YearToAvoid

2016 Mazda Mazda3 Brakes Problems

Brakes account for 19 of 104 complaints (18%) filed on the 2016 Mazda3, centered on a parking brake recall (17V393000). Median mileage at failure is 36,367.5 miles, with 2 crashes reported and no fires or injuries.

Brakes complaints
19
18% of 104
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
36,368 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the parking brake spontaneously disengaging while the car was parked and unoccupied, letting it roll and strike another vehicle or object.
  • Multiple owners describe long waits for parts under recall 17V393000, with dealers unable to complete the parking brake caliper repair for months after notification.
  • Some owners report rear brake calipers freezing or binding even after the recall repair was performed, leading to uneven pad wear.
  • One owner describes a flapping noise from both rear wheels at 40 mph followed by violent vibration.
  • Another owner reports a squealing rear brake indicator and a bound piston discovered during a post-recall inspection.

When 2016 Mazda Mazda3 brake complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 29, 2017, latest Sep 11, 2026.

2016 Mazda Mazda3 brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2017Oct 2017Mar 2018Jun 2018Nov 2019Oct 2020Dec 2021Sep 2026
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2017 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2017 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2016 Mazda Mazda3

  1. 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.

Brakes complaints by Mazda3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20057 (7%)
  2. 200616 (10%)
  3. 200724 (11%)
  4. 200824 (8%)
  5. 200912 (10%)
  6. 201043 (6%)
  7. 20118 (6%)
  8. 201232 (14%)
  9. 201316 (14%)
  10. 201428 (20%)
  11. 201528 (22%)
  12. 201619 (18%)
  13. 20178 (10%)
  14. 20186 (6%)
  15. 201916 (22%)
  16. 20203 (9%)
  17. 20214 (8%)
  18. 20220 (0%)
  19. 20232 (17%)
  20. 20241 (8%)
  21. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Mazda3 have a brake recall?
Yes. Recall 17V393000, reported June 22, 2017, covers water entering the rear brake caliper that can corrode the parking brake actuator shaft on certain 2014-2016 Mazda3 and 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles.
How common are brake complaints on the 2016 Mazda3?
NHTSA lists 19 brake complaints for the 2016 Mazda3, which is 18% of the 104 total complaints filed for that model year.
At what mileage do 2016 Mazda3 brake problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 36,367.5 miles.
Did the 2016 Mazda3 brake issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 2 crashes tied to brake complaints on the 2016 Mazda3, with no fires and no injuries reported.

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.