Mazda MAZDA3 — years to avoid
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.
2 model years to avoid, 3 to watch and 4 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.
Avoid2 years
Caution3 years
Best bets4 years
Complaint history
- Avoid
- Caution
- Recommended
- Not enough data
Every year, ranked
Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.
| Year | Ranking | Complaints | Compared with a typical year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | ○ Not enough data | 1 | Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2025 | ○ Not enough data | 8 | Only 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2024 | ○ Not enough data | 12 | Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2023 | ○ Not enough data | 12 | Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2022 | ○ Not enough data | 24 | Only 24 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. |
| 2021 | ▲ Recommended | 52 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2020 | ▲ Recommended | 32 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2019 | ▲ Recommended | 74 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2018 | ● Recommended | 108 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2017 | ▲ Recommended | 83 | This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2016 | ● Recommended | 104 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2015 | ● Recommended | 130 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2014 | ● Recommended | 138 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2013 | ● Recommended | 117 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2012 | ◆ Caution | 226 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2011 | ● Recommended | 132 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2010 | ■ Avoid | 686 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2009 | ● Recommended | 115 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2008 | ■ Avoid | 303 | This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year. |
| 2007 | ◆ Caution | 222 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2006 | ◆ Caution | 166 | This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year. |
| 2005 | ● Recommended | 97 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
| 2004 | ● Recommended | 145 | This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year. |
How the rankings work
Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.
- ▲ Recommended
At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.
- ● Recommended
Within 30% of the model’s typical year.
- ◆ Caution
30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.
- ■ Avoid
More than double the complaints of the typical year.
- ○ Not enough data
Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.
Recalls
30
recalls on file across every Mazda MAZDA3 model year.
Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.