Reliable Auto DB

2018 Mazda Mazda3 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 over 9 years — 6 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Mazda3 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 9. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Camera, Fuel pump, and Windshield wiper.

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

108

Per year

6

Recalls

4

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (30 of 108), then Visibility and wipers (16) and Back-over prevention (15). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 Mazda3 has 83 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2019 has 74 complaints, 16 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019.

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 2018 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 Fuel pump 2021-11-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V875000
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.
Remedy 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.
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 engine and cooling, exhaust system 2017-11-21 · NHTSA campaign 17V745000
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.
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (108 total)

Electrical system
30
Visibility and wipers
16
Back-over prevention
15
Engine
12
Fuel and propulsion system
7
Service brakes
6
Forward collision avoidance
5
Powertrain
5
Lane departure
4
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Speed control
2
Steering
2
Structure
2
Wheels
2
Engine and engine cooling
1
Seat belts
1
Seats
1
Show 9 more Show less
Crash-flagged

6

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

2

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

5201811201932020620214202215202343202416202552026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The sunroof spontaneously shattered while I was driving. It sounded like a small explosion. I am positive that no object struck the vehicle."
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-26
  • "The contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that the windshield wipers had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, Tire-Rama, where the…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-06-05
  • "While I was driving on the highway, I went to use my front wipers and there was no response when trying to active them. The rear wiper, front and rear washer fluid sprayers all worked. No warning lights or other signs…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-03-24
  • "The center dashboard information screen developed "spider cracks" and got opaque in the corners of the screen. The screen would change functions / jump around commands without being touched while driving ( from NAV to…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2026-02-02
  • "The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a strong fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle and inside the vehicle. The contact stated…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2026-01-23

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2018 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 2017 Mazda Mazda3 Next year 2019 Mazda Mazda3 See every Mazda Mazda3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

Owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 over 9 years — 6 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Mazda3 years here — under the median of the other years, which is 9. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Camera, Fuel pump, and Windshield wiper.

What are common problems with a 2018 Mazda Mazda3?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (30 of 108), then Visibility and wipers (16) and Back-over prevention (15). Those filings include 6 that report a crash, 2 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 Mazda3 has 83 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2019 has 74 complaints, 16 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 been recalled?

The 2018 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 2018 Mazda Mazda3?

Owners have filed 108 complaints about the 2018 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.