The Lemon Index

All cars · Mazda3 · 2016

2016 Mazda3. Advanced data.

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

Lemon Index37100 = average car
Complaints37NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold95,567U.S. model year
Per 100K sold39complaints
Year rank#5 of 19#1 = fewest complaints

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,800 and 62,200 miles. Median 36,800, from 46 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Electrical28,30018,000–44,0007
Brakes26,00010,100–75,5005
Transmission & drivetrain39,90026,000–54,0007
Engine27,8007,100–46,5006

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
Brakes24%
Electrical14%
Parking brake14%
Wipers & visibility11%
Transmission & drivetrain11%

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

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
10471406

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 23V487000 Jul 2023 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.

    Risk. A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed

  • 19V272000 Apr 2019 Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer

    Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.

    Risk. Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.

    Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.

  • 17V393000 Jun 2017 Parking Brake

    Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.

    Risk. If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's

  • 16V685000 Sep 2016 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage

    Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.

    Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0216I.

  • 16V684000 Sep 2016 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

    Defect. Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.

    Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.

  • 15V621000 Oct 2015 Fuel System, Gasoline / Storage / Tank Assembly

    Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.

    Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may con

Manufacturer communications 667

Mazda3 filed 667 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 2016 mazda3: intermittent no crank/no start
  • Squeaking/grinding noise from the rear brake even after the brake pedal is

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
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
20133143104,713Electrical
20143844104,985Electrical
20155659107,884Brakes
2016373795,567Brakes
2017332875,018Body structure
2018362564,638Wipers & visibility
2019965450,741Brakes

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

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