2023 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 12 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2023 reports, 3 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 1 person was injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
3 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 30, 2024
My 2023 Mazda 3 started to have a more terrible and annoying rattle after 3000 miles. The engine will resonate and knock when it reaches a certain speed. The slow speed light throttle acceleration rattles. The most annoying thing is the multiple rattles inside, dash, door panels, and roof. It is like a can in the summer. What’s more terrible is that in the winter, its internal door panels, windows, and dash make a knocking sound like a screw is loose. I went to multiple Mazda dealers and it was obvious that they could not find and fix the issue. They either said they didn’t hear it or said it was a "normal noise". This is disappointing and unacceptable.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Dec 20, 2023, crash, fire
The contact's daughter had rented a 2023 Mazda Mazda 3. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle veered off to the left side of the highway and side-swiped a cable system; the vehicle then crashed into the end cap of a guardrail. The vehicle then hydroplaned and hit a bridge pillar. The vehicle flipped as the contact's daughter was ejected from the vehicle and the vehicle landed on the roof in the grass next to the guardrail. The cause of the crash was unknown. The vehicle caught fire and was incinerated by the time authorities arrived on the scene. The contact's daughter was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. The guardrail, cable system, and a wooden road post were damaged due to the accident. Due to the extent of the fire, it was unknown if the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the investigators could not determine the exact cause of the crash but believed that it was likely that the contact's daughter fell asleep; the contact contests the investigator's findings. Upon his investigation, the contact discovered that owners of previous year model vehicles had reported that the air bag and seat belt pretensioners had failed to operate in the event of a crash. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.
Other or unspecified, Jun 16, 2023
It is the infotainment system but please, hear me out. The manual states that one is able to change channels by using the controls on the steering wheel. That is not the case. It actually is another feature NOT described in the manual. So now in order to change the channel, one must take their hand off the wheel and fidget with a selector and look at a screen (and also hope they are in the right menu section). This is not how most cars with this capability act. This is something that even the manual doesn't describe. This is a hazard, albeit not spontaneous because it leads to distracted driving. I've been to the dealership twice about the issue. I've contacted Mazda corporate. There are anecdotes of others having the same complaint and how this is a hazard. My complaint to Mazda Corporate and the dealership requests to Mazda Corporate have been met with a "Oh well, it is what it is and we can't help you." sort of reply. -The component at this time can be inspected. -The feature leads to distracted driving. -Yes, two local dealerships have observed the issue and were puzzled as to why it says one thing in the manual about the feature and the system acts a different way. -No inspection by the manufacturer, but I have contacted Mazda USA corporate via chat and email. -No warning lamps or messages because apparently this is how it operates.