2018 Mazda MAZDA3: complaints, problems and recalls

HEADRESTS TIP TOO FAR FORWARD. THEY CAUSE GREAT PAIN TO THE NECK, SHOULDERS AND BACK. PEOPLE HAVE RESULTED IN REMOVING THE HEADRESTS ALTOGETHER. IF THE VEHICLE CAUSES A PERSON PAIN, THEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE.

Owner-reported narrative. 74 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093549 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING ON A VERY QUIET BOULEVARD IN NIAGARA FALLS, NY. I WAS THERE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE HEARD MULTIPLE VERY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE TOP OF OUR CAR, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE WHICH SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION. THE SUNROOF OR OUR 6-MONTH OLD 2018 MAZDA 3 HAD JUST EXPLODED! WE PARKED TO CHECK WHETHER AN OBJECT HAD FALLEN INTO THE CAR BUT COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING, THANKFULLY THE INSIDE SUNROOF BLIND WAS SHUT BECAUSE MANY OF US COULD HAVE GOTTEN INJURED FROM GLASS PIECES FLYING EVERYWHERE INSIDE THE CAR OTHERWISE. NOW…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11093764 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN I LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR IT STILL MAINTAINS THE SPEED IT WAS GOING BEFORE I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT'S HOW ITS DESIGN. HE EVEN TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND SAID SEE IT STILL KEEPS THE SPEED I SAID ITS NOT CRUISE CONTROL. I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MAZDAUSA. MAZDAUSA IGNORES ME. I JUST NEED TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. WHEN I GO TO PASS IT STAYS FOR A WHILE AT THE SPEED I HIT BEFORE I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR.

Owner-reported narrative. 34 miles reported. Look up ODI 11111681 at NHTSA ↗

PLEASE HELP ME I HAD PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM OURISMAN MAZDA IN LAUREL MD. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT I HAD AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT AS LONG AS THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON ITS HOW IT WAS DESIGN. WELL IT KEEPS THE SAME SPEED AND RPM WHEN YOU LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I GUESS YOUR AGENCY HAS CONTACTED MAZDAUSA FROM MY LAST EMAIL. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD PURCHASED A 2016 AND ALL ABOUT THE WARRANTY. I HAD PURCHASED A 2018 MAZDA 3 SPORT SEDAN. VIN : (XXXX). I HAD BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT WORKED AT A DEALER THAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 34 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114662 at NHTSA ↗

ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, 2018, I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE STATE, DURING A ROAD TRIP ON MY WAY FROM CANNON BEACH TO PORTLAND IN THE STATE OF OREGON AROUND 9PM, I WAS DRIVING MY 2018 MAZDA 3 ON NORTH OF HIGHWAY I-5 WHEN RAIN BEGAN DURING RUSH TRAFFIC. I HAD THE AUTOMATIC FRONT WIPERS ON AND THEY BEGAN PERFORMING THEIR FUNCTION FOR ABOUT 3 MINUTES WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY WENT OFF. RAIN GOT HEAVIER AND EVEN AFTER TRYING TO ACTUATE THE WIPER LEVER TO HIGH SPEED, THE FRONT WIPERS FAILED TO START WORKING AGAIN. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A THREE-WAY ROAD A…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,580 miles reported. Look up ODI 11131123 at NHTSA ↗

ON 1/25/2019 IN THE MORNING I WENT OUTSIDE TO TAKE MY DOG OUT AND NOTICED THAT THE SUNROOF ON MY 2018 MAZDA 3 WAS CRACKED AND HAD A FAIRLY LARGE HOLE IN IT. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED ON MY STREET OUTSIDE MY HOME OVER NIGHT. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN FROM SOMEONE TRYING TO BREAK INTO MY CAR. HOWEVER, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THAT THE GLASS WAS ACTUALLY BUBBLED UP AND AWAY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND NOT INWARDS. BASED ON THIS I WAS ABLE TO RULE OUT SOMEONE STRIKING THE GLASS WITH FORCE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172322 at NHTSA ↗

THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN BY MY WIFE IN THE RIGHT LANE ON 3 LANE WIDE I-95 SOUTH IN CONNECTICUT AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS, APPX 55-60 MPH. ACCORDING TO HER, THE CAR LURCHED LEFT AT ALMOST 90 DEGREES AND IT WAS AS IF SHE HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING AND THE WHEEL WAS NOT TURNING LIKE NORMAL POWER STEERING TURNS THE WHEEL. SHE CROSSED OVER ALL THREE LANES, AND IT CRASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER SO THAT THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE WAS DAMAGED FROM FRONT TO BACK. SHE SAID IT WAS AS IF SHE HAD NO STEERING CONTROL AT ALL. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS NOT INJURED…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11181686 at NHTSA ↗

COMING OFF THE BQE IN NYC, ON A SHARP TURN EXIT RAMP LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT INTO THE BARRIER CAUSING ALL THE SIDE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. LUCKY IT WAS AT A LOW SPEED SO NOBODY WAS HURT AND VERY MINOR BODY DAMAGE CAUSED. I HAD MY SON IN THE CAR, THE AIRBAG SAVED HIM FROM HITTING HIS HEAD INTO THE WINDOW. THE TOWTRUCK DRIVER SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE STEERING FAILED BECAUSE THE STEERING COLOM DETACHED.

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11186935 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-11-21 (November 21, 2017)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.

Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.

Reported: 2019-04-04 (April 4, 2019)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.

Consequence: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.

Reported: 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Reported: 2023-07-14 (July 14, 2023)

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.