The Lemon Index

All cars · Mazda3

2024 Mazda3.

The 2024 Mazda3 has too few complaints to score: 12 in its first 3 years. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 26 to 31 mpg combined. The best Mazda3 year is 2011.

Early read

Not enough data. Only 12 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.

Best year 2011 · Worst year 2008

Mazda3
Photo shows a 2015 Mazda3. MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Owner complaints12first 3 years
Fuel economy26–31 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

How serious. Out of 12 owner complaints, owners reported:

2crashes
1injuries
0fires
0tows
Early read. The 2024 Mazda3 hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2024 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

electrical50%
automatic emergency braking25%
lane assist17%
body structure17%
wipers & visibility8%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Mazda3 year →

Recalls 3

  • airbags 2025

    The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.

  • lane assist 2024

    A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning.

  • back over prevention 2023

    Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Mazda3 told dealers about

Mazda3 sent dealers 255 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s)…
  • Key Transmitter Power Saving Function: When the key transmitter Power Saving Function is turned
  • This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
NHTSA front crash test of the 2024 Mazda3
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Fuel cost and engines

About $2050–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.

Quick answers

Is the 2024 Mazda3 reliable?

There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 12 complaints in its first 3 years.

What are the most common 2024 Mazda3 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (50%), automatic emergency braking (25%) and lane assist (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2024 Mazda3 have?

3 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2024 Mazda3 get?

26 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2024 Mazda3 safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

Does the 2024 Mazda3 have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2024 Mazda3 cost in fuel a year?

About $2050 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2024 Mazda3 have?

2.5L 4-cyl.

What Mazda3 year is better than the 2024?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2013 and 2017.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

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