2021 Mazda Mazda3 problems and recalls

Owners have filed 49 complaints on the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, and NHTSA has issued 1 recall. The most cited component is the Engine (18 complaints).

49
Complaints
1
Recalls
2
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
1
Injuries
59.7
Severity index

Severity index 59.7 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 59.7p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 40 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 57% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 18 complaints (36.7%)18 37%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 7 complaints (14.3%)7 14%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 7 complaints (14.3%)7 14%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 6 complaints (12.2%)6 12%Service BrakesService Brakes: 4 complaints (8.2%)4 8%Air BagsAir Bags: 4 complaints (8.2%)4 8%Power TrainPower Train: 3 complaints (6.1%)3 6%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 3 complaints (6.1%)3 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE1836.7%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE714.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER714.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM612.2%
SERVICE BRAKES48.2%
AIR BAGS48.2%
POWER TRAIN36.1%
LANE DEPARTURE36.1%

Complaints filed per year

010192021: 62022: 192023: 62024: 102025: 72026: 1 (partial year)21221923242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20216
202219
20236
202410
20257
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2021 to 2022 (23 against 25).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V10100022/02/2021TIRES:VALVEMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.

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.