The Lemon IndexMazda3.
The best Mazda3 years are 2011, 2013, 2017. Years to avoid: 2008, 2021. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 56, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2004 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2011.
Quick answers.
Is the Mazda3 a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 56; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2011 and the worst is 2008.
What are the best Mazda3 years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2011, 2013, 2017.
What Mazda3 years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2008, 2021.
How many recalls does the Mazda3 have?
58 safety recalls across the 22 model years we track. Most: 2016 (6), 2019 (6), 2009 (4). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Mazda3 problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name steering, engine and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 88 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 59 | service brakes, hydraulic (42%) | 3 | — | 23–27 |
| 2005 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 29 | engine (28%) | 3 | — | 23–27 |
| 2006 | 70 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 46 | engine (20%) | 2 | — | 24–27 |
| 2007 | 58 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 62 | steering (31%) | 3 | — | 24–27 |
| 2008 | 151 | 1.5× the average car's complaints | 164 | steering (54%) | 3 | — | 24–27 |
| 2009 | 89 | 1.1× fewer complaints than average | 69 | steering (35%) | 4 | — | 24–27 |
| 2010 | 107 | about average | 126 | tires (25%) | 3 | — | 24–28 |
| 2011 | 30 | 3.3× fewer complaints than average | 37 | transmission & drivetrain (24%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 23–28 |
| 2012 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 83 | transmission & drivetrain (29%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 23–32 |
| 2013 | 31 | 3.2× fewer complaints than average | 43 | electrical (33%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 23–32 |
| 2014 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 44 | electrical (27%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 30–33 |
| 2015 | 56 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 59 | brakes (27%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 30–33 |
| 2016 | 37 | 2.7× fewer complaints than average | 37 | brakes (24%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 30–33 |
| 2017 | 33 | 3× fewer complaints than average | 28 | body structure (14%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 30–32 |
| 2018 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 25 | wipers & visibility (28%) | 4 | ★★★★★ | 28–32 |
| 2019 | 96 | about average | 54 | brakes (26%) | 6 | ★★★★★ | 27–30 |
| 2020 | 69 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 24 | automatic emergency braking (100%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 27–30 |
| 2021 | 113 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 41 | engine (39%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 26–31 |
| 2022 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 23 | airbags (61%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 26–31 |
| 2023 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | transmission & drivetrain (25%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 26–31 |
| 2024 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | electrical (50%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 26–31 |
| 2025 | – | too few complaints to score | 8 | automatic emergency braking (25%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 26–31 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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