KnownCarProblems2018 Mazda Mazda3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3, most often about the electrical (28% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles). It is 12th of 23 Mazda3 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2018 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Electrical
30 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
The rear wiper stopped working during a drive in heavy rain conditions, similarly like it happen to the same vehicle for the front wipers 6 months after I got the vehicle. I tried to schedule an appointment with the dealer but with the pandemic it was not possible. When I went for the actual appointment on march 2021…
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v487000 (back over prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer…
Other or unspecified
26 complaints · 24%I was driving on a very quiet boulevard in niagara falls, ny. I was there on a family trip when all of the sudden we heard multiple very loud noises coming from the top of our car, especially the last one which sounded like an explosion. The sunroof or our 6-month old 2018 Mazda 3 had just exploded! We parked to check…
On 2/14/19 between 2:30 and 3 p.m., my mother (melissa dodson) was involved in a fatal car accident with another vehicle (a 2004 gmc envoy) that resulted in being doa. She was driving a 2018 Mazda Mazda3 sport four dr and traveling westbound on east hanover rd in graham, nc at the time of the accident. According to…
Visibility and wipers
16 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 17,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda 3. While the windshield wipers were activated, the contact noticed a cloudy film on the windshield that obstructed her view. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact replaced the windshield wipers, wiper fluid, and buffed the windshield. The vehicle was taken to a…
The rear wiper stopped working during a drive in heavy rain conditions, similarly like it happen to the same vehicle for the front wipers 6 months after I got the vehicle. I tried to schedule an appointment with the dealer but with the pandemic it was not possible. When I went for the actual appointment on march 2021…
Backup camera
15 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 39,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensing system, rearview system braking.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v487000 (back over prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the…
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v487000 (back over prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that…
Engine
14 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's husband added fuel to the…
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 45 MPH, the vehicle sputtered, hesitated to accelerate, and the check engine warning light illuminated. When the contact firmly depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine made a knocking noise, and the vehicle stalled. Diagnostic…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was…
The contactâs sister owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a…
Driver assistance
7 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: warnings, warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the automatic emergency braking (aeb) warning light illuminated. The contact then slammed on the brakes and pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that when the failure…
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v487000 (back over prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer…
Brakes
6 complaints · 6%My car automatically applies its brakes when it shouldn't be. I was driving at a speed of around 60 MPH following a pickup truck. The truck starts flashing to turn right, I started to brake a little, my speed was reduced to around 40-45 MPH... Just when I was ready to hit the gas pedal again, because the truck has…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed september 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of ct, ma, md, nj, ny, pa and va were mailed august 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before may 1, 2025. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 6. Mazda
Full defect summary
Mazda 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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed july 18, 2022. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321k.
Full defect summary
Mazda 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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began may 7, 2019. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219d.
Full defect summary
Mazda 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.
Engine: exhaust system
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin january 20, 2018. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717k.
Full defect summary
Mazda 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mazda Mazda3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (30 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); other or unspecified (26 complaints); visibility and wipers (16 complaints, typically around 17,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 14, 2023 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Mazda Mazda3?
- It is 12th of 23 Mazda3 model years by number of complaints, with 109 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.