2020 Mazda Mazda3 problems and recalls

47% of owner complaints on the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 related to the Forward Collision Avoidance (15 of 32).

32
Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
46.2
Severity index

Severity index 46.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 46.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 15 complaints (46.9%)15 47%SteeringSteering: 3 complaints (9.4%)3 9%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 3 complaints (9.4%)3 9%Service BrakesService Brakes: 3 complaints (9.4%)3 9%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 3 complaints (9.4%)3 9%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%SuspensionSuspension: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1546.9%
STEERING39.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM39.4%
SERVICE BRAKES39.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER39.4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM26.2%
SUSPENSION26.2%
LANE DEPARTURE26.2%

Complaints filed per year

06112020: 12021: 112022: 52023: 72024: 22025: 32026: 3 (partial year)2021112223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20201
202111
20225
20237
20242
20253
2026 (year to date)3
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (12 against 17).

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.
20V34600012/06/2020SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.

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 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.