Reliable Auto DB

2013 Mazda Mazda3 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 holds 117 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 8 per year. Mazda3 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 8 complaints per year. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Liftgate.

2012 Mazda Mazda3
Photo by Ethan Llamas, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

117

Per year

8

Recalls

1

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Exterior lighting (36 of 117), then Electrical system (32) and Powertrain (18). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Mazda3 has 226 complaints, 23 per year, and the 2014 has 138 complaints, 10 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Mazda Mazda3. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall structure, body, liftgate 2016-09-06 · NHTSA campaign 16V644000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.
Remedy Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

Complaints by component (117 total)

Exterior lighting
36
Electrical system
32
Powertrain
18
Service brakes
15
Engine
11
Structure
11
Seats
9
Steering
9
Air bags
7
Seat belts
6
Visibility and wipers
3
Electronic stability control (ESC)
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Speed control
2
Wheels
2
Suspension
1
Show 8 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

3

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

5201392014102015192016272017112018112019620208202132022620231202412025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The Brake Pedal consistently malfunctions, even after the replacement of the master cylinder (by independent service center). The master cylinder does not hold pressure due to a faulty ABS control unit (which, when…"
    Service brakes · filed 2025-05-01
  • "There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013…"
    Electrical system, Exterior lighting · filed 2024-02-14
  • "Transmission Control Module malfunction. The AT light came on and the car made a jerking motion and a clunking noise. It lost power and would not shift which is very dangerous in moving traffic. It put me at risk for…"
    Powertrain · filed 2023-11-26
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V644000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted,…"
    Structure · filed 2023-08-24
  • "All my seatbuckels are tearing. I thought it could of been my dog, but I a certain I did not give up my seat or let him drive. My driver side is also tearing. I noticed the buckle catching when securing it, and now it…"
    Seat belts · filed 2023-08-07

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars 4 stars
2013 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Specs and fitment

3rd generation (late US), 2012–2013
Body styles Sedan, Hatchback
Oil SAE 0W-20 (gasoline SKYACTIV-G 2.5; 5W-30 where manual specifies) , 4.5 qt capacity
Tire size 205/55R16, 205/50R17 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 16V644000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly. If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury. Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Mazda Mazda3 Next year 2014 Mazda Mazda3 See every Mazda Mazda3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 holds 117 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 8 per year. Mazda3 years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 8 complaints per year. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Liftgate.

What are common problems with a 2013 Mazda Mazda3?

The complaints owners file most often name Exterior lighting (36 of 117), then Electrical system (32) and Powertrain (18). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Mazda3 has 226 complaints, 23 per year, and the 2014 has 138 complaints, 10 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 been recalled?

The 2013 Mazda Mazda3 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Mazda Mazda3?

Owners have filed 117 complaints about the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 with NHTSA.

What engine oil does a Mazda Mazda3 use?

US Mazda3 manuals specify SAE 0W-20 for SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines unless the manual lists another grade for your engine.

What generation is the 2020 Mazda3?

5th generation / BP (2019-on).

What body styles does the Mazda3 offer?

US Mazda3 generations on this site include sedan and hatchback body styles.