2021 Mazda Mazda3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

66 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, alongside 1 recall campaign and 0 defect investigations. It scores 8/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Engine leads the reports.

One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.

66Complaints
8/100Trouble index
1Recalls

Better year

Where 2021 sits among all Mazda3 years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Engine 18 complaints (27%)
Driver assistance 13 complaints (20%)
Other 7 complaints (11%)
Electrical 6 complaints (9%)
Airbags 4 complaints (6%)
Brakes & stability 4 complaints (6%)

Recalls (1)

TIRES 21V101000 2021

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at…

Technical service bulletins

625 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2021 Mazda3 TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2021peak 22 in 20222026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 drew 66 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 8/100, scored against the model's worst year (2010).

What are the most common 2021 Mazda Mazda3 problems?

The top reported problems for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 are engine (18 complaints), driver assistance (13), and other (7).

Does the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 have recalls?

1 recall campaign applies to the 2021 Mazda Mazda3. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

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.