Reliable Auto DB

2016 Mazda Mazda3 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 holds 103 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 9 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 6 recalls on file, including Camera, Windshield wiper, and Parking brake.

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

103

Per year

9

Recalls

6

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (22 of 103), then Service brakes (14) and Back-over prevention (12). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Mazda3 has 129 complaints, 15 per year, and the 2017 has 83 complaints, 6 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

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 2016 Mazda Mazda3. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (6)

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 visibility, windshield wiper 2019-04-04 · NHTSA campaign 19V272000
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.
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.
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 2016-09-23 · NHTSA campaign 16V685000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe 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 0216I.
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 gasoline fuel system, storage, tank 2015-10-02 · NHTSA campaign 15V621000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.

Complaints by component (103 total)

Electrical system
22
Service brakes
14
Back-over prevention
12
Powertrain
9
Engine
7
Visibility and wipers
7
Air bags
6
Fuel and propulsion system
6
Parking brake
6
Seats
4
Structure
4
Steering
3
Chest clip, buckle, and harness
2
Seat belts
2
Speed control
2
Suspension
2
Carry handle, shell, and base
1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Equipment
1
Exterior lighting
1
Lane departure
1
Tether and lower anchor
1
Wheels
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

7

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

5201612201710201810201911202011202132022820232220248202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "After speaking with Mazda customer support, the sales department at Germain Mazda of Columbus, and the service department of Mazda Columbus, I have come to learn that in response to recall 1217F XXX17V-393, the…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-09-11
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3.The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated that an abnormal,…"
    Steering · filed 2026-05-12
  • "The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving and while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument cluster screen was peeling,…"
    Electrical system · filed 2026-01-08
  • "The “spidering” on the infotainment screen is spidering making it hard to see when in reverse."
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-08-15
  • "I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my 2016 Mazda 3 manual transmission, which experienced a sudden and complete clutch failure at less 60,000 miles — without any warning lights or diagnostic…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-08-06

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2016 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 2015 Mazda Mazda3 Next year 2017 Mazda Mazda3 See every Mazda Mazda3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 holds 103 complaints after 11 years, a rate of 9 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 6 recalls on file, including Camera, Windshield wiper, and Parking brake.

What are common problems with a 2016 Mazda Mazda3?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (22 of 103), then Service brakes (14) and Back-over prevention (12). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Mazda3 has 129 complaints, 15 per year, and the 2017 has 83 complaints, 6 per year. The 2016 has fewer complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 been recalled?

The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 has 6 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 2016 Mazda Mazda3?

Owners have filed 103 complaints about the 2016 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.