2016 Mazda MAZDA3 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 6%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, 6% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Air bags and bad tires - I hydroplaned on an interstate and totaled my car and another vehicle. I lost control and hit the other vehicle with the front of my car and continued to go up a 30ft embankment. On the way back down I took out a very large metal light pole with the front of my car and the air bags never deployed. After inspection of my car my tires were bad. I just bought the car brand new in 7 months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #10904570, filed 2016-09, 18,000 miles“The vehicle was in motion, going west, another vehicle in motion hit me, by the time it was over I was facing east and went up a curb and into a wall of a homeowners yard”
NHTSA complaint #11365211, filed 2020-10, 19,000 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the front driver's side door air bag and the front driver's seat air bag deployed. The contact sustained some busies due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and diagnostic testing. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined the failure was the result of an accident. The contact stated that the vehicle was inspected by Progressive Insurance and noted the failure as a mechanical failure by the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11573976, filed 2024-02, 126,000 miles“Nothing has happened yet but Ive done a bunch of research and a lot of the 3rd generation Mazda 3's all have the same airbag code 16 flashing on their dash and it's not on any recall list”
NHTSA complaint #11503213, filed 2023-01“The contact owned a 2016 Mazda 3. The contact was involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The contact was injured and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #10897585, filed 2016-08Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2022 | 12 | 50% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 6 | 6% |
| 2015 | 4 | 3% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 7 | 6% |
| 2012 | 17 | 8% |
| 2011 | 29 | 22% |
| 2010 | 26 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 36 | 16% |
| 2006 | 27 | 16% |
| 2005 | 24 | 25% |
| 2004 | 25 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3
23 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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