2019 Mazda MAZDA3
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
- 74
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2019
None on file
20% of complaints
Complaints per year
2019: 74 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.
Service brakes
20% · 15 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Car has given multiple warnings that driver and safety assist features are disabled -- despite not being enabled.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-11-06
Power train
16% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and automatic transmission.
Forward collision avoidance
16% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing automatic emergency braking and warnings.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-11-01
Engine
15% · 11 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Cylinder head is leaking oil due to known defect by Mazda. The rocker arm rubs the cylinder and causes the wall the thin and oil to leak through. Oil sprays on exhaust and other moving parts causing a safety concern due to possible oil combustion.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-03
Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak. Confirmed by Mazda Dealership. Vehicle has always had routine maintenance and remote start used to warm engine prior to driving.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-14
Electrical system
15% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle's battery has gone dead on several occasions since replacing the OEM battery. The OEM battery which was approximately 3 years old, also had gone dead, prompting its replacement.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-18
Safety 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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2019-07-09Wheels19V425000 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.
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.
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2019-07-09Electrical system, seat belts19V363000 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.
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.
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2019-08-20Engine, power train19V497000 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.
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.
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2019-08-20Seats19V514000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles.
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.
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2019-09-19Visibility19V558000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors.
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.
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2020-02-14Forward collision avoidance19V907000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2019 Mazda MAZDA3 — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 15 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.
- Forward collision avoidance: 12 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 19V425000 · Wheels
- Recall 19V363000 · Electrical system, seat belts
- Recall 19V497000 · Engine, power train
- Recall 19V514000 · Seats
- Recall 19V558000 · Visibility
- Recall 19V907000 · Forward collision avoidance
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 is rated "better than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2019 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.