Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Mazda 3

EPA MPG: 33 mpg
Average Retail Price
$7,800 - $11,425

RECALL ALERT:
There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability
/ 100

We expect the 2025 3 will be more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2023 and 2024 models and the Mazda brand score.

The 2015 Mazda 3 has been recalled 4 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2015 Mazda 3 owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

"I had to disable the touch screen. I can only control the infotainment system with the rotary dial."

Anonymous A., PA (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"It got worse over a period of 3-4 months. Audio would not respond to manual commands. Sometimes would freeze and nothing would work. Or it would skip to an unselected function. I took the car to the dealer and received a new screen."

Anonymous, CA (2015 Mazda 3 Sport Unsure)
External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"Heads up display and Mazda Connect would automatically scroll through phone contacts and start calling the first person in my contacts list. This happened 1-2x per week forcing me to exclude contacts from Mazda app."

Anonymous, OR (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
In-dash navigation system (GPS)

"The GPS has gone "rogue", meaning it gives random directions and routes that make no sense. For example, routing from Pennsylvania to Gloucester, MA, sends us into Boston and back out US1 instead of onto I-95/128 North. Also, Glen Burnie, MD to York, PA sends us via Annapolis. Dealer tells us the system is "no longer supported" by Mazda. We now use WAYZE on our phones instead."

Anonymous A., PA (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Other in-car electronics problem

"The display screen started jumping all over the place. It cannot be controlled. Randomly deletes radio stations, doesn't stay on stations. ALSO: The controls for the radio/bluetooth/etc. detached and fell into the space between the seats. (not sure what that area is called.)"

Anonymous, CA (2015 Mazda 3 Touring Unsure)

"The touchscreen would randomly register touches when not touched. Mazda issued an extended recall (i.e., they'd honor it beyond normal warranty duration) for this problem that I didn't find out about until the recall period expired."

Anonymous, IN (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"The entire info-sound system get crazy: it get ghoost input and become uncontrolable. It can select a radio station of it own; the GPS system start entering a new address or more weird things. When it start doing so, there is no way to get back the control, stopping the engine is the only solution. It happen 10% of the time. I will be selling the car soon, so I don't want to invest since I think it will not be cheap to repair."

Anonymous, QC (2015 Mazda 3 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Radio

"The radio intermittently tunes itself to a different frequency from that selected and locks up in this position. When this happens, the radio will no longer respond to driver inputs from the manual control dial until the vehicle electrical system has been cycled off and back on."

Anonymous, NJ (2015 Mazda 3 Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"Station jumps back to previous selection repeatedly. Have to shut off car to reboot. GPS system has gone "rogue" and cannot be relied on even for frequent routes. Takes you all over the place. Now we just use WAZE on our phones."

Anonymous A., PA (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Speakers

"The passenger side front speaker was blown which was suprising considering how low the audio is driven. And the propriety speaker unit and connector does not make for easy replacement with aftermarket parts."

Anonymous A., BC (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"Speakers in doors (Bose) blown out and rattling when purchased."

Anonymous, OR (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"One of the subwoofers in the door had a really annoying buzz that needed to be replaced"

Anonymous, WI (2015 Mazda 3 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"Severe distortion developed in both front door speakers on both Mazda 3s within the first few years."

Anonymous A., PA (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Voice control commands

"It doesn't recognize what I'm saying. I can only dial using the phone number, so I have to know the phone numbers off by heart. I've tried everything. It says its downloading the phone book, but it doesn't. The skyactiv system doesn't work."

Anonymous, BC (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Calipers

"Rear right caliper froze"

Anonymous A., IN (2015 Mazda 3 Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

"Rear break calipers locked up, but car could still be driven some distance."

Anonymous, MD (2015 Mazda 3 Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Parking brake

"Parking brake cable failed."

Anonymous, MD (2015 Mazda 3 Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"rear brake shoes remained locked, even when parking brake handle is released"

Anonymous A., RI (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Steering And Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Bushings

"Cluncking in the front of the car. Replacing bushings helped for a while, but clunking returned. Found a lot of other similar complaints online"

Anonymous, OH (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
Other steering/suspension problem

"I took the car in for routine maintenance at the dealer and was told that due to wear the front lower control arms and the front stabilizer links needed to be replaced. There was no indication of issue prior to the maintenance inspection."

Anonymous, CA (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Shocks or struts

"Shock on the driverside rear broke, likely from a large pothole. Needed Replacement 10,000 miles before maintenance schedule recommendation."

Anonymous, WA (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)
Tie rods

"Unsure if the tie rods are part of the clunking issue"

Anonymous, OH (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

/ 5

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"Compressor is failing, needing to be replaced. It's a costly fix, though it hasn't failed completely yet."

Anonymous A., AB (2015 Mazda 3 SV 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Heater system

"The heater is weak. It takes a very long time to heat the interior of the vehicle and because of this the windows fog up quickly with condensation. The blower fan is also weak, very little strength. The heating system also doesn't go where you direct it to, it always comes out the front a bit no matter where I direct it with the buttons."

Anonymous, BC (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"The cabin temperature control dial broke. The cable that connects it to the heat chamber door had a broken connection piece. I am told this is a common problem with this year/model."

Anonymous, CA (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

/ 5

What Owners Say

12V battery

"Battery drained too fast. In the winter even with a relatively new Battery it needed to be put on a charger to start. Then when the car started the radio was inexplicably turned up to full volume."

Anonymous, NJ (2015 Mazda 3 Touring Unsure)
Keyless entry

"Routinely, the vehicle will not recognize that the key fob is in the vehicle and is showing the red error message. This is even when new batteries are in the remotes."

Anonymous A., BC (2015 Mazda 3 Sport 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Fuel pump

"gas leaking out under cay"

Anonymous, NY (2015 Mazda 3 Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor)

"Engine warning amber light came on and stayed on. Mechanic said fault code indicated a lean problme with sensor mismatch. Cleaning sensors corrected problem."

Anonymous, ON (2015 Mazda 3 Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Exhaust leaks

"corrosion in flex pipe. Initial cost to repair $3,800. Repaired at custom muffler shop for $1,000"

Anonymous, NH (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Other exhaust system problem

"I had to get the exhaust pipe fixed twice this year because the car was making a really loud growling noise. That said, the previous owner had installed a new exhaust pipe himself so he might not have done it properly and that might have caused the issue."

Anonymous, NL (2015 Mazda 3 Sport)

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Clutch replacement

"Its a manual transmission and needed a new clutch"

Anonymous, MA (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring Unsure)

"the clutch failed at around 85,000 mi"

Anonymous, CO (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Paint And Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Rust

"Rusting around inside bottom of doors and wheel wells"

Anonymous, MB (2015 Mazda 3 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Seat controls - power

"My wife and I use different driver's seat positions, so it is often adjusted to fit one of us.This past year the seat motor began acting up by groaning some, so we compromised on the positioning of the seat so as not to move it so much. this was after finding out how much it would cost to have it replaced. We would have to buy the whole seat mechanism costing about $1200 and putting it in myself. Mazda wanted $2200 to replace it. We still haven't done so."

Anonymous A., AR (2015 Mazda 3 Grand Touring 2.5-L 4 Cyl)

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

/ 5

Noises And Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

/ 5

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

/ 5

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

/ 5

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

/ 5

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

/ 5

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

/ 5

2015 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

This Car
vs. Similar Cars

Mazda vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
* Redesign year
11
12
13
14*
15
16
17
18
19*
20
Overall Reliability Verdict

POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Steering and Suspension
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Jul 14, 2023
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Summary:
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
What should you do:
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 23V487000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 236100
PARKING BRAKE
Jun 22, 2017
If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Summary:
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
What should you do:
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 17V393000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 227814
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Sep 22, 2016
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Summary:
Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.
What should you do:
Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 16V684000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 17484
Check Vehicle for Unrepaired Recalls
Enter a valid 17-character VIN
Enter a valid 17-character VIN
Change Vehicle