2023 Mazda Mazda3 problems
The Mazda3 (known as the Mazda Axela in Japan (first three generations), a combination of "accelerate" and "excellent") is a compact car manufactured by Mazda. It was first introduced in 2003 as a 2004 model, replacing the Familia/323/Protegé in the C-segment.
The second-generation Mazda3 for the 2009 model year was unveiled in late 2008, with the sedan premiering at the Los Angeles Auto Show and the hatchback at the Bologna Motor Show. For the 2012 model year, Mazda began offering the Mazda3 with their newly developed Skyactiv technology, including a more rigid body, a new direct-injection engine, and a new 6-speed transmission.
The third generation was introduced in mid-2013 as a 2014 model year. The third-generation model is the first Mazda3 to adopt the "Kodo" design language and a more complete Skyactiv range of technologies.
The fourth-generation Mazda3 for the 2019 model year was unveiled in November 2018 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. For the 2019 model, the all-new Mazda3 is equipped with the updated Skyactiv technologies, including a spark-controlled compression ignition engine marketed as the Skyactiv-X.
A performance-oriented version of the Mazda3 was marketed until 2013 as the Mazdaspeed3 in North America, Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan, and the Mazda3 MPS in Europe and Australia.
The Mazda3 became one of Mazda's fastest-selling vehicles, with cumulative sales in January 2019 of over 6 million units.
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Common 2023 Mazda Mazda3 problems
The 2023 Mazda 3 is a highly regarded vehicle, but there are some common problems that owners have reported. One issue is related to the drivetrain, with some owners experiencing driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, and electronic stability control problems. These issues can affect the overall performance and safety of the vehicle, and may require costly repairs.
Another issue that has been reported is related to the engine, with some owners experiencing engine rebuilds or replacements, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt problems. These issues can be costly to repair and can affect the overall reliability of the vehicle.
The transmission is another area where some owners have reported problems, with some experiencing transmission rebuilds or replacements, torque converter, and premature clutch replacement issues. These problems can affect the vehicle's performance and may require costly repairs.
In addition to these issues, some owners have reported problems with the car's interior and exterior features. These include issues with the climate control system, infotainment system, and various sensors and electrical components. These problems can affect the overall comfort and convenience of the vehicle and may require costly repairs.
Finally, some owners have reported problems with the car's suspension and braking system, including issues with shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage, power steering, wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension, and the regenerative braking system. These problems can affect the overall safety and handling of the vehicle and may require costly repairs.
In summary, while the 2023 Mazda 3 is a highly regarded vehicle, there are some common problems that owners have reported. These include issues with the drivetrain, engine, transmission, interior and exterior features, and suspension and braking system. These problems can be costly to repair and may affect the overall reliability, performance, and safety of the vehicle.
What is the most common problem with Mazda 3?
Mazda 3 Reliability and Common Problems
- The Mazda 3 is one of the most reliable compact sedans, with a high reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal.
- Common problems with the Mazda 3 include lightning issues, infotainment problems, faulty brakes, and sway bar links that need to be replaced.
Is the new Mazda 3 reliable?
The Mazda 3 Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 9th out of 36 for compact cars.
Will the Mazda 3 be redesigned for 2023?
The 2023 Mazda3 has been completely redesigned to provide unique driving experiences for hatchback and sedan models. Its newly constructed platform is lighter and more rigid than ever before, providing a smoother, sportier ride.
What is the break in period for the Mazda 3 2023?
No special running-in is necessary, but a few precautions in the first 1,000 km (600 miles) may add to the performance, economy, and life of the vehicle.
2023 Mazda Mazda3 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Mazda3 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
- Power train problems
- Tires problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2023 Mazda Mazda3 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2023 Mazda Mazda3 complaints
The NHTSA has received 8 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Mazda Mazda3.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-15
- VIN: 3MZBPABM7PM
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2023 Mazda Mazda3 equipped with Bridgestone Tires, Tire Line: Turanza EL440, Tire Size: 215/45/R18, DOT Number: [XXX] . The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had developed a sidewall bubble and the tire was replaced. Later the front driver's side tire had developed a sidewall bubble and was replaced. The contact later discovered the same failure had occurred on the replacement tire located on the front passenger’s side. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,500. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-30
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Crash: 1
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3MZBPBCM1PM
- Components: AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The contact's daughter had rented a 2023 Mazda Mazda 3. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle veered off to the left side of the highway and side-swiped a cable system; the vehicle then crashed into the end cap of a guardrail. The vehicle then hydroplaned and hit a bridge pillar. The vehicle flipped as the contact's daughter was ejected from the vehicle and the vehicle landed on the roof in the grass next to the guardrail. The cause of the crash was unknown. The vehicle caught fire and was incinerated by the time authorities arrived on the scene. The contact's daughter was pronounced dead at the scene. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police report was filed. The guardrail, cable system, and a wooden road post were damaged due to the accident. Due to the extent of the fire, it was unknown if the air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact stated that the investigators could not determine the exact cause of the crash but believed that it was likely that the contact's daughter fell asleep; the contact contests the investigator's findings. Upon his investigation, the contact discovered that owners of previous year model vehicles had reported that the air bag and seat belt pretensioners had failed to operate in the event of a crash. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unknown.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-02
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 3MZBPACMXPM
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
- Summary: I was driving on the highway and decided to switch int the left lane so I sped up and heard a big bang and what sounded like my bumper being dragged against the ground. I see on my dashboard that there’s an electrical and engine malfunction so I pullover and pop the hood. A bunch of smoke comes out and i see a little fire so me and my friends run and call the police. The police and firefighters arrived just as the fire was getting large and it had engulfed the front right side of my car. If the notification that there was a malfunction didn’t come on, I feel as if we could’ve been hurt much worse or even have died. I’m not much of a person that knows about cars and it sounded like my bumper was scraping and by the amount of times i’ve scraped my bumper, i believed it until I saw my notification. The vehicle is still being inspected for cause of fire and this vehicle has never had this problem before.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-15
- VIN: JM1BPAKM8P1
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: While driving in snow storm I had to pull over and I noticed lights were covered with snow . LED lights will not produce heat to melt snow The lip above and the ledge below traps the snow and with the way the headlights are set up the snow sticks on the lights which affects visibility creating a safety issue. Same thing happens in rain. I have been to a parts store and a mechanic shop Both shops said this is a poor design. The lip and lower ledge trap the snow and LED lights will not melt the snow. This vehicle would be unsafe to drive in a snowstorm because of poor vision. Thank you
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-31
- VIN: JM1BPAMM4P1
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: It is the infotainment system but please, hear me out. The manual states that one is able to change channels by using the controls on the steering wheel. That is not the case. It actually is another feature NOT described in the manual. So now in order to change the channel, one must take their hand off the wheel and fidget with a selector and look at a screen (and also hope they are in the right menu section). This is not how most cars with this capability act. This is something that even the manual doesn't describe. This is a hazard, albeit not spontaneous because it leads to distracted driving. I've been to the dealership twice about the issue. I've contacted Mazda corporate. There are anecdotes of others having the same complaint and how this is a hazard. My complaint to Mazda Corporate and the dealership requests to Mazda Corporate have been met with a "Oh well, it is what it is and we can't help you." sort of reply. -The component at this time can be inspected. -The feature leads to distracted driving. -Yes, two local dealerships have observed the issue and were puzzled as to why it says one thing in the manual about the feature and the system acts a different way. -No inspection by the manufacturer, but I have contacted Mazda USA corporate via chat and email. -No warning lamps or messages because apparently this is how it operates.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-18
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JM1BPAMM9P1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Automatic emergency braking suddenly engaged while driving on the highway. The car decelerated abruptly to a complete stop, causing the driver behind to rear-end me. There were no vehicles or obstacles in front of the car when the brakes engaged - the closest car was at least 100 feet in front of me. This collision was clearly the result of a faulty automatic emergency braking system. I do not feel safe driving the car knowing this malfunction could happen again, especially at highway speeds. Sudden unexplained braking presents a huge safety hazard to all drivers, increasing the likelihood for collisions and injuries. There were no warnings or symptoms prior to the unexpected brake system activation. After the brakes activated mistakenly, warning beeps and “BRAKE!” message appeared. Car has collision damage and has not yet been inspected by dealer. Police report filed.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-27
- VIN: 3MZBPACM9PM
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Cars lurches/jerks at low speeds when shifting 1-2 gears and sometimes rpm bounces up and down when downshifting.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-12
- VIN: JM1BPBJY8P1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: On three occasions thus far when the vehicle was started and placed in drive the transmission slipped terribly, the engine rpms would race when pressing the accelerator and the vehicle would move at no more than a few MPH. The problem is intermittent but can be inspected. The problem has occurred on public roads when stopped at a light or stop sign and I was unable to move forward again after stopping. The problem was reproduced by the dealer. The dealer had the vehicle for 29 days for repair attempts and returned it to me one day before my states lemon law would have been triggered. There were several vehicle malfunction warnings displayed on the dash 10 to 15 minutes after the vehicle failed to move under its own power. I also purchased an OBDII code reader after the initial vehicle failure and was able to read transmission error codes on subsequent failures.
Negative 2023 Mazda Mazda3 car reviews
Positive 2023 Mazda Mazda3 car reviews
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Love it! The white exterior with a maroon red leather interior looks amazing! It's a manual transmission and so much fun to drive. The clean design and luxurious interior and exterior make it stand out. Although the back seat and hatch space are small, it's rarely a factor for me since I'm the only one in the car. In my opinion, it looks so much better than the 'better' Civic. I highly recommend getting one!
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Drives like a dream...great safety features...looks great too
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I have been driving my Mazda 3 since June 2021. The car boasts a number of impressive features, including a well-designed ergonomic interior, a sleek finish, responsive steering, and a sporty feel. The handling is also top-notch, and the car has plenty of power. However, there are a few areas where the car falls short. The location and radio controls could be improved, and the Mazda navigation system is very difficult to use. Additionally, the parking brake button can be quite annoying. Despite these drawbacks, the car's fuel consumption has been lower than expected, averaging around 20.0 mpg even with mostly city driving and only 20% on highways.
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Congratulations on your new car! It's great to hear that you're enjoying driving it and that it offers a luxury experience even at lower trim levels. It's also good to know that the car has some impressive features that differentiate it from competitors like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. While there are a few minor issues with the car, such as the lack of rear seat passenger lights and the front door handles having an opening instead of a small pocket, it's great to hear that the rotary dial is easy to use and that the Wired CarPlay works well. Overall, it sounds like this car is perfect for your needs and offers a fun driving experience. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!
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That sounds great! I'm so glad to hear that you had the best driving experience ever!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2023 Mazda Mazda3 problems:
2019-2023 Mazda3 80k Mile Owner Review & Common Problems ...
May 4, 2023 ... 2019 Mazda 6 2.5 turbo owner here. Just about to hit 60k miles. No engine issues, no issues at all actually! Very reliable car.
New 2023 Mazda 3 Jerking Problem : r/mazda3
Jun 10, 2023 ... This has happened to me a couple of times now where when I'm slightly accelerating at a low speed (about 10 or 15 mph), the car jerks back and ...
[SavageGeese] 2023 Mazda3 Long Term Updates | Philosophical ...
Apr 17, 2023 ... It also does sweet four wheel drifts in the snow without a problem (even with TC on). So this car, at least in turbo form, is dynamically way ...
2023 Mazda3 Problems, Issues & Top Complaints - Is Your Car A ...
Aug 17, 2023 ... 2023 Mazda 3 Complaint Summary · Electrical System · Power Train · Unknown Or Other · Air Bags · Engine · Exterior Lighting · Forward Collision ...
Other years of Mazda Mazda3
Are you having problems with your 2023 Mazda Mazda3?
Delbert Fahey 2024-11-15
We're sorry to hear that you had a disappointing experience with the Mazda 3. It seems like the lack of legroom in both the front and back, as well as the uncomfortable seats, made you feel claustrophobic. It's a shame that they discontinued the Mazda 3, as you would have continued to buy them if they were available. We appreciate your feedback and hope that you have a better experience with your next vehicle.
Kennith Ziemann 2024-10-25
This car has several areas that require improvement, such as the distracting features, inadequate air conditioning and heater, poor visibility, poor defroster function, and unintuitive electronics. However, with some adjustments, this car has the potential to be a success. It is important to note that these issues do not define the car as a whole, and I would not rate it as a failure.
Jack Pagac 2024-10-16
Performance, interior quality, handling, fuel consumption, and power accessories are all great! However, I noticed that the car has less than 3500kms on it and the oil light is on. Sure enough, the oil level is down by that much. This is not what I would expect for a car that costs 48000 taxes in. Can you please explain this issue?
Mortimer Osinski 2024-10-04
As an owner of both a 2015s GT and a 2018 Mazda 3 GT hatchback, I have a unique perspective to compare my current 2021 Mazda 3 AWD turbo hatchback to the previous models. Over the past six years, there have been some noticeable changes, most of which are improvements and greatly appreciated. The turbo in the 2021 model is a perfect example of that, giving the car a much-needed boost in performance and driving enjoyment. Although it's not a Mazdaspeed, it still makes a significant difference. However, the switch to a fixed rear axle suspension in the AWD model can be positively brutal on pavement bumps and potholes, compromising the driving experience improvement brought about by the addition of the turbo. Additionally, the reduction in rear cargo space in the AWD model is noticeable and not a welcome change. Despite these issues, I still enjoy my 2021 Mazda 3 hatchback, and it makes for a mostly enjoyable driving experience. I hope this review helps you make an informed decision about your next car purchase!
Fern Welch 2024-08-24
I was really looking forward to test driving and potentially buying this car. However, after test driving the base model, I was underwhelmed. The engine lacked acceleration and torque, which was disappointing. While the turbo option may be appealing, it comes at a significant price increase. Additionally, the cabin felt quite cramped, especially in the rear where it was difficult to fit a car seat. Even the front seat felt cramped, similar to driving a Miata without the fun. Overall, I was disappointed with my experience.