2023 Mazda MAZDA3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
2,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 25.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Engine: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2023: 7; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11513226 · 2023-03-22 (March 22, 2023)
On three occasions thus far when the vehicle was started and placed in drive the transmission slipped terribly, the engine rpms would race when pressing the accelerator and the vehicle would move at no more than a few MPH. The problem is intermittent but can be inspected. The problem has occurred on public roads when stopped at a light or stop sign and I was unable to move forward again after stopping. The problem was reproduced by the dealer. The dealer had the vehicle for 29 days for repair attempts and returned it to me one day before my…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11513226 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11514104 · 2023-03-27 (March 27, 2023)
Cars lurches/jerks at low speeds when shifting 1-2 gears and sometimes rpm bounces up and down when downshifting.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11514104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11522759 · 2023-05-18 (May 18, 2023)
Automatic emergency braking suddenly engaged while driving on the highway. The car decelerated abruptly to a complete stop, causing the driver behind to rear-end me. There were no vehicles or obstacles in front of the car when the brakes engaged - the closest car was at least 100 feet in front of me. This collision was clearly the result of a faulty automatic emergency braking system. I do not feel safe driving the car knowing this malfunction could happen again, especially at highway speeds. Sudden unexplained braking presents a huge safety ha…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11522759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11638015 · 2025-01-23 (January 23, 2025)
The active braking support feature of this vehicle falsely warns me of an imminent collision. It happens pretty often, the system is obviously not quite smart enough. Last week, while accelerating away from a stop light in moderately heavy traffic, the active braking system APPLIED THE BRAKES in a panic manner, causing the vehicle to almost come to a complete stop, and I missed being rear-ended by the car behind me by inches. There appears to be no method to permanently deactivate this "safety" feature. I can turn it off through a series of men…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11638015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527457 · 2023-06-16 (June 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, a…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527457 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712753 · 2026-01-22 (January 22, 2026)
On 14th, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on the northbound 55 Freeway near the Katella exit, my vehicle suddenly began to shake violently without any prior warning. In response, I attempted to slow down by applying the brakes; however, the speedometer rapidly increased even as I maintained firm pressure on the brake pedal. Immediately afterward, the vehicle pulled sharply to the left, causing a complete loss of steering control and resulting in a collision with the center median barrier. Despite the force of the impact, the airbag…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11545514 · 2023-09-19 (September 19, 2023)
I was driving on the highway and decided to switch int the left lane so I sped up and heard a big bang and what sounded like my bumper being dragged against the ground. I see on my dashboard that there’s an electrical and engine malfunction so I pullover and pop the hood. A bunch of smoke comes out and i see a little fire so me and my friends run and call the police. The police and firefighters arrived just as the fire was getting large and it had engulfed the front right side of my car. If the notification that there was a malfunction didn’t c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11545514 at NHTSA ↗