2019 Mazda Mazda3 problems and recalls

Owners have filed 74 complaints on the 2019 Mazda Mazda3, and NHTSA has issued 6 recalls. The most cited component is the Unknown Or Other (15 complaints).

74
Complaints
6
Recalls
3
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
1
Injuries
46.5
Severity index

Severity index 46.5 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 46.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 77 of 123 by severity index among 2019 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 37% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2019 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 15 complaints (20.3%)15 20%Service BrakesService Brakes: 15 complaints (20.3%)15 20%EngineEngine: 11 complaints (14.9%)11 15%Power TrainPower Train: 11 complaints (14.9%)11 15%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 11 complaints (14.9%)11 15%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 9 complaints (12.2%)9 12%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 8 complaints (10.8%)8 11%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 8 complaints (10.8%)8 11%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1520.3%
SERVICE BRAKES1520.3%
ENGINE1114.9%
POWER TRAIN1114.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1114.9%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE912.2%
VISIBILITY/WIPER810.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM810.8%

Complaints filed per year

012232019: 182020: 232021: 62022: 72023: 52024: 82025: 42026: 3 (partial year)192023212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201918
202023
20216
20227
20235
20248
20254
2026 (year to date)3
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (17 against 36).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V90700019/12/2019FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKINGMazda 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.
19V49700027/06/2019ENGINEMazda 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.
19V51400005/07/2019SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINTMazda 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 pla
19V55800029/07/2019VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REARMazda 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 eq
19V36300014/05/2019ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELMazda 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 indicator
19V42500007/06/2019WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDSMazda 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.

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 2026-08-13. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.