2023 Mazda Mazda3 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2023 Mazda Mazda3 has 12 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 3 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 13 Mazda3 years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

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

12

Per year

3

Recalls

0

Years on the road

4

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (3 of 12), then Powertrain (3) and Engine (2). The most filings arrived in 2023 (7 of 12). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, 1 that reports an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2022 and 2024

The 2022 Mazda3 has 24 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2024 has 12 complaints, 4 per year. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

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 2023 Mazda Mazda3. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (0)

No recalls on file with NHTSA for this model year.

Complaints by component (12 total)

Electrical system
3
Powertrain
3
Engine
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Service brakes
2
Air bags
1
Exterior lighting
1
Steering
1
Structure
1
Tires
1
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Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

1

Death reports

1

Complaints filed per year

72023220241202522026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Transmission failure when driving. Car was towed to dealership and diagnosed. Transmission and torque converter replacement required under factory warranty. Very long lead time for dealer to acquire replacement parts,…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-03-13
  • "On 14th, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on the northbound 55 Freeway near the Katella exit, my vehicle suddenly began to shake violently without any prior warning. In response, I attempted to slow down by…"
    Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes · filed 2026-01-22
  • "The active braking support feature of this vehicle falsely warns me of an imminent collision. It happens pretty often, the system is obviously not quite smart enough. Last week, while accelerating away from a stop light…"
    Forward collision avoidance · filed 2025-01-23
  • "My 2023 Mazda 3 started to have a more terrible and annoying rattle after 3000 miles. The engine will resonate and knock when it reaches a certain speed. The slow speed light throttle acceleration rattles. The most…"
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2024-11-30
  • "The contact owns a 2023 Mazda Mazda3 equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Turanza EL440, Tire Size: 215/45/R18, DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the…"
    Tires · filed 2024-07-01

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2023 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2023 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2023 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2023 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.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

The 2023 Mazda Mazda3 has 12 complaints with NHTSA after 4 years, or 3 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 13 Mazda3 years on this site. NHTSA has no recalls on file for this model year.

What are common problems with a 2023 Mazda Mazda3?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (3 of 12), then Powertrain (3) and Engine (2). The most filings arrived in 2023 (7 of 12). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, 1 that reports an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Is the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2022 Mazda3 has 24 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2024 has 12 complaints, 4 per year. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022. The 2023 has fewer complaints per year than the 2024.

Has the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 been recalled?

NHTSA has no recalls on file for the 2023 Mazda Mazda3.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Mazda Mazda3?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2023 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.