YearToAvoid

2014 Mazda Mazda3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 has 138 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 60, and 4 recalls, ranking 9th worst of 21 model years with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area at 20% of complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#9 of 21 Mazda3 years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
138
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
10
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
5
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2020
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
32
28.5 city / 38.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0

Top 2014 Mazda Mazda3 problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other30 (22%)
  2. Brakes28 (20%)
  3. Electrical System28 (20%)
  4. Fuel System24 (17%)
  5. Engine21 (15%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (9%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain7 (5%)
  8. Seat Belts5 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (4%)
  10. Airbags4 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the parking brake failing to hold, causing the car to roll backward and hit another vehicle while parked.
  • Some describe sudden unintended acceleration while slowly parking, with the car lunging into walls, curbs, or barriers despite the brake pedal being pressed.
  • Several report the transmission or powertrain propelling the car forward unexpectedly when shifting into gear, especially during turns.
  • Electrical system complaints describe the vehicle lunging forward when coming to a stop, traced to a power module needing a software update.
  • One owner reported unstable, wandering steering that required holding the wheel off-center to keep the car going straight.
  • A tire sidewall separation and rim crack were reported after hitting a curb following a sudden pop and swerve.
2014 Mazda Mazda3 complaints: complaints filed per quarter82014 Q12015 Q32017 Q42019 Q32021 Q22023 Q22024 Q42026 Q2
138 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2017 Q3 (8).

2014 Mazda Mazda3 recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V487000Jul 14, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras236,100 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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 August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

  2. NHTSA 17V393000Jun 22, 2017Brakes227,814 vehicles

    Parking brake

    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 number for this recall is 1217F.

  3. NHTSA 16V684000Sep 22, 2016Fuel System17,484 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

    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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 →

2014 Mazda Mazda3 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
28.5 MPG
Highway
38.5 MPG
Combined
32 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,050
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Mazda3 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid85226126
2013Good45117126
2014Caution60138432
2015Caution651304 !32
2016Caution501046 !32

All Mazda Mazda3 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 Mazda3 carries a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Mazda3 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Mazda Mazda3?
Brakes account for 20% of complaints (28 total, 3 crashes), followed by electrical system issues (20%), fuel system (17%), and engine problems (15%).
Does the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Mazda3, covering the collision avoidance camera, brakes (parking brake actuator corrosion), fuel system (fuel tank weld), and electrical system (PCM software update). None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2014 Mazda3 compare to other years?
The 2014 Mazda3 has a complaint index of 60, worse than 2013 (45, Good) and 2017 (25, Good) but better than 2010 (100, Avoid), the model's worst year on record.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Mazda Mazda3?
The 2014 Mazda3 gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg combined (28.5 city, 38.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.