2015 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
80/100
#4 most-complained of 16 Mazda3 years
The 2015 Mazda3 ranks 4th worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 130 NHTSA complaints. Brakes lead the problem list at 28 complaints (22%), with a median failure mileage of 52,000 miles, plus 4 recalls including a do-not-drive fuel tank shut-off valve recall.
- Complaints
- 130
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 8 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 28.5 city / 38.5 hwy
Top 2015 Mazda Mazda3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes28 (22%)
- Electrical System27 (21%)
- Other27 (21%)
- Fuel System14 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (10%)
- Structure & Body12 (9%)
- Engine7 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in rear-end and frontal collisions, leaving occupants with neck and back injuries.
- Brakes have locked up unexpectedly or the parking brake failed to hold when the emergency lever was pulled, in some cases leading to a collision.
- Owners reported flames or smoke coming from under the hood, in one case after 200,000 miles with the check engine light on just before shutdown.
- A dome light flickering preceded a fire seen through the rearview mirror while driving at highway speed with 22,000 miles on the car.
- The steering rack and pinion reportedly cracked, causing the vehicle to pull left off the highway at 65 mph.
- A sharp object was found protruding from inside the driver's seat vinyl, posing an injury risk in a rear impact.
2015 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
2015 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.
2015 compared with other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Mazda3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2015 Mazda3 ranks 4th worst of 16 model years for this model, with a Complaint Index of 80 and 130 total complaints, making it an 'Avoid' year relative to other Mazda3 years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2015 Mazda3?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 28 complaints (22% of the total), with issues reported at a median mileage of 52,000 miles. Electrical system issues follow closely with 27 complaints.
- Does the 2015 Mazda3 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 Mazda3, including one do-not-drive recall (15V621000) for a fuel tank shut-off valve issue reported in October 2015.
- How does the 2015 Mazda3 compare to other years?
- The 2015 model's Complaint Index of 80 is worse than the 2013 (60), 2014 (73), and 2016 (53) model years, and far worse than the 2020 model year, which has an index of 0 and is rated 'Best'.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2015 Mazda3?
- The 2015 Mazda3 gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg combined (28.5 city / 38.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050.