2014 Mazda MAZDA3 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year report a wide spread of concerns rather than one dominant theme: rear brake calipers that stick or drag, gasoline odors traced to the fuel tank seams, rearview camera images that flicker or fail, parking brakes that do not hold, and intermittent electrical or throttle behavior. Many reports arrive at low mileage in the first year or two, while brake and fuel odor reports cluster in the tens of thousands of miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Loss of power, stalling or hesitation while driving

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 16,100 mi at 1.6 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2024

   Owners describe moments where the accelerator produces no response, the car coasts or drops speed, and multiple dashboard lights come on at once. Some report the engine stalling at a stop or on the highway, or hesitating and then surging into gear. According to complaints, dealers replaced ignition coils in some cases and updated a control module in another, while other owners report no fault found. Most often reported under about 25,000 miles, with a smaller group between 40,000 and 70,000 miles.

   Recall 14V1730001 related service bulletin

   What to check: During a test drive, accelerate from a stop and at highway speed to check for hesitation or a drop in power. Ask whether any ignition coil, throttle or module updates were performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On numerous occasions when I attempt to accelerate, the vehicle does not move forward and feels like it might be jammed. The car will then propel into gear causing my vehicle to skid out. The problem is intermittent. It appears to be happening the worst when making right hand turns. This has resulted in one accident, and two near fatal accidents.”

   NHTSA complaint #11030186, filed 2017-09, 40,000 miles

   “I was driving on the freeway and decided to pass a diesel truck to get over in to the exiting lane on the right.... I started to pass the diesel and realized that I would need to pass faster to make the exit... I pushed the gas pedal in harder to accelerate and as I was picking up speed my car just locked up.... It felt like the car stalled..... And the car went off.... I had to very quickly pull out of the lane and to the side of the road as the car was no longer operating... I narrowly missed being plowed by the diesel truck... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10730474, filed 2015-06, 5,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Parking brake does not hold or engage

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report the parking brake failing to engage or releasing on its own, in a few cases letting a parked car roll. Some describe a brake that binds or squeaks while driving, and others say the car drags from a stop because the brake does not fully release. Several owners say a dealer inspection found no fault or declined the repair, and some state their vehicle was not covered by the parking brake recall. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 75,000 miles, usually while parked on a slope or when setting the brake.

   Recall 17V3930001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Set the parking brake on a slope and confirm the car holds, then release it and check that the car rolls freely. Ask whether the parking brake recall inspection or repair was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On may 7, 2014, at approximately 11:00 pm I parked in a parking space, on a hill, at towson woods apartment complex. I turned the car off with the emergency brake engaged at over 3/4 of the way up. I was standing about 10 feet outside my car, which was off and stationary, talking to a friend for approximately 10-15 minutes when my car started to roll backwards of its own accord. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10597877, filed 2014-06, 1,853 miles

   “Can parking break will not fully engage or becomes disengaged even though parking break handle is lifted. Car will occasionally roll fwd on a hill of break does not engage.car rolled down a hill and even jumped the parking space curbs. Driver was not in the car but break appeared to be set.”

   NHTSA complaint #11288784, filed 2019-12, 75,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Rear brake caliper sticking or dragging

   • 12 complaints (9%)
   • median 56,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2021

   Owners describe a rear wheel that runs hot, squeaks or rubs, sometimes with a popping sound, and brake pads that wear quickly on one side. Some complaints say a mechanic found a rear caliper seized or rusted and in contact with the rotor, requiring replacement of the caliper, rotor and pads. Several owners say the dealer replaced the brakes but the same symptoms returned, and some report being told their vehicle was not covered by a related recall. Mostly reported between roughly 30,000 and 75,000 miles, often noticed after extended driving or on hot pavement.

   Recall 17V3930001 related service bulletin

   What to check: After a test drive, feel each rear wheel for uneven heat and check the rear pads and rotors for one-sided wear. Ask whether calipers were replaced and whether the parking brake recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “July 2018 I noticed the rear passenger wheel getting really hot and making a popping sound after driving it on hot pavement. The brake caliper was stuck and I had to get a new rotor, rear driver's brake caliper and new brake pads. I had to wait 3 weeks for the caliper to come in. The mechanic said it was odd all the other calipers were available for immediate delivery except the rear passenger one. We looked online and noticed a recall but my VIN was not included. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11252054, filed 2019-08, 30,100 miles

   “Loud squeaking after driving about 30 minutes, especially on left turn at low speeds. Squeak disappears with the slightest application of brake or parking break. My left rear wheel is especially affected by this; noticeable heat coming off the left rear after driving. Dealership said they had it on the jacks after they drove it 15 miles and they couldn't even turn it. They don't believe front wheels are affected. I've been telling them something was up with my brakes for months now. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11203285, filed 2019-04, 58,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Gasoline smell from fuel tank area

   • 16 complaints (12%)
   • median 73,500 mi at 9.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2026

   Owners report a fuel odor inside or around the car, most noticeable after parking or after refueling. In some complaints a mechanic traced the smell to a leaking fuel tank seam or a corroded fuel pump module inside the tank, and one owner said the tank had to be replaced. Several owners link the smell to the fuel tank recall but state their vehicle identification number was not included. Reported from a few thousand miles up to well over 100,000 miles; often noticed after the car sits parked overnight.

   Recall 16V684000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel tank recall was performed for the specific vehicle, and check for a fuel smell after the car has been parked and after a fill-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Purchased as new vehicle. From the time of purchase I smelled gasoline in garage after parking overnight. After 1,000 miles/3 months the gas smell became increasingly stronger and gas mileage plummeted from 30 mpg to 18 mpg. Took the car to the dealer for repair. They said the seams of fuel tank were leaking--entire tank had to be replaced; not safe to drive.”

   NHTSA complaint #10714143, filed 2015-05, 2,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2014 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that an abnormal odor was detected while the vehicle was turned on or off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V684000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11511850, filed 2023-03, 115,000 miles

Buying note. Check the recall history for this specific vehicle and confirm which recall repairs were actually completed, since several reported symptoms match open campaigns. A pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the rear brakes and a check for fuel odors will cover the two areas owners mention most often.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.