2021 Mazda MAZDA3 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 12, 2026 · Filed: October 13, 2026

While driving to work, the dashboard displayed “Charging system malfunction, pull over.” The driver pulled over safely. The vehicle has electric power steering, so a loss of charging power while driving could reduce steering assist and cause the vehicle to stall in traffic. This happened three days after a Mazda dealer replaced the front passenger-side lower control arm. That part had failed at 111,777 miles, causing clunking under braking and making the car unsafe to drive (previously reported to NHTSA). This is the second safety-related failure on this vehicle in two weeks. The vehicle is again off the road pending dealer diagnosis. Reported to Mazda Customer Experience, case #00503860.

Incident: October 7, 2026 · Filed: October 8, 2026

Vehicle: 2021 Mazda Mazda3 VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: 111,777 Date the problem started: [date you first heard the clunk] Location: [town], [XXX] Crash / fire / injury / death: No Was the vehicle moving? Yes Component: Suspension: Front (Lower Control Arm) Description: The front passenger-side lower control arm on my 2021 Mazda3 failed at 111,777 miles. The car began clunking loudly when braking and while driving. My mechanic inspected the car on a lift, identified the lower control arm as the source, and told me the car was not safe to drive. He suspects a failed or defective part. A bolt hole near the rear control arm mount was also found empty, with rust on the threads. The lower control arm holds the front wheel in place and carries the load under braking and steering. A failure like this could cause loss of steering control. The car has been off the road since the failure. I live in [XXX], where roads are heavily salted in winter. Mazda has issued earlier recalls on other models for corrosion in the front lower control arms that could let the ball joints separate. I’m concerned this may be a similar issue. I reported this to Mazda Customer Experience on October 8, 2026 (case number: [number]). The car is scheduled for diagnosis at Thompson’s, an authorized Mazda dealer in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: April 15, 2025 · Filed: September 28, 2026

Making sharp right turn out of parking lot under hard acceleration, car suddenly made terrible grinding sound that shook the whole car. Continued driving, within another quarter mile the whole car started shaking again with loud noise. Had car towed to Mazda where they discovered that the rear differential had failed. Rear differential replaced under warranty. Noticed faint high pitched sound coming from rear in months leading up to incident. Had differential and transfer case fluid changed less than 1000 miles and 1 month before incident making me wonder if fluid was underfilled/wrong fluid used or the diff was just bad.

Incident: July 30, 2024 · Filed: September 28, 2026

Low engine oil message appeared on dash. Had car towed to Mazda. Had valve stem seals replaced under warranty.

Incident: September 10, 2024 · Filed: September 28, 2026

Car made grinding sound with notable vibration when starting to move after shifting into drive. Felt like brakes weren't releasing. Had car towed to dealership where they diagnosed that the front left brake shim was damaged and making contact with the rotor, had to pay to fix it out of pocket.

Incident: February 2, 2025 · Filed: January 25, 2026

My rear differential case cracked, anytime the four wheel drive system was engaged the entire drivetrain would lock up. Luckily we were only on side roads so going less than 30 mph if we had been on the highway when this happened we could have been in an accident or lost control. The dealer did confirm the problem and it was fixed under an extended warranty. There was no warning just all of a sudden a loud bang and all the wheels locked up. I have a copy of the video inspection done at the dealer if there's anyway to send that. I can get a copy of the repair invoice if needed

Incident: October 25, 2025 · Filed: October 27, 2025

At 31,000 miles the control arm lower ball joints are torn on both lower. They must be replaced. This is a safety hazard. This should not be an issue with low mileage on this car.

Incident: January 31, 2025 · Filed: May 27, 2025

I was driving when all the sudden there was a loud bang sound. The differential housing cracked. The when awd is demanded the rear diff was was locking up instead of engaging. Luckily we were just on city streets and not on the highway as this rear wheel locking up could cause a crash. Mazda wasn't very helpful with the replacement. Luckily I had a aftermarket warranty but it only paid for a used replacement, which is also failing. I have read lots of stories of this rear differential failure across all types of Mazda's from this era and really wish they would do the correct thing and resolve the problem.

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

Spontaneous loss of power while driving on highway. Check engine light came on. Speed limited by car. Continues to vibrate especially at idle from cold start. Code P0304 intermittently popping up.

Incident: February 5, 2025 · Filed: February 28, 2025

During the incident, the vehicle exhibited an uncontrollable malfunction—the steering wheel suddenly jerked sharply to the right while accelerating violently, leaving me unable to steer or brake effectively, the car was looking forward. The car ultimately came to a stop upon colliding with a truck parked diagonally in front of me. After impact, I observed that the front tires remained stuck in a turned-right position, with the steering wheel also locked in that position. This was not an isolated event. Multiple reports from Mazda owners describe similar experiences with their vehicles unexpectedly veering to the right and accelerating without driver input. Given these recurring reports and my own experience, I strongly suspect that a manufacturing defect—whether mechanical, electronic, or software-related—may have contributed to this accident.