2016 Mazda MAZDA3

The defect

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.

The risk

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

The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 236,100 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

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.

The risk

Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.

The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 187,880 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

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.

The risk

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.

The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 227,814 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

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.

The risk

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

The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 3,849 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

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.

The risk

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

The 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.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 17,484 vehicles across all model years covered

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11763628, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

117,000 miles

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11737400, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

142,000 miles

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 …

NHTSA complaint 11709605, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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

NHTSA complaint 11680982. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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.

NHTSA complaint 11678732. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

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).

NHTSA complaint 11676724. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.