2013 Mazda MAZDA3 Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 9%of 117 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2013 Mazda MAZDA3, 9% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased a 2013 Mazda 3 in march or 2020 with about 35000miles. About two months later I put down my back seats for the first time and noticed the middle seat buckle was fringed and looked cut about a half of inch in. It could not retract due to the buckle snagging on the cut. It is november 2020 and I have now descoveres that this same thing has happened to the driver and front passenger buckles as well. I rarely have anyone in my back seat, maybe twice since the purchase, so the buckles are not frequently used. …”
NHTSA complaint #11376669, filed 2020-11, 38,000 miles“On april 27, 2016 I noticed a gap between the screen or my information display and the upper portion of the dashboard. I asked my local body shop if it was related to something else they had just taken care of; the owner looked into it, spoke to dome local dealerships, and told me it's a known problem with Mazda dashboards but they won't fix it. I don't know what electrical components could potentially be affected if moisture, dust, etc. Enter the gap, and I also don't know if this is continuing to separate. What's the end point? What if part of the dashboard collapses while I'm driving? …”
NHTSA complaint #10871930, filed 2016-06, 38,350 miles“When breaking my headlights flicker on and off. It only occurs when breaking. Second issue: when backing up from reverse gear and putting car into drive the transmission hesitates to engage and the car surges forward like it is not in gear. It will also make a metal on metal sound when foot is not on the brake pedal. Third issue: at 55 MPH the vehicle shakes. Dealer said they cannot duplicate it but it happens always at 55mph.”
NHTSA complaint #10881518, filed 2016-06, 20,000 miles“Pcm does not regulate alternator output correctly causing the headlights to flash/strobe and horn tone to fluctuate while braking in motion. The headlights flashing could lead other drivers to believe you are signaling them, and lack of power to horn reduces the audibility and may not be heard by other drivers. Dealership/Mazda is aware of the issue and has provided a software update to fix the issue, but has not issued a recall, thus requiring consumers to pay $60-$100 usd for the update if out of warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #11048713, filed 2017-11, 87,000 miles“The instrument panel has come loose, and there is a opening, the inside of it is chipped as well and it is foggy. Just normal driving to and from work. Mazda offered a special service warranty, which my car did not qualify because this gap had not occurred yet. Conveniently, the extension expired before my panel started coming apart. I spoke with Mazda today and they told me I was to late. Well I was ineligible because it hadn't come apart yet. Apparently they are aware of this problem as they did off a special warranty for it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11408464, filed 2021-04Related service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 11026904Dec 10, 2025A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the…
- 11022742Aug 22, 2025Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's…
- 11022727Aug 14, 2025When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing Radio ID and the new/replacement SAT Radio ID as soon as possible to…
- 11020039Jun 19, 2025Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement. Foreign debris on the blower motor after servicing the cabin air filter…
- 11017699Apr 25, 2025A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the…
- 11017697Apr 16, 2025There have been warranty claims submitted for growling or bearing whine noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel…
- 11007019Aug 15, 2024If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by…
- 11006987Aug 8, 2024In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 11005671Jul 29, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 25% |
| 2024 | 4 | 33% |
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2021 | 7 | 13% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 15 | 20% |
| 2018 | 26 | 24% |
| 2017 | 28 | 33% |
| 2016 | 23 | 22% |
| 2015 | 26 | 20% |
| 2014 | 27 | 20% |
| 2013 | 10 | 9% |
| 2012 | 20 | 9% |
| 2011 | 18 | 14% |
| 2010 | 135 | 20% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 11 | 4% |
| 2007 | 4 | 2% |
| 2006 | 9 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2013 Mazda MAZDA3
36 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology