Reliable Auto DB

2020 Mazda Mazda3 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 has 32 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 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 2 recalls on file, including Caliper and Automatic emergency braking.

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

32

Per year

6

Recalls

2

Years on the road

7

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Forward collision avoidance (15 of 32), then Electrical system (3) and Steering (3).

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Mazda3 has 74 complaints, 16 per year, and the 2021 has 49 complaints, 10 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

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 2020 Mazda Mazda3. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall hydraulic brakes, foundation components, disc, caliper 2020-06-12 · NHTSA campaign 20V346000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.
Recall forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking 2019-12-19 · NHTSA campaign 19V907000
Summary Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
Remedy Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.

Complaints by component (32 total)

Forward collision avoidance
15
Electrical system
3
Steering
3
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Lane departure
2
Service brakes
2
Suspension
2
Engine
1
Equipment
1
Exterior lighting
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Powertrain
1
Seat belts
1
Structure
1
Tires
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 8 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120201120215202272023220243202532026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Low pressure fuel pump failure with 75,575 miles on odometer. Fuel pump completely seized. Car was parked at a retail location and would not start. Upon troubleshooting, mechanic was able to determine the low pressure…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-02
  • "size 21545ZR18 93Y. replaced these oem tires with these from costco on feb 27 2025. in dec 5 2025 the tire developed a large bubble. miles bought was 27790. current miles 31212. per tire center steal belting was broken…"
    Tires · filed 2026-03-13
  • "My Mazda3 began producing a chirp when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (automatic transmission). The dealer stated that the car needed a new torque converter. At the time the car only 37,000 miles on it, quite low mileage…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-02-19
  • "I pulled into the driveway (at about 5 mph) of my passenger's home, when a very loud, metallic pop occurred somewhere inside my vehicle. I could not discern the problem by visually inspecting the car. Upon returning to…"
    Suspension · filed 2025-11-18
  • "TSB 02-003/24 Car front suspension bolts corroded and making metal on metal sounds during turning and braking"
    Steering, Suspension · filed 2025-11-16

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2020 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2020 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2020 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2020 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 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

5th generation (BP), 2019–present
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 23V718000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 and MAZDA3 vehicles. Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.". A camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Remedy: Dealers will update the view monitor control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6223J.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Mazda Mazda3 Next year 2021 Mazda Mazda3 See every Mazda Mazda3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 has 32 complaints with NHTSA after 7 years, or 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 2 recalls on file, including Caliper and Automatic emergency braking.

What are common problems with a 2020 Mazda Mazda3?

The complaints owners file most often name Forward collision avoidance (15 of 32), then Electrical system (3) and Steering (3).

Is the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Mazda3 has 74 complaints, 16 per year, and the 2021 has 49 complaints, 10 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 been recalled?

The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 has 2 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 2020 Mazda Mazda3?

Owners have filed 32 complaints about the 2020 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.