2019 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
118 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2019 Mazda Mazda3, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 13/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Other leads the reports, typically around 3,967 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 2019 sits among all Mazda3 years
What owners report
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 68 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 5,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 2,802 and 12,750 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the…
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head…
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4.…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the front and rear wheel lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat…
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer…
Technical service bulletins
818 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2019 Mazda Mazda3. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2019 Mazda3 TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
The 2019 Mazda Mazda3 drew 118 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 13/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).
What are the most common 2019 Mazda Mazda3 problems?
The top reported problems for the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 are other (17 complaints), brakes & stability (15), and electrical (13).
At what mileage do 2019 Mazda Mazda3 problems show up?
Owners most often report 2019 Mazda Mazda3 problems around 5,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 2,802 and 12,750 miles.
Does the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2019 Mazda Mazda3. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.