This page covers 1 recall, 49 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2021 Mazda3 complaint set, with owners describing a range of issues including misfires (P0304 codes appear in multiple reports), power loss on the highway, and persistent vibration especially during cold-start idle. A recurring theme in the engine and drivetrain complaints involves the rear differential housing cracking on AWD-equipped models, owners describe the rear wheels locking up when AWD engages rather than transferring power smoothly. Several owners note this happened at relatively low speeds, though the concern is what might occur at highway speeds. Ball joint wear appearing at low mileage shows up in more than one report as well. Forward collision avoidance draws a handful of complaints, with owners describing unexpected system behavior while driving. Airbag complaints account for four reports, though the specific symptoms vary across those filings.
49
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
At a glance
What can fail
Air can suddenly leak from the tire air valve, causing tire pressure loss.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 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 →
