Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 over 6 years — 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 1 recall on file, including Valve.
49
10
1
6
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (18 of 49), then Forward collision avoidance (7) and Electrical system (6). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.
The 2020 Mazda3 has 32 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2022 has 24 complaints, 6 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.
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 2021 Mazda Mazda3. How we count. Data as of .
2
2
1
0
"My rear differential case cracked, anytime the four wheel drive system was engaged the entire drivetrain would lock up. Luckily we were only on side roads so going less than 30 mph if we had been on the highway when…"
"At 31,000 miles the control arm lower ball joints are torn on both lower. They must be replaced. This is a safety hazard. This should not be an issue with low mileage on this car."
"I was driving when all the sudden there was a loud bang sound. The differential housing cracked. The when awd is demanded the rear diff was was locking up instead of engaging. Luckily we were just on city streets and…"
"Spontaneous loss of power while driving on highway. Check engine light came on. Speed limited by car. Continues to vibrate especially at idle from cold start. Code P0304 intermittently popping up."
"During the incident, the vehicle exhibited an uncontrollable malfunction—the steering wheel suddenly jerked sharply to the right while accelerating violently, leaving me unable to steer or brake effectively, the car was…"
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| 2021 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| 2021 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| 2021 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.
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.
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 over 6 years — 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 1 recall on file, including Valve.
The complaints owners file most often name Engine (18 of 49), then Forward collision avoidance (7) and Electrical system (6). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.
The 2020 Mazda3 has 32 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2022 has 24 complaints, 6 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.
The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.
Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 with NHTSA.
US Mazda3 manuals specify SAE 0W-20 for SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines unless the manual lists another grade for your engine.
5th generation / BP (2019-on).
US Mazda3 generations on this site include sedan and hatchback body styles.
