2021 Mazda MAZDA3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
1,700 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 49 complaints (36.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 20.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.2% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
Engine: 18; Unknown Or Other: 7; Electrical System: 6; Air Bags: 4; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Power Train: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 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 (3). 46 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 19 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 6; 2022: 19; 2023: 6; 2024: 10; 2025: 7; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11396149 · 2021-02-14 (February 14, 2021)
PASSENGER SIDE BLIND SPOT WARNING FUNCTIONS SPORADICALLY. IT SOMETIMES DETECTS VEHICLES AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WHILE DRIVING AT THE SAME SPEED.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11396149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11403223 · 2021-03-16 (March 16, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 MAZDA MAZDA3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AT A PARKING LOT, WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE POLICE WAS AT THE LOCATION BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE BUT WAS TOWED AT A TOW LOT. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER MORONG FALMOUTH MAZDA (187 US-1 #1311, FALMOUTH, ME 04105: [phone removed]) AND WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11403223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11407653 · 2021-04-15 (April 15, 2021)
2021 MAZDA 3. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING FAILED SBS SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SMART BRAKE SYSTEM SLAMS ON THE BRAKES UNNECESSARILY, WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT FEATURE COULD NOT BE DISABLED. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11407653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11431973 · 2021-09-07 (September 7, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the passenger front side tire was flat which caused the contact to veer to the shoulder. The contact towed the vehicle to the dealer where the tire was inspected as the technician informed the contact that the tire was on backorder and no replacement tire was available. The vehicle then was towed back to the contact resident however was informed by the towing company that the vehicle abrupted in flames on the flatbed. The fire department was contacted …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,509 miles reported. Look up ODI 11431973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434720 · 2021-09-28 (September 28, 2021)
The error code "B14FO-76 FORWARD SENSING CAMERA DEVIATION - WRONG MOUNTING POSITION" was discovered, and verified, by a Safelite Auto Glass service center when the 2021 Mazda 3 was in for a repair (stone chip) to the windshield on September 21, 2021. There were no warning messages nor lights to alert the driver as to the improper installation/mounting of this device. There has been no known modification to nor obstruction of the FSC -- its condition is now as it was received new from the dealer. Improper mounting ("Wrong Mounting Position") of …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444268 · 2021-12-18 (December 18, 2021)
Instrument panel display shows a warrning message: Air Bag System Malfunction. Have the Vehicle inspected.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446816 · 2022-01-09 (January 9, 2022)
I had two incidents during a short 25 min drive. Incident 1: I was in right side of the road, there were 2 lanes on this side. I was in the far left lane driving at below 30 mph, there was no vehicle directly behind me, and no vehicle directly in front of me. There was no vehicle in the oncoming side of traffic. There was 1 vehicle in the right lane next to me, about 20 feet behind. This vehicle slowed down to turn right into a parking lot. I did not have my foot on the brake at all, the vehicle behind me was in no way veering into my lane or…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448467 · 2022-01-22 (January 22, 2022)
Context: ADAS was not on. Lane keep assist is disabled in system settings entirely as it is dangerous. Blinkers were on, I was pulling out from parallel parking into left turn lane onto a straight road with slight incline. Car is of the Turbo trim on stock tires. Upon finishing pulling out of parallel parking spot and gassing the car, torque vectoring or some underlying collision avoidance may have phantom activated. I felt torque shift to the wrong tires, unsettling the car, and the wheel -- with no human input -- jerked to the left to force …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448467 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V101000 · Tires:Valve
Reported: 2021-02-22 (February 22, 2021)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
Consequence: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.
NHTSA campaign record ↗