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: service brakes
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 6, 2025
To whom it may concern, I was on a back road late in the evening not far from home [XXX] and a small deer ran into the road. I needed to brake to avoid hitting the deer. After breaking, a Brake System Malfunction warning message and i-ACTIVESENSE System Malfunction warning illuminated on my dashboard. I brought the car to a Mazda dealership the next morning. The technician determined that the brake fluid level sensor became stuck, requiring replacement of the brake fluid reservoir and the brake fluid level sensor. What failed: The repairs include replacement of the Brake Fluid Reservoir and the Brake Fluid Level Sensor. This is the link to the dealer report [XXX] . No one other than the dealer has inspected these parts to my knowledge. There was no accident of any kind. I personally felt unsafe after these parts failing and reached out to Mazda Customer Care to request investigation of the issue. The case manager just called me back today to say they could not help me. Mazda has denied warranty coverage, claiming the parts are not covered. However, I really do feel this is a critical safety system component that failed after normal emergency use with no collision or impact. Why I feel this is a safety concern: - The brake warning system became unreliable after a single emergency stop. - My car only has 42k miles and is in excellent condition and is fully dealer serviced. - A driver could lose the ability to receive proper brake system warnings if this failure occurs again. - A critical brake sensor should not fail under normal driving conditions, and its failure could lead to delayed driver response in an actual brake fluid loss scenario. It makes me worry for the future. For your consideration: I believe this represents a safety-related defect that should be investigated, as it affects the reliability of the brake system warning indicators in the 2019 Mazda 3. I appreciate your time and consideration. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 21, 2020
I WAS ACCELERATING AFTER A TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME WHEN THE CAR STARTED BRAKING AUTOMATICALLY AND CAME TO A FULL STOP. LUCKILY THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO STOP IN TIME BUT THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO REASON. I COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE TWO SENSORS AND NEITHER ONE WAS BLOCKED (IT HAD SNOWED HERE RECENTLY). I'M HONESTLY SCARED THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND MAZDA IS SAYING THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS ABOUT THIS FOR MY CAR AND THAT THE CAR IS FINE.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 11, 2020
WITHOUT CAUSE: THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DETECT THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND/OR SENSE AN IMMINENT COLLISION AND SUBSEQUENTLY APPLIES THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM, CAUSING THE VEHICLE SPEED TO SUDDENLY DECREASE. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY OVER THE COURSE OF DRIVING THE CAR AND RESULTED IN BEING ALMOST REAR ENDED NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SCENARIO AND COULD EASILY CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY WHEN EVERYONE AROUND IS GOING REALLY FAST AND NEEDS MORE TIME TO REACT TO THE SUDDEN AND SHARP SLOWING DOWN OF MY VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS, FREEWAY, HIGHWAY, OR IN THE CITY. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES TO HAVE THIS FIXED, BUT GET A DIFFERENT ANSWER EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN. BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS UNRESOLVED AND CONTINUES TO PLACE ME, MY PASSENGERS, OTHER DRIVERS, AND EVEN PEDESTRIANS IN HARMS WAY.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 15, 2020
THE SMART BRAKE SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE CAR SLAMS ON ITS BRAKES FOR NO REASON. NO VEHICLE IS AHEAD OF ME. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THIS OCCURS AND I HAVEN'T BEEN REAR ENDED YET. IT'S HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE AND AFTER I COMPLETED THE RECALL. THE CONDITION IS WORSE WHEN IT'S RAINING. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER 30 DAYS UNABLE TO REPAIR.
Service brakes, Aug 12, 2020
I WAS TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON THE 10 FWY AT ABOUT 50 MPH BETWEEN THE EXITS TOWN AND INDIAN HILL WITH INDIAN HILL EXIT AT 1 MILES AWAY AND I WAS CHANGING LANES SO THAT I COULD EXIT ON INDIAN HILL THERE WAS A TRUCK THAT WAS AT THE INDIAN HILL EXIT PUTTING IT IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE 1 MILES AWAY THERE WAS A CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME AT APPROXIMATELY MILES AWAY. JUST AFTER I CHANGED LANES THE CAR WENT INTO AN EMERGENCY STOP AND THEN STALLED ALMOST CAUSING THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME TO COME CLOSE TO REAR ENDING ME THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE (NHTSA COMPLAINT #11219653) BUT WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. THE SECOND TIME I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE ON FEB 27, 2020 10:00:00 AM
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jul 31, 2020
I DRIVING UPHILL ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. AS I STARTED TO SLOW TO TURN THE SMART BRAKE SUPPORT FLASHED BRAKE ON MY DASH AND IMMEDIATELY ENGAGED THE BRAKES AND STOPPED THE CAR. THE ROAD HAD A VERY SLIGHT CURVE WITH A FEW CARS PARKED. THERE WERE NO OTHER MOVING VEHICLES IN THE AREA. IF A CAR HAD BEEN BEHIND ME IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE SYSTEM HAS GIVEN FALSE WARNINGS A LOT BUT THIS WAS THIS FIRST TIME THAT IT STOPPED THE CAR. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 2 DAYS LATER AND THEY TESTED THE CAR AND SAID IT IS WORKING NORMALLY.
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
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Feb 29, 2020
FAIL SBS AND SISTEM OF DETECTION OF PROXIMITY
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Jan 20, 2020
VEHICLE IS 2 MONTHS OLD AND THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING IS GOING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH NO CARS AROUND. TODAY IT WENT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND LUCKILY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS PAYING ATTENTION. I CALLED THE DEALER TO ASK ABOUT SERVICING THE RECALL AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION. WHEN I TOLD THEM I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THANK GOODNESS YOU DIDN'T AND IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ELSE THEY COULD HELP ME WITH. ZERO OFFERS TO HELP OR CONCERN FOR AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE.
Service brakes, Dec 29, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON US ONE BETWEEN FT. PIERCE AND VERO BEACH, JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 2019. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OR BESIDES ME, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE CARS APPROACHING FROM THE REAR. THE CAR SUDDENLY VIOLENTLY SHOOK AND CAME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. I TRIED TO START IT, AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I COULD SEE CARS COMING UP BEHIND ME AND KNEW I COULD EASILY BE HIT FROM THE REAR. THANKFULLY THEY SAW I WASN'T MOVING, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE TO THE OTHER LANE. AFTER 5 OR 6 ATTEMPTS, I FINALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. I HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THOUGHT PERHAPS I HAD CAUSED THE SITUATION. I DID NOT REPORT IT AT THAT TIME AS I DID NOT CONSIDER IT COULD BE A DEFECT. I NOW KNOW THAT IT IS.
Service brakes, Dec 26, 2019
DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I LEASED A NEW MAZDA 3 ON 12/20/2019. AT THE TIME OF SIGNING ALL DOCUMENTS I WAS PROVIDED WITH A DOCUMENT TO SIGN THAT THE DEALERSHIP WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SELL ME A CAR WITH AN OPEN RECALL. AFTER REGISTERING WITH THE MAZDA APP I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL. IS THIS LEGAL AND WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? THIS SEEMS EXTREMELY DISHONEST. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK AND ADVICE ON WHAT I CAN DO IN THIS SITUATION. THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY STOP WHILE DRIVING DUE TO INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE SMART BRAKING SYSTEM (SBS) AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM. MANY THANKS
Service brakes, Dec 19, 2019
AUTOMATIC BREAK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN AND DOES A HARD BREAK. ALSO THE PERIMETER SENSOR GETS DISABLED NUMEROUS TIME OUT OF BLUE WHILE DRIVING AND STOP FUNCTIONING UNTIL THE CAR RESTARTS. THE BREAK HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INDICATION OR SAME SITUATION. IT JUST HAPPENS ON THE REGULAR ROAD AS WELL AS HIGHWAY. BUT THE HIGHWAY JUST SCARES ME. BUT THERE IS NO WAY I CAN TELL MAZDA WITH A PROOF.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 6, 2019
CAR HAS GIVEN MULTIPLE WARNINGS THAT DRIVER AND SAFETY ASSIST FEATURES ARE DISABLED -- DESPITE NOT BEING ENABLED. CAR ALSO GAVE A CAMERA MALFUNCTION WARNING APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE BEFORE SLAMMING ON BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY AT 35-40MPH AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER;INCIDENT OCCURRED AT CLEAR NIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND. CAR CURRENTLY IN SHOP; NO WORD ON WHAT CAUSED THIS OR WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED.
Steering, Service brakes, Jun 13, 2019
ON JUNE 6, 2019 AT ABOUT 6:45PM WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE TRANSITION FROM THE 241 FWY TO THE 91 FWY I RECEIVED AN ERROR ON MY DASH (ATTACHMENT 1) THREE TIMES WITHIN ABOUT 10 MINS "PUSH BUTTON START MALFUNCTION"" THE CAR DID NOT STOP, OVER HEAT OR MALFUNCTION IN SUCH A WAY TO PREVENT ME FROM DRIVING TO MY DESTINATION, WHICH WAS 15 MILES AWAY ON JUNE 7, 2019 ON MY WAY TO WORK TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE 5 FWY AT ABOUT 10 AM IN THE MORNING WITH THERE BEING NO VEHICLES AROUND THE CAR THE CAR DID AN EMERGENCY BREAK I KNOW THIS FROM THE DASH DISPLAY WHICH SHOWED A BRIGHT RED CIRCLE WITH THE WARNING THAT THE EMERGENCY BREAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THAT WAS CLOSE TO MY WORK LOCATION WITHIN 1 HOUR OF THE EVENT
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.