The Lemon Index

All cars · Mazda3 · 2013

2013 Mazda3. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index31100 = average car
Complaints43NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold104,713U.S. model year
Per 100K sold41complaints
Year rank#2 of 19#1 = fewest complaints

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 27,200 and 65,000 miles. Median 40,700, from 80 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Lights45,50030,000–74,20030
Electrical49,00028,000–73,00023
Transmission & drivetrain28,5004,400–51,80012
Brakes49,50033,500–58,80010
Engine16,0005,100–53,0006

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical33%
Lights26%
Transmission & drivetrain16%
Engine16%
Brakes14%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
11772303

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 16V644000 Sep 2016 Structure / Body / Hatchback/Liftgate

    Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected vehicles, the lift gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly.

    Risk. If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.

    Remedy. Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 504

Mazda3 filed 504 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • The new skyactiv-drive fw6a-el at uses automatic transmission fluid (atf) type: fz
  • When dealing with customer complaints of excessive condensation and/or water within the…
  • Squeak noise from the engine compartment when the vehicle starts moving and/or

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mazda Mazda2 5 HB FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆★★★★☆
Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★☆☆★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2010107126106,353Tires
20113037102,417Transmission & drivetrain
20126283123,361Transmission & drivetrain
20133143104,713Electrical
20143844104,985Electrical
20155659107,884Brakes
2016373795,567Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data