CSR

Mazda · NHTSA safety record

2019 Mazda MAZDA3

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 74 safety complaints about the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 with the US government. Of those, 3 describe a crash, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 15 complaints, 20% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 5,000 miles, the median across the 42 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2019 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

74 complaints on file

74

Complaints

3

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

1

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
SERVICE BRAKES 15 · 20%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15 · 20%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 · 15%
ENGINE 11 · 15%
POWER TRAIN 11 · 15%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 9 · 12%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 8 · 11%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 8 · 11%
AIR BAGS 6 · 8%
STRUCTURE 5 · 7%
SEAT BELTS 3 · 4%
STEERING 3 · 4%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 74.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2020 at 23.

28 21 14 7
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

19V907000 · December 19, 2019

The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
The risk
Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 35,390 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

19V558000 · July 29, 2019

The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing. Note: Vehicles equipped with auto dimming mirrors are not affected by this recall.
The risk
Rearward visibility will be reduced without the rearview mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3919G.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 22,571 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

19V514000 · July 5, 2019

The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.
The risk
Loose head restraints may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3819F.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 9,430 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

19V497000 · June 27, 2019

The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
The risk
An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 262,220 vehicles across all model years covered

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

19V425000 · June 7, 2019

The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.
The risk
A wheel separating from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the front and rear wheel lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3519F.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 25,003 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

19V363000 · May 14, 2019

The defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.
The risk
Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.

Mazda North American Operations · up to 17,016 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · 8,000 miles

CAR HAS GIVEN MULTIPLE WARNINGS THAT DRIVER AND SAFETY ASSIST FEATURES ARE DISABLED -- DESPITE NOT BEING ENABLED. CAR ALSO GAVE A CAMERA MALFUNCTION WARNING APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE BEFORE SLAMMING ON BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY AT 35-40MPH AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER;INCIDENT OCCURRED AT CLEAR NIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND. CAR CURRENTLY IN SHOP; NO WORD ON WHAT CAUSED THIS OR WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint 11278559. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

crash · towed · 2,802 miles

JAN. 23, 2020. 10:45 AM. I WAS ON MY STREET, A NARROW RESIDENTIAL STREET, PREPARING TO BACK IN MY GARAGE. IN ORDER TO DO THAT ON THIS NARROW STREET, I TOUCHED THE LIP OF THE DRIVEWAY ACROSS THE STREET. SPEED WELL UNDER 3 MPH. WHEN I DID SO, MY CAR SUDDENLY SHARPLY ACCELERATED AND AT THE SAME TIME SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACCELERATION AND SWERVE DROVE THE CAR INTO THE TOWNHOUSES ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE. THE DRIVEWAYS ARE VERY SHORT, BARELY A CAR'S LENGTH. AFTER CRASHING, I COULD FEEL THE CAR STILL ACCELERATING. I QUICKLY SWITCHED THE CAR INTO PARK AND THE SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION CONTINUED. IN ORDER TO STOP IN I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF. WHEN THE TOWING COMPANY TURNED THE CAR ON

NHTSA complaint 11309582, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: DYNAMIC BRAKE SUPPORT/BRAKE ASSIST

crash · 7,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE AFTER THE BRAKE ASSIST WAS ENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA complaint 11277532. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 9,500 miles

THESE ISSUES BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE SECOND MONTH I OWNED MY 2019 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK. 1- SUSPENSIONS, THEY'RE VERY ROUGH & HARSH., THEY BOUNCE SO MUCH FOR NO REASON, I DAMAGED ONE TIRE ALREADY WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I476 NORMAL HIGHWAY WHERE I STEPPED ON NORMAL POTHOLE ENDED UP DAMAGING MY TIRE, SUSPENSIONS ARE REALLY DANGERS ON ALL ROADS. 2- "ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL" THIS FEATURE MANY TIMES ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, REAR END SPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS. FOR SOME REASON IT DOESN'T DETECT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HAVE AUTO CRUISE ENABLED, NO RAIN CLEAR WEATHER, THIS BEEN REPORTED MORE THAN 5 TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP & ITS HARD FOR THEM TO TELL WHAT HAPPEN. THEY EVEN HAD SPECIALIST CAME FROM

NHTSA complaint 11325706, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
Driver’s side seat belt would not retract.

NHTSA complaint 11756042. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
The driver-side sun visor has suffered an internal mechanical failure where the internal plastic tension components have cracked under normal use. As a direct result, the sun visor will not stay up and randomly drops down completely unprompted while the vehicle is in motion. This creates an immediate, sudden, and dangerous visibility hazard by blocking my forward view of the road while driving.Mazda has formally recognized this specific engineering defect across 2019–2025 Mazda 3 vehicles in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) MC-11016209-0001, explicitly stating that the internal stay components crack. However, because Mazda has only issued a TSB and not a safety recall, out-of-warranty

NHTSA complaint 11747084, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The airbag system, specifically the curtain airbags and related airbag control components, malfunctioned by deploying spontaneously without any collision or impact. The vehicle and deployed airbags are still available and can be inspected upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The spontaneous deployment of all four curtain airbags created an immediate safety hazard. Airbag deployment can cause injury, disorientation, or loss of control, especially if it occurs unexpectedly. Although the vehicle was stationary at the time, deployment without warning posed a

NHTSA complaint 11711782, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driver side door handle failed. Cannot enter or exit through driver side door. If something were to happen that we need to get out in an emergency situation we cannot exit through the driver side door. No damage occurred. Just stopped working

NHTSA complaint 11701705. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
To whom it may concern, I was on a back road late in the evening not far from home [XXX] and a small deer ran into the road. I needed to brake to avoid hitting the deer. After breaking, a Brake System Malfunction warning message and i-ACTIVESENSE System Malfunction warning illuminated on my dashboard. I brought the car to a Mazda dealership the next morning. The technician determined that the brake fluid level sensor became stuck, requiring replacement of the brake fluid reservoir and the brake fluid level sensor. What failed: The repairs include replacement of the Brake Fluid Reservoir and the Brake Fluid Level Sensor. This is the link to the dealer report [XXX] . No one other than the

NHTSA complaint 11678802, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
The seat belt stopped retracting and no longer works, it was reported directly to the Mazda agency, but the warranty was not valid. The dealer said that the tensioners no longer work and the seat belt needs to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint 11662114. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Mazda MAZDA3

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 8 1 —
2024 12 3 —
2021 52 1 —
2020 32 2 —
2018 108 4 1
2017 83 2 —
2016 104 6 —
2015 130 4 —
2014 138 4 —
2013 117 1 —
2012 226 1 —
2011 132 2 —
2010 686 3 —

Other 2019 Mazda models

CX-5 270 CX-9 53 CX-3 27 MX-5 11

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Mazda on this site — 82 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst