2016 Mazda MAZDA3
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2016
None on file
21% of complaints
Complaints per year
2016: 104 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 145 |
| 2005 | 97 |
| 2006 | 166 |
| 2007 | 222 |
| 2008 | 303 |
| 2009 | 115 |
| 2010 | 686 |
| 2011 | 132 |
| 2012 | 226 |
| 2013 | 117 |
| 2014 | 138 |
| 2015 | 130 |
| 2016 | 104 |
| 2017 | 84 |
| 2018 | 109 |
| 2019 | 74 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
21% · 22 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Car began to smoke. Roof caught fire at driver's visor while occupied with 2 people. Both able to exit safely. Neighbor put out with fire extinguisher. Inspected by insurance adjuster - total loss. Dealership notified.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-13
Also filed under Exterior lighting
Service brakes
13% · 14 reportsShow complaint excerpts
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...
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-11
Back over prevention
13% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing warnings and camera.
Power train
9% · 9 reportsVisibility/wiper
7% · 7 reportsSafety timeline
6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2015-10-20Fuel system, gasoline15V621000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015.
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.
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2016-11-18Fuel system, gasoline16V684000 Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015.
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.
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2016-11-18Fuel system, gasoline16V685000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015.
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.
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2017-12-08Parking brake17V393000 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.
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.
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2019-05-07Visibility19V272000 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.
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.
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2024-08-14Back over prevention23V487000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2016 Mazda MAZDA3 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 22 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Back over prevention: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 15V621000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 16V684000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 16V685000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 17V393000 · Parking brake
- Recall 19V272000 · Visibility
- Recall 23V487000 · Back over prevention
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.