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: power train
11 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 2, 2024
I noticed oil was leaking and my engine was steaming after driving. My mechanic found a crack in a cylinder after watching YouTube and finding out Mazda has this issue.
Power train, Jun 23, 2023
The contact owns a 2019 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the vehicle network malfunction, vehicle inspection”, the check engine warning light and all the safety features were disabled, and the windshield wipers turned on independently. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road. The contact mentioned that the gear shifter failed to shift out of park(P) and the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact was able to operate the vehicle normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test and stated that no failure was found however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the dealer stated that they were aware of the failure, but the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by a Tech. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 36,329.
Power train, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 20, 2022
the vehicle started surging at low soeeds and accelarating and control module issues for the transmission
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2020
FROM A FULL STOP AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MOVE FOOT TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND A DELAY OR LAG IS EXPERIENCED ABOUT 50% OR MORE OF THE TIME. THE REGIONAL MAZDA EXPERT AND DEALERSHIP HAVE VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND NOTHING BUT EXCUSES WHY THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT HAVE BEEN STATED, THEREFORE I HAVE BEEN LIVING WITH IT FOR OVER 20K MILES ON A NEW CAR. WHILE STARTING FROM A FULL STOP AND FORGETTING ABOUT THE DELAY IN PROPULSION, IT HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS FROM ONCOMING VEHICLES. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDAL, I EXPECT THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD!! THIS IS DANGEROUS!! THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE A SOLUTION AND IS POINTING TO MAZDA JAPAN FOR A SOLUTION, BUT NOTHING FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.
Power train, May 26, 2020
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP WHILE I WAS DOING 15 MPH AND JUST GAVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ALL YOU COULD SMELL IS BURNT FLUID AND HEAR A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR WHILE AT IDLE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 12,680 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM HIGHLY DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THIS CAR.*DT*JB
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Apr 17, 2020
I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO MULTIPLE MAZDA DEALERS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WITH COMPLAINTS OF SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH IT STRUCTURALLY, SPECIFICALLY IN THE SUSPENSION, DRIVELINE, ETC. EVERY TIME I PLEAD WITH THEM THAT I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I TRULY FEEL THAT I MIGHT DIE IN IT DUE TO ITS DEFECTS, BUT EVERY TIME I AM FORCED BACK INTO IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE MY CONCERN AND THAT THE CAR HAS NOTHING WRONG. I'VE CAUGHT FREEMAN MAZDA OF IRVING FALSIFYING THEIR INTERNAL WORK ORDERS AND GIVING ME ONES SHOWING THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. MY BATTERY DIED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THEY GAVE ME A TEST STRIP THAT STATED MY BATTERY NEEDED A CHARGE, BUT I GOT A GLIMPSE OF THEIR COPY WHICH STATED THE BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE DEFECTS THAT EXIST WITH MY VEHICLE. ON THE SMOOTHEST ROADS IN DFW AT LOW SPEEDS MY CAR IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH, BOUNCING UP AND DOWN, AND IT TRULY FEELS LIKE MY AXLES ARE NOT ROTATING IN SYNC THAT RESULTS IN SEVERE VIBRATIONS, SHUDDERING, AND THE FEELING THAT MY AXLES WILL BREAK OR THAT A WHEEL WILL COME OFF AT THE VERY LEAST. I'VE HAD SO MANY PANIC ATTACKS, SUFFERED AN AMOUNT OF MENTAL ANGUISH I CAN'T BEGIN TO QUANTIFY, LOST WAGES, ALMOST LOST MY JOB, QUESTIONED MY OWN SANITY FROM BEING TOLD ALMOST TWO DOZEN TIMES THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I NEED HELP, I REALLY AM BEGGING. THEY ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECTS MY CAR HAS AND WRITING MY SAFETY OFF LIKE MY LIFE DOES NOT MATTER. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED, HURT SOMEONE ELSE, OR DIE IN THIS CAR BECAUSE I FEEL AN ACCIDENT IS IMPENDING. I'VE BEEN SO SCARED FOR MY LIFE IN THIS CAR THAT I'VE SPENT OVER $2K ON RENTAL CARS BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO DIE AND MAZDA HAS JUST LEFT ME HANGING WITH NO REGARD FOR MY SAFETY. *TR
Power train, Mar 16, 2020
FROM A FULL STOP, VEHICLE LAGS OR LURCHES FROM TAKEOFF WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY MAZDA ON THIS VEHICLE (GEN 7) AFTER 3000 MILES OR MORE. WHEN I HIT THE ACCELERATOR (ESPECIALLY ON A NEW CAR), I EXPECT IT TO GO. THIS LAG IN MOVING OFF THE LINE CAN BE DANGEROUS, IN MY OPINION, BUT APPARENTLY NOT IN MAZDA'S. BEEN TRYING TO GET IT FIXED FOR PAST 6 MONTHS, BUT HEARING IT'S NOT A PRIORITY FOR MAZDA JAPAN, SINCE THIS PROBLEM IS NEWLY BEING REPORTED ON 2019 AND 2020'S AND THEY DON'T CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE, JUST AN ANNOYANCE.
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
Steering, Power train, Electrical system, Aug 6, 2019
MY CAR SUDDENLY MADE A BIG CLUNK NOISE AND I WAS WARNED OF A POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION. I HAVE ALSO BEEN WARNED MULTIPLE TIMES THAT DUE TO A MALFUNCTION THE 'SAFETY SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN DISABLED', ANOTHER ISSUE IN HAVING IS A HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION. WHEN THE HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTION OCCURS THE DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER GETS VERY DARK AND I AM UNABLE TO TELL HOW FAST I AM GOING. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN THE BRIGHTNESS UP TO SEE THE SPEEDOMETER AGAIN UNTIL THE ERROR CODE GOES AWAY. MAZDA TOLD ME I MUST LEAVE MY WINDOWS DOWN WHEN THE CAR IS IN A HOT CLIMATE TO PREVENT IT FROM OVERHEATING WHILE NOT IN USE...I LIVE IN OHIO SO THE WEATHER IS NOT EXTREMELY HARSH. I'VE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT FIXED ANY OF THE ISSUES. I CALLED MAZDA CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD 'WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DO ABOUT IT' I WAS TOLD MY ISSUES HAD NO REMEDY. THE CORPORATE CALL CENTER WOULD NOT PUT ME THROUGH TO ANYONE ELSE FOR FURTHER HELP. I FEEL UNSAFE IN MY VEHICLE AND IT'S NOT EVEN OVER 8500 MILES YET.
Power train, Jul 20, 2019
A SAFETY CRITICAL INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MY NEW 2019 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK WHEN THE VEHICLE WHEN INTO "LIMP" MODE WHILE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS LEADING TO RAPID DECELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST MANUFACTURER SERVICE LOCATION WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. CODES SHOW THAT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CENTRAL VEHICLE PROCESSOR AND MULTIPLE SUB-PROCESSORS FAILED SIMULTANEOUSLY. COMMENTS WERE MADE BY MANUFACTURER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES THAT FAILURE MODE IS LIKELY DIFFERENT FROM THE RECENT CYLINDER DEACTIVATION/ROCKER ARM RECALL. SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES WERE INSTRUCTED TO SIMPLY CLEAR THE CODES AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO ATTEMPT TO REPRODUCE THE FAILURE DURING WHICH IT DID NOT OCCUR. I HAVE ATTACHED A SANITIZED VERSION OF THE SERVICE RECEIPT TO THIS MESSAGE WITH THE FULL LIST OF CODES. UNFORTUNATELY MAZDA'S REPRESENTATIVES WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY EXPLANATION ON WHY THIS FAILURE OCCURRED OR WHAT WILL BE DONE TO PREVENT IT IN THE FUTURE. ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WILL NEED TO BE PERFORMED TO REACH AN ACCEPTABLE CONCLUSION. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS RELATING TO THE INCIDENT INCLUDE A VERY HOT OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE, WITH A READING OF 115 DEG F FROM THE VEHICLE'S SENSOR ROUGHLY 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRED ON A VERY LONG SECTION OF US HIGHWAY WITH A CONSISTENT, GRADUAL INCLINE. GIVEN THAT INFORMATION POTENTIAL CAUSES ARE INTERMITTENT COMPUTER HARDWARE FAILURE IN HIGH TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTS, OR A SOFTWARE ERROR IN POWER TRAIN CONTROL OR CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING A COMMUNICATION BUS FAILURE. WITH THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE (336 MI) THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS FAILURE OCCURRING IS LIKELY PRESENT IN A LARGE PORTION OF NEW MAZDA VEHICLES.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jun 2, 2019
- REAR VIEW MIRROR FELL OFF WHILE ON THE FREEWAY. HOT DAYS WILL BREAK DOWN THE ADHESIVE AND CAUSE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO FALL OFF. - BRAKES VIBRATE HARSHLY WHEN IN SPORT MODE. FASTER THE VEHICLE GOES, THE MORE HARSH THE BRAKES WILL VIBRATE. - ACCELERATION IS JERKY ON LOW END (1ST/2ND) GEAR. IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, OR GOING UP-HILL ON LOAD, ACCELERATION WILL FEEL JERKY WHEN TRY TO KEEP A STEADY SPEED BETWEEN 5-15MPH. CAR FEELS NORMAL WHEN PUSHING THE ACCELERATION HARDER.