Verdict
2018 Mazda Mazda3: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 107 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 71% of 2018 sedans. Electrical System leads the reports (26%). 4 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
107
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
4
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
No data
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 71% of 2018 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (26% of 107 reports), followed by unknown or other (18%).
+ 8 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 107 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11603286, ODI 11714999, ODI 11671421, ODI 11641573, ODI 11633634.
Recalls(4)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Fuel SystemDec 2021 · 21V875000Details +Close −
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
VisibilityApr 2019 · 19V272000Details +Close −
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 17V745000Details +Close −
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.
Back Over Prevention · 23V487000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2018 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
No EPA fuel-economy record is available for this model year. Some trims and older vehicles were not tested or are not in the current EPA feed.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Mazda Mazda3: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Mazda Mazda3?
Owners filed 107 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 — more complaints than 71% of comparable 2018 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Mazda Mazda3?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (26% of complaints) and unknown or other (18%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 have?
4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Mazda Mazda3, covering components such as fuel system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 get?
EPA fuel-economy figures for the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 aren't available yet.