Mazda Mazda3 Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Mazda3 model years 2007-2012 rank worst, led by 2010 with a complaint index of 100 and 686 complaints, mostly steering, structure, and airbag issues. 2020-2025 rank Best with complaint indexes at or near zero, so recent Mazda3s show far fewer reported problems.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Best 2020Best 2022Best 2023Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,837
- Recall campaigns
- 28
- Crashes reported
- 201
- Fires reported
- 29
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Mazda3 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mazda Mazda3 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 40 | 97 | 16 | 3 | 2 | Airbags | 25.5 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 70 | 166 | 21 | 3 | 1 | Engine | 25.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 90 | 222 | 28 | 3 | 2 | Steering | 25 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 95 | 303 | 29 | 1 | 2 | Steering | 25.5 | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 75 | 115 | 11 | 1 | 3 | Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 25 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 100 | 686 | 18 | 5 | 3 | Structure & Body | 26 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 80 | 132 | 12 | 2 | 2 | Structure & Body | 26 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Avoid | 85 | 226 | 9 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 26 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 45 | 117 | 7 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System | 26 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 60 | 138 | 10 | 1 | 4 | Brakes | 32 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 65 | 130 | 8 | 2 | 4 ! | Brakes | 32 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 50 | 104 | 7 | 1 | 6 ! | Electrical System | 32 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Good | 25 | 83 | 6 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 30.5 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 55 | 108 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 30.5 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 30 | 74 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2020 | Best | 0 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | — | 5★ |
| 2021 | Good | 35 | 49 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Engine | — | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 10 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | — | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 20 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 0 | Electrical System | — | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 5 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | — | 5★ |
| 2025 | Best | 15 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | — | — |
Mazda3 years to avoid: what went wrong
2010 Mazda Mazda3 Index 100 · 686 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2010 Mazda3 is the worst year in the lineup, with 686 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Structure and body problems make up 40% of complaints, including seat lifter and liftgate support failures, with a median failure mileage near 55,790-59,000 miles depending on component. Owners also reported engine fires and electrical failures affecting starting and braking. Three recalls apply, covering seat lifters, liftgate supports, and an engine wiring harness issue.
2010 structure & body problems →2010 visibility & wipers problems →2010 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2008 Mazda Mazda3 Index 95 · 303 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2008 Mazda3 carries a complaint index of 95, the second-worst year. Steering problems account for 39% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 34,000 miles, and suspension issues add another 22%. Owners also reported parking brake failures leading to rollaway crashes. Two recalls cover this year: a wiper motor ground harness fix and the shared power steering pump/line replacement recall.
2008 steering problems →2008 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2008 engine problems →
2007 Mazda Mazda3 Index 90 · 222 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2007 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 90, the third-worst of any year. Steering complaints make up 40% of issues, with owners reporting sudden loss of power steering assist near a median of 81,000 miles. Airbag failures during crashes were also common. NHTSA recorded 28 crashes and 3 fires for this year. Two recalls apply, including a steering pump/line replacement covering 2007-2009 models and an airbag emblem fragment issue on 2004-2007 models.
2007 steering problems →2007 engine problems →2007 airbags problems →
2012 Mazda Mazda3 Index 85 · 226 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2012 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 85. Electrical, engine, and transmission problems each account for roughly 18-19% of complaints, with engine-related failures reported near a median of 17,124 miles. Owners described sudden unintended acceleration during low-speed parking maneuvers. One recall covers a liftgate support defect shared with 2010-2013 models.
2012 electrical system problems →2012 engine problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →
2011 Mazda Mazda3 Index 80 · 132 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2011 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 80. Structure and body complaints lead at 25%, tied to the same seat lifter and liftgate support defects covered by two recalls, with a median failure mileage around 70,000 miles. Airbag non-deployment during crashes was reported in 22% of complaints. Electrical system issues, including a reported fire near the gear shift area, were also noted.
2011 structure & body problems →2011 airbags problems →2011 electrical system problems →
2009 Mazda Mazda3 Index 75 · 115 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2009 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 75. Suspension and steering issues dominate, together making up 65% of complaints, with steering failures reported near a median of 33,237 miles. Three recalls apply, including one for a stability control defect and the shared power steering and wiper harness recalls. Owners described parking brake failures and power steering loss during turns.
2009 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2009 steering problems →
Most common Mazda Mazda3 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System460 (16%)
- Structure & Body448 (16%)
- Other392 (14%)
- Steering373 (13%)
- Engine345 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires313 (11%)
- Brakes297 (10%)
- Airbags234 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain224 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers201 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Mazda3 years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2007 through 2012 as the years to avoid, with 2010 the worst at a complaint index of 100 and 686 complaints, mostly tied to structure, steering, and airbag issues.
- What are the best Mazda3 years?
- 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 are rated Best, with complaint indexes ranging from 0 to 15, far below the worst years.
- What is the most common Mazda3 problem overall?
- Across all 21 model years, Electrical System issues are the top category at 460 complaints (16%), closely followed by Structure & Body at 448 complaints (16%) and Steering at 373 complaints (13%).
- Does the 2010 Mazda3 have recalls?
- Yes. The 2010 Mazda3 has three recall campaigns covering seat lifter reinforcement, liftgate supports, and an engine wiring harness clearance issue.
- Is the 2017 Mazda3 reliable?
- The 2017 Mazda3 is rated Good, with a complaint index of 25, one of the lowest among all Mazda3 model years.