2016 Mazda Mazda3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Mazda Mazda3 has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 11th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 104 complaints, 6 recalls (including one do-not-drive fuel system recall), 7 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries tied to this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Mazda3 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 104
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 32
- 28.5 city / 38 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2016 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including one at 18,000 miles and another with no recorded mileage.
- Owners report the emergency/parking brake disengaging on parked vehicles, causing rollaway incidents that struck other vehicles or property.
- A front driver's seat reportedly fractured and collapsed after a rear-end collision, causing neck and back injuries.
- Electrical system complaints include a case of the roof catching fire near the driver's visor with no warning lamps, resulting in a total loss.
- Owners describe fuel pump auto-shutoff failing during fueling, causing gasoline to overflow the tank.
- A clutch failure was reported at 7,000 miles, with the dealer attributing it to driver misuse.
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?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2016 Mazda3 has a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years of the Mazda3.
- What is the top problem area for the 2016 Mazda3?
- Electrical System complaints lead the list with 22 complaints, 21% of the total, including one fire, with a median failure mileage of 28,330 miles.
- Does the 2016 Mazda3 have a do-not-drive recall?
- Yes. Recall 15V621000 covers a fuel tank shut-off valve issue on 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles and is flagged as do-not-drive.
- How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda3 have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Mazda3, covering collision avoidance cameras, wiper relays, brakes, and fuel system components.
- How does the 2016 Mazda3 compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 50, the 2016 model is better than heavily flagged years like 2010 (index 100) but worse than 2017, 2019, and 2020-2025, which carry Good or Best verdicts.