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Mazda / Mazda3 / 2018

2018 Mazda Mazda3 problems

Owners have filed 139 complaints about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 21.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of visibility/wiper at 11.5%. A further 18.0% were filed without a specific system named.

Complaints139
Crashes9
Fires0
Injuries7
Deaths2

What owners report breaking

Electrical system 21.6% · 30
Unknown or other 18.0% · 25
Visibility/wiper 11.5% · 16
Back over prevention 10.8% · 15
Engine 8.6% · 12
Fuel/propulsion system 5.0% · 7
Service brakes 4.3% · 6
Power train 3.6% · 5
Severity

Of those complaints, 9 describe a crash, 7 report an injury and 2 report a death.

Reading the numbers

Across the 16 model years of the Mazda Mazda3 in this data, 2018 sits 12th by complaint volume. 2010 draws the most.

Filings are rising — 82 in the last three years against 31 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 22,092 miles.

In owners' own words

Mazda issued a recall for backup camera failures on specific vehicles over 1 year ago on July 14 2023 (Mazda Recall 6023G, NHTSA #23V-487). According to Mazda dealerships I contacted, parts are still not available. Drivers impacted have been waiting for repair components related to this safety recall for over a year. Simply submitting this as a complaint about an ongoing recall resolution. Electrical system
The collision warning light and lane assistance light come on frequently. It used to just be when the weather was under 40 degrees and the car was cold. However, it now happens all the time. It seems to go on and off for no reason. Additionally, the infotainment system keeps switching radio stations or ghosting without anyone touching it. It also drops Bluetooth connectivity constantly. Electrical system
The infotainment system randomly mutes and unmutes Bluetooth calls; it switches radio stations, skips, and repeats on Spotify and through the settings. It's like the daily turns itself, even though no one touches it. It's startling to have it happen while you're driving, and suddenly, the display starts doing all sorts of crazy changes on its own. 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 2016 137 complaints · 16.1% electrical system 2017 105 complaints · 19.0% electrical system 2019 118 complaints · 12.7% service brakes

Compare all 16 model years →