2021 Mazda Mazda3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2021 Mazda3 ranks 14th of 21 model years with a complaint index of 35 and a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 49 complaints, 1 recall, and 2 reported fires, with Engine as the top problem area at 41% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Mazda3 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 49
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- —
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine20 (41%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (14%)
- Other7 (14%)
- Electrical System6 (12%)
- Airbags4 (8%)
- Brakes4 (8%)
- Lane Departure3 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (6%)
- Fuel System2 (4%)
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 vehicle catching fire while parked or stopped, with fire department response in at least one case.
- Some drivers describe a tire going flat suddenly while driving, causing the vehicle to veer toward the shoulder.
- The dashboard has shown an 'airbag system malfunction' warning that flashes on and off repeatedly, including on vehicles with very low mileage.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a rear-end collision despite the impact.
- The smart brake system has activated unnecessarily, slamming on the brakes with no way to disable the feature.
- Blind spot and lane-keep systems reportedly behave inconsistently, sometimes detecting vehicles and sometimes not at the same speed.
2021 Mazda Mazda3 recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V101000Feb 22, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires599 vehicles
Tires:valve
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
Risk: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.
2021 compared with other Mazda3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Mazda3 has a Good verdict, ranking 14th out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 35.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mazda3?
- Engine issues make up 41% of complaints (20 of 49), followed by collision avoidance and camera problems at 14% and electrical system issues at 12%.
- Does the 2021 Mazda3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2021 Mazda3, covering a tire air valve that could suddenly leak air; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Did the 2021 Mazda3 have any fires reported?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 fire reports and 2 crashes among the 49 complaints for the 2021 Mazda3, with one injury and no deaths.
- What year Mazda3 should I avoid instead of 2021?
- Years like 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes between 75 and 100, far higher than the 2021 model's index of 35.