This page covers 4 recalls, 106 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2018 Mazda Mazda3.
The 2014 to 2018 Mazda3 received an overall rating of five stars from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program for US-market vehicles. The sedan earned five stars in frontal crash, side crash, and side pole crash tests. It received four stars in rollover testing. NHTSA applies these ratings across model years until a significant redesign occurs, so this rating covers the entire 2014 to 2018 range.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Electrical and visibility complaints dominate what 2018 Mazda3 owners report. On the electrical side, owners describe a range of issues tied to the body control module and the broader vehicle network, front wipers going unresponsive while other wiper functions remain normal, and intermittent faults on the high-speed communication network that simultaneously trigger warnings for the powertrain, ABS, traction control, tire pressure monitoring, and collision-avoidance systems, sometimes accompanied by hesitation or lurching at low speeds. The infotainment screen draws its own cluster of complaints: owners report the display developing spider cracks, becoming cloudy at the corners, and registering phantom inputs that change radio stations or navigation screens without being touched. Visibility and back-over prevention complaints are closely linked, cracking or resetting infotainment screens disable the rear camera, which owners report as their primary concern with that failure.
106
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Mazda3 has 4 recalls, the most serious involving a fuel pump whose internal impeller can crack and fail, cutting off fuel delivery and stalling the engine without warning.
Two separate issues can also cause the engine to stall while driving. A faulty exhaust valve spring in certain engines can break under normal operating conditions, killing the engine unexpectedly in traffic. On the visibility side, a defective windshield wiper relay can cause the wipers to stop working entirely, leaving the driver without a clear view of the road in rain or snow. The rearview camera on some vehicles can display a flickering or distorted image when reversing, making it difficult to see what is directly behind the car.
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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Driver Assistance
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
The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, which can cause the fuel pump to stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty windshield wiper relay can stop the wipers from working, reducing your ability to see the road.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace your front body control module with an improved one that has a better wiper relay.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exhaust valve spring in your engine may be incorrect. It can fail while you're driving, which could cause your engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your engine and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
