2016 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Mazda3 years
The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 has a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 104 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls (including 1 do-not-drive fuel tank recall), and its top problem area is the Electrical System.
- Complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 6
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 28.5 city / 38 hwy
Top 2016 Mazda Mazda3 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other24 (23%)
- Electrical System22 (21%)
- Brakes19 (18%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (9%)
- Engine8 (8%)
- Structure & Body8 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (7%)
- Airbags6 (6%)
- Fuel System6 (6%)
What owners report
- Seats reportedly fracture or collapse in rear-end collisions, worsening whiplash and neck/back injuries.
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy during crashes, including hydroplaning incidents and side impacts.
- Parked vehicles reportedly roll away on their own even with the emergency brake engaged, sometimes striking other vehicles or objects.
- The electrical system reportedly caused smoke and a fire near the driver's visor with no warning lights displayed beforehand.
- Fuel pump auto-shutoff reportedly fails during fueling, causing gasoline to overflow onto the ground.
- Dashboard reflections on the windshield reportedly obstruct visibility significantly whenever the sun is out.
2016 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
6 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 19V272000Apr 4, 2019Visibility & Wipers187,880 vehicles
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer
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.
- 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.
2016 Mazda Mazda3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 28.5 MPG
- Highway
- 38 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.
2016 compared with other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Mazda3 a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years covered. Electrical System complaints are the largest category at 21% of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda3?
- The top problem areas are Electrical System (22 complaints, 21%), Brakes (19 complaints, 18%), and Collision Avoidance & Cameras (12 complaints, 12%). The median mileage at failure for electrical issues is 28,330.
- Does the 2016 Mazda3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 Mazda3, including a do-not-drive fuel tank shut-off valve recall (15V621000) and a windshield wiper relay recall (19V272000).
- How does the 2016 Mazda3 compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 53, the 2016 model ranks worse than 2017 (33), 2019 (40), and 2020 (0), but better than 2010 (100), 2012 (93), and 2011 (87).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Mazda3?
- The 2016 Mazda3 gets an EPA-rated 32 mpg combined (28.5 city/38 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,050.