Reliable Auto DB

2014 Mazda Mazda3 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 has 138 complaints with NHTSA after 13 years, or 10 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Mazda3 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Camera, Parking brake, and Tank.

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

138

Per year

10

Recalls

4

Years on the road

13

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (27 of 138), then Service brakes (22) and Fuel and propulsion system (21). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2013 and 2015

The 2013 Mazda3 has 117 complaints, 8 per year, and the 2015 has 129 complaints, 15 per year. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2013. The 2014 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015.

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 2014 Mazda Mazda3. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (4)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2023-07-14 · NHTSA campaign 23V487000
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.
Remedy 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's number for this recall is 6023G.
Recall Parking brake 2017-06-22 · NHTSA campaign 17V393000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.
Recall gasoline fuel system, storage, tank 2016-09-22 · NHTSA campaign 16V684000
Summary Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.
Recall electrical system, alternator 2014-04-03 · NHTSA campaign 14V173000
Summary Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative engine braking system. When driving the affected vehicles in heavy rain or in deep puddles, the alternator belt may slip causing the Power Control module (PCM) to incorrectly assume failure of the charging system.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.

Complaints by component (138 total)

Electrical system
27
Service brakes
22
Fuel and propulsion system
21
Engine
13
Back-over prevention
11
Speed control
9
Parking brake
8
Powertrain
7
Seat belts
5
Air bags
4
Visibility and wipers
4
Electronic stability control (ESC)
3
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Steering
3
Wheels
3
Equipment
2
Suspension
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Exterior lighting
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Seats
1
Tires
1
Visibility
1
Show 16 more Show less
Crash-flagged

10

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

142014102015720161320171220182120196202072021620221120231620249202562026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that when attempting to secure the vehicle, the electric parking brake failed to engage after pulling up the hand lever. The contact related the failure to NHTSA…"
    Parking brake · filed 2026-07-09
  • "The fuel tank leaks fuel at a full tank and smells of gas in the cabin until about 3/4 tank. Car was dripping a large puddle of gas inside of a parking garage. Problem has been reproduced by my mechanic even after…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-06-14
  • "The contact's nephew owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while parked on several occasions, the parking brake failed to engage, and there was no resistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The…"
    Parking brake · filed 2026-06-12
  • "The rear backup sensors no longer work and did not give any indication they stopped working. They do not detect cars driving up from behind when driving or switching lanes or objects or people behind the car anymore…"
    Back-over prevention · filed 2026-03-25
  • "Airbag warning symbol on dashboard flashes with or without passenger seated in front seat."
    Air bags, Seat belts, Unknown or other · filed 2026-02-27

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2014 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2014 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 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

4th generation (BM/BN), 2014–2018
Body styles Sedan, Hatchback
Oil SAE 0W-20 (gasoline SKYACTIV-G 2.5; 5W-30 where manual specifies) , 4.8 qt capacity
Tire size 215/45R18, 205/60R16 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 19V272000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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. Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash. Remedy: 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.

Compare

Previous year 2013 Mazda Mazda3 Next year 2015 Mazda Mazda3 See every Mazda Mazda3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 has 138 complaints with NHTSA after 13 years, or 10 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Mazda3 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 7. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Camera, Parking brake, and Tank.

What are common problems with a 2014 Mazda Mazda3?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (27 of 138), then Service brakes (22) and Fuel and propulsion system (21). Those filings include 10 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Mazda3 has 117 complaints, 8 per year, and the 2015 has 129 complaints, 15 per year. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2013. The 2014 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015.

Has the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 been recalled?

The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2014 Mazda Mazda3?

Owners have filed 138 complaints about the 2014 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.