2018 Mazda Mazda3 problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 include 1 fatality report, 6 crashes and 0 fires across 108 filings.

108
Complaints
4
Recalls
6
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
5
Injuries
79.3
Severity index

Severity index 79.3 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 79.3p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 24 of 122 by severity index among 2018 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 80% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2018 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 30 complaints (27.8%)30 28%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 26 complaints (24.1%)26 24%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 16 complaints (14.8%)16 15%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 15 complaints (13.9%)15 14%EngineEngine: 12 complaints (11.1%)12 11%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 7 complaints (6.5%)7 6%Service BrakesService Brakes: 6 complaints (5.6%)6 6%Power TrainPower Train: 5 complaints (4.6%)5 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3027.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2624.1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER1614.8%
BACK OVER PREVENTION1513.9%
ENGINE1211.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM76.5%
SERVICE BRAKES65.6%
POWER TRAIN54.6%

Complaints filed per year

022432018: 52019: 112020: 32021: 62022: 42023: 152024: 432025: 162026: 5 (partial year)18192021222324432526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20185
201911
20203
20216
20224
202315
202443
202516
2026 (year to date)5
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 5.7x those in 2020 to 2022 (74 against 13).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V27200004/04/2019VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHERMazda 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.
17V74500021/11/2017ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEMMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.
21V87500012/11/2021FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
23V48700014/07/2023BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERAMazda 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.

Other Mazda Mazda3 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 13 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-08-30. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.