Mazda / Mazda3 / 2016

2016 Mazda Mazda3 problems

Owners have filed 137 complaints about the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 16.1% of them — the clear leader, ahead of back over prevention at 9.5%. A further 15.3% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints137

Crashes12

Fires2

Injuries6

Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Electrical system 16.1% · 22

Unknown or other 15.3% · 21

Back over prevention 9.5% · 13

Service brakes 9.5% · 13

Power train 6.6% · 9

Visibility/wiper 5.1% · 7

Engine 5.1% · 7

Fuel/propulsion system 4.4% · 6

Severity

Of those complaints, 12 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Across the 16 model years of the Mazda Mazda3 in this data, 2016 sits 13th by complaint volume. 2010 draws the most.

Filings are rising — 42 in the last three years against 29 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 36,112 miles.

In owners' own words

When I checked for recall information 2 recalls were listed under my car's vin #: Recall #1: 3219D with Closed status. Recall #2: 6023G is listed as Active. But, when I tried to schedule a repair for the active recall, the manufacturing website ONLY listed the "closed" recall (3219D) was listed as available for repair, which is bizarre. Please see the attached screenshot of the website. Thanks. Electrical system

A sensor (yellow/orange color) appears on the dashboard intermittently. The settings in the car say "battery mgt. System malfunction". At the times when this error is not on the dashboard, there is no message that anything is wrong. My car only has 23k miles. The dealer will not do a sensor check because it is just over 3 years old. Electrical system · reported at 20,000 miles

Car began to smoke. Roof caught fire at driver's visor while occupied with 2 people. Both able to exit safely. Neighbor put out with fire extinguisher. Inspected by insurance adjuster - total loss. Dealership notified. No warning lamps or messages. Electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Mazda Mazda3 years

2013 176 complaints · 20.5% exterior lighting 2014 181 complaints · 14.9% electrical system 2015 154 complaints · 16.9% service brakes 2017 105 complaints · 19.0% electrical system 2018 139 complaints · 21.6% electrical system 2019 118 complaints · 12.7% service brakes

Compare all 16 model years →