NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Mazda MAZDA3 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 103 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Mazda MAZDA3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 103 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, describing incidents dated May 11, 2016 to September 11, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 22 complaints
Unknown or Other 20 complaints
Service Brakes 14 complaints
Back Over Prevention 12 complaints
Power Train 9 complaints
Engine 7 complaints

Of the 103 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 103 complaints, owners report 5 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11763628 · Filed September 11, 2026
After speaking with Mazda customer support, the sales department at Germain Mazda of Columbus, and the service department of Mazda Columbus, I have come to learn that in response to recall 1217F XXX17V-393, the dealership that performed the recall only performed an inspection with no repair or…
ODI #11737400 · Filed May 12, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3.The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various speeds…
ODI #11709605 · Filed January 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving and while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument cluster screen was peeling, and critical information for the vehicle was not displayed. Additionally, the…

Read all 103 complaints

Rearview Image May Not Display Properly

NHTSA #23V487000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported July 14, 2023 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 236,100 vehicles

Repair completion: 41.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 6023G · Owners notified August 14, 2024

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Windshield Wipers may become Inoperable

NHTSA #19V272000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer · NHTSA notice

Reported April 4, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 187,880 vehicles

Repair completion: 69.99% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 3219D · Owners notified May 7, 2019 · Vehicles built July 20, 2015 – July 18, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Parking Brake Actuators may Corrode

NHTSA #17V393000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported June 22, 2017 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 227,814 vehicles

Repair completion: 72.93% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 1217F · Owners notified December 8, 2017 · Vehicles built January 6, 2014 – September 2, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.

Safety consequence

If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Weld of Fuel Tank Recirculation Pipe may Leak

NHTSA #16V685000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported September 23, 2016 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 3,849 vehicles

Repair completion: 86.57% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 0216I · Owners notified November 18, 2016 · Vehicles built September 24, 2015 – October 16, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0216I.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Possible Fuel Leak from Deformed Fuel Tank

NHTSA #16V684000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported September 22, 2016 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 17,484 vehicles

Repair completion: 79.96% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 0116I · Owners notified November 18, 2016 · Vehicles built January 4, 2014 – September 18, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fuel Shut Off Valve may cause Fuel Leak

NHTSA #15V621000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported October 2, 2015 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 14,411 vehicles

Repair completion: 93.54% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 8615J · Owners notified October 20, 2015 · Vehicles built May 21, 2015 – August 25, 2015 (per NHTSA)

DO NOT DRIVE — this recall carries a "do not drive" advisory. Contact a Mazda dealer immediately.

Defect description

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.

Safety consequence

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

2016 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2016 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Frontal Crash

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Rollover

11% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

103 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3.

Service Brakes

ODI #11763628

Incident: September 11, 2026 · Filed: September 11, 2026

After speaking with Mazda customer support, the sales department at Germain Mazda of Columbus, and the service department of Mazda Columbus, I have come to learn that in response to recall 1217F XXX17V-393, the dealership that performed the recall only performed an inspection with no repair or replacement made to the vehicle. The recall notice does not indicate that this is an option. Please see excerpt below: "Your Mazda dealer will check the parking brake actuator shafts inside the left and right rear brake calipers. If the actuator shaft is found to be rusted, the brake caliper assembly will be replaced with a modified one. If no rust is found on the actuator shaft, the protective boot will be replaced with a modified one. The inspection and repair will be performed at no cost to you." (from [XXX]) From my conversations with the three departments, no work was done for this recall on my vehicle beyond an inspection finding that the recalled component is still working. Additionally, I was not informed of this recall or that no repairs or replacement were made in response to the recall despite it being closed as completed when I purchased the vehicle. Coming out of this previous Winter, my parking brake quickly began to fail and became useless by Spring of this year. I am on the phone with Mazda customer service again now who once again confirmed ONLY an inspection was performed despite the language in the recall notice. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Steering

ODI #11737400

Incident: April 20, 2026 · Filed: May 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3.The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various speeds. The contact also stated that the steering wheel felt loose while driving at high speeds, fearing that he would lose control of the vehicle if he did not firmly grip the steering wheel. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where they acknowledged that the heard the noise coming from the vehicle; however, they could not duplicate or diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

Electrical System

ODI #11709605

Incident: January 8, 2026 · Filed: January 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving and while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument cluster screen was peeling, and critical information for the vehicle was not displayed. Additionally, the infotainment system became intermittently inoperable due to the failure. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact expressed concerns that the inoperable instrument cluster created a hazardous and unsafe condition due to the complete loss of instrument panel functionality. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11680982

Incident: July 19, 2024 · Filed: August 15, 2025

The “spidering” on the infotainment screen is spidering making it hard to see when in reverse.

Power Train

ODI #11678732

Incident: July 19, 2025 · Filed: August 6, 2025

I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my 2016 Mazda 3 manual transmission, which experienced a sudden and complete clutch failure at less 60,000 miles — without any warning lights or diagnostic alerts. I am deeply concerned that: •There was no dashboard warning, even as the clutch system failed •The gear indicator was inaccurate in prior days, which may have been an early sign of failure •There was no protection mechanism to prevent complete drivetrain failure during normal use.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11676724

Incident: July 1, 2025 · Filed: July 28, 2025

The "Infotainment System" is activating itself and cycling through various options when I slow down or stop. It calls random numbers and changes settings on the system. It is distracting and dangerous. This is a known "ghost touch" problem for this model of vehicle, but the Mazda dealer I contacted in Knoxville, TN said it would cost nearly $300 to repair the problem (by replacing the entire system).

Unknown or Other

ODI #11667630

Incident: May 14, 2025 · Filed: June 18, 2025

Mazda supposedly repaired/replaced the backup camera issue under the recall. However, within one day it was doing the same thing again...the screen dims or flickers off when backing up the car. I told Mazda about that and they said I need a new screen, which would not be covered under the recall. This is a safety hazard that they should be required to address.

Seat Belts

ODI #11656620

Incident: April 24, 2025 · Filed: April 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side seat belt became inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt latch failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11641207

Incident: February 29, 2024 · Filed: February 6, 2025

The 2014 Mazda3 I own has a known "Mazda Connect Touch Screen Concern" in August 2019 in which the Mazda Connect touch screen does not accept touch commands in part of the screen. I called Mazda and they said there are not any recalls for this but they did acknowledge this was an issue.

Parking Brake

ODI #11637981

Incident: January 21, 2025 · Filed: January 23, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the parking brake became firm and failed to engage as needed, causing the rear passenger’s side brake pads to not respond as needed after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE). The contact stated that the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the temperature of the brakes and noticed that the brakes were hotter than normal. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the parking brake actuator was rusted on the inside. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 188,900.

Other Mazda MAZDA3 model years

Check your 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 VIN

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