mirrors are not affected by this recall.
Rearward visibility will be reduced without the rearview mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3919G.
Campaign 19V558000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, head restraintJul 5, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.
Loose head restraints may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3819F.
Campaign 19V514000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineJun 27, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
Campaign 19V497000 on NHTSA.gov
Wheels, lugs/nuts/bolts/studsJun 7, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.
A wheel separating from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the front and rear wheel lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3519F.
Campaign 19V425000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelMay 14, 2019
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.
Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.
Campaign 19V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Nov 3, 2024
This began on 10.19.24 and as of 11.03.24 is ongoing and not repaired. On 10/19/24, while I was at a red light, the RPMs on my vehicle went up and down repeatedly. After I arrived at my destination, which was about a half mile away, and put the car in park, the RPMs repeatedly went up and down between 1,000 and 2,000 RPMs and the check engine light came on, and a message displayed saying malfunction - have the vehicle inspected. I spent $100 at my mechanic who could not pinpoint the issue. After I picked up the car, I stopped to get gas and then my battery died. I then decided to take my car to the dealer where I purchased it, Mazda of Roswell. After I put the car in park at the Mazda of Roswell service department, the RPMs started going back and forth between 1,000 and 2,500 RPMs. My car spent 6 days at Mazda of Roswell, where the service dept was unresponsive and my car was never inspected. I then spent $1600 at North Roswell Automotive, only to have the issue appear again after driving less than two miles. I am not sure it is safe to drive a vehicle in which the RPMs are unstable. So far this has only happened when the car is idling or in park. If it happens when the car is in motion I hope I am able to control the vehicle. My car needs service at a Mazda dealer but I need the dealer to be honest with me about what to expect in terms of how long it will take to address the issue. Since this is an engine issue, this issue could be something that causes the car to stall or fail at any time, including while I am in traffic; it could also be electrical, since the battery suddenly died without warning. This would place myself and others on the road in danger. I purchased the battery just over one year ago, so I do not know if there is an issue there.
Engine, Jun 5, 2024
I had an oil change back in April of 2024. I have been driving the last couple of days and after about 15 minutes my low oil light comes. this car has 58.800 miles on it. I stopped at a oil express to see if I was low on oil but they said I was at full. I also checked to see if they saw anything leaking but they also said they didn't see anything. if the gasket is bad 58,000 that is telling me it's a faulty product. I'm afraid that my engine could lock up on the highway and cause a bad accident.
Engine, Jan 3, 2024
Cylinder head is leaking oil due to known defect by Mazda. The rocker arm rubs the cylinder and causes the wall the thin and oil to leak through. Oil sprays on exhaust and other moving parts causing a safety concern due to possible oil combustion. This is in relation to TSB SA-031/21. Only alert is the low engine oil light due to the leak. At this point, oil has already covered a majority of the engine compartment and exhaust manifold.
Engine, Nov 14, 2023
Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak. Confirmed by Mazda Dealership. Vehicle has always had routine maintenance and remote start used to warm engine prior to driving. No warning lights appeared to alert driver prior to noticing issue- took it in because driver could smell burning oil which is a fire risk to safety of occupants while using vehicle. This type of issue is a manufacturer flaw and should be covered with recall since there are a lot of people online experiencing the exact same issue.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 1, 2023
Vehicle will over heat and then show warning messages that auto light system malfunction and engine will shut off randomly.
Exterior lighting, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that after pulling over to the shoulder the vehicle would not immediately restart. The contact stated that approximately five minutes later, the vehicle restarted without pressing the start button. The contact stated that the message "Network Malfunction" was displayed. The contact stated that several electrical malfunctions had previously occurred with the vehicle including the front windshield wipers independently activating, with the headlights and instrument cluster lights flickering. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 7, 2022
Car will not start, instrument panel flashes on and off. I’ve had to jump the car to start it and then the check engine light and engine malfunction warning messages appear on the panel. I’ve had the battery tested and told it wasn’t the battery.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 7, 2022
Car suddenly stalled and failed to accelerate while driving with accelerator fully depressed.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 15, 2020
VEHICLE SLOWED TO 20MPH AND A WARNING MESSAGE 'ENGINE MALFUNCTION, TOKE TO DEALER''. PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY FOR A FEW MINUTES, RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE MESSAGE NO LONGER APPEARED. ( THE NEAREST DEALER IS 75 MILES AWAY) I AM IN FLAGSTAFF AT THIS TIME.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Engine, May 24, 2020, crash
THESE ISSUES BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE SECOND MONTH I OWNED MY 2019 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. 1- SUSPENSIONS, THEY'RE VERY ROUGH & HARSH., THEY BOUNCE SO MUCH FOR NO REASON, I DAMAGED ONE TIRE ALREADY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I476 NORMAL HIGHWAY WHERE I STEPPED ON NORMAL POTHOLE ENDED UP DAMAGING MY TIRE, SUSPENSIONS ARE REALLY DANGERS ON ALL ROADS. 2- "ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL" THIS FEATURE MANY TIMES ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, REAR END SPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS. FOR SOME REASON IT DOESN'T DETECT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HAVE AUTO CRUISE ENABLED, NO RAIN CLEAR WEATHER, THIS BEEN REPORTED MORE THAN 5 TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP & ITS HARD FOR THEM TO TELL WHAT HAPPEN. THEY EVEN HAD SPECIALIST CAME FROM CA TO CHECK UP THE CAR HOWEVER IT WAS DECLARED THE CAR HAS NO ISSUES, YET I STILL HAVE ISSUES EVERY DAY, S 3- EMERGENCY BREAKING, SOMETIMES IT ENABLES FOR NO REASON & THE CARS BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED ME, THEY THINK I DID BREAK CHECK BUT I DON'T THE BRAKES! 4- PERUZZI MAZDA, WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR, SAID THEY WILL NEVER WORK ON MY CAR AGAIN BECAUSE "IT WASTED ENOUGH OF THEIR TIME". I HAVE VIDEO OF ME PICKING UP THE CAR FROM PERUZZI MAZDA, DEALERSHIP & IT WON'T START UP OUT SIDE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT & I CALLED THE MANAGER & HE SAID LEAVE FOR NEXT DAY, HE CALLED ME DAY AFTER SAYING IT WAS MY IPHONE CHARGER... I ASKED HIM HOW THE TECH WAS ABLE TO BRING IT OUTSIDE TO THE FRONT DOOR WITHOUT NO ISSUES? HE REFUSED TO ANSWER. I WORK AT A HOSPITAL & I DAILY MY CAR TO WORK, ITS NOT SAFE FOR ME OR TO ANYONE ON THE ROAD TO DRIVE IT AT ALL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 21, 2020
CAR LULLS/JERKS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM LOW SPEEDS CAR LACKS POWER MOST OF THE TIME AND PERFORMS POORLY ENGINE LOSES POWER, SEVERAL OCCURRENCES OF WHAT WOULD APPEAR TO BE LIMP MODE ( CAN'T GET PASSED 2000-3000 ) RPMS CAR HAS ERRATIC IDLE RPMS, SOMETIMES HIGH AND SOMETIMES LOW I'VE RECENTLY HEARD THE ENGINE ROAR WHILE IDLING AND HISSING FROM THE ENGINE BAY WHEN SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE ALSO SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS DIESELING AFTER SHUT DOWN LIKELY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS BEGINNING TO OVERHEAT FROM THE IMMENSE STRESS IN THE ENGINE FROM RUNNING TOO LEAN CAR HAS POOR SOUND ABSORPTION IN THE CABIN, SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE IN A AIRPLANE EVERY BUMP IT GOES OVER REVERBERATES THROUGH THE CAR FOR AN EXTREMELY UNPLEASANT AND UNSAFE EXPERIENCE FEELS LIKE THERE IS EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE FRONT AXLE WHEELS SEEM TO DRAG AND THUD/THUMP LIKE THERE IS A FLAT WHEN THERE IS NOT I'VE HAD MY WHEELS ALIGNED TWICE ALREADY, THEY'VE BALANCED MY TIRES SEVERAL TIMES, EVEN CHANGED A WHEEL BEARING (I AM AWARE OF THE TSB RELEASED TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS AND YOU BLAME IT ON A BEARING) NOTHING MAKES THIS BETTER AND IT IS GETTING WORSE MY CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS COMPLAINT 3 TIMES ALREADY THIS YEAR ( YES THAT IS EVERY WEEK OUT OF 2020 SO FAR). THIS IS BECOMING A COMPLETE BURDEN IN MY LIFE AND I AM NOT GOING TO BE THE PERSON WHO HAS TO DIE FOR MAZDA TO ADDRESS THIS