This page covers 5 recalls, 130 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake-related complaints lead the 2015 Mazda3 complaint set, with owners reporting that the parking brake fails to hold the vehicle on inclines, allowing the car to roll while unattended. The electrical system draws the second-highest complaint volume, covering a range of issues including intermittent behavior from various vehicle systems. The backup camera is also a recurring topic, with owners describing the image cutting in and out during reverse maneuvers before eventually restoring itself, no warning lights accompanying the issue in most cases. A handful of owners also report fuel leaking from the top of the fuel tank, typically discovered while parked, with multiple shops pointing to the tank itself as needing replacement rather than a simple seal fix.
130
Total Complaints
8
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
8
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Mazda3 has 5 recalls, the most serious being three separate fuel system issues where fuel can leak from the tank or emissions system and reach an ignition source, creating a fire risk.
Two of those fuel recalls involve the fuel tank itself: a faulty inlet check valve can separate and allow fuel to leak, and a defective shut-off valve can let fuel escape through the charcoal canister's external vent. A third fuel-related recall involves a similar shut-off valve concern where excess fuel entering the emissions system can either leak onto the ground or cause the engine to stall. On the brake side, water can get into the rear brake caliper and corrode the parking brake actuator shaft, leaving the parking brake unable to fully engage or release. There is also a visibility concern: on vehicles equipped with a rearview camera, the image can flicker or display with distortion, reducing what the driver can see when backing up.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera may display a flickering or distorted image, making it difficult to see behind the vehicle clearly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera if needed, and install a wiring harness fastening seal.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can enter the brake caliper and cause the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and bind, potentially affecting parking brake function.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the parking brake actuator shafts and replace any that are corroded at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank's inlet check valve weld may fail due to improper handling during manufacturing, potentially allowing fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the inlet check valve weld and replace the fuel tank if needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank shut-off valve may be defective, allowing fuel to flow into the charcoal canister and leak from its external vent under certain conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the charcoal canister and related fuel tank components.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel tank shut-off valve can malfunction and allow fuel to enter the emissions system. Too much fuel entering this system may leak onto the ground or cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the shut-off valve and replace it along with affected emissions components as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
