2016 Mazda MAZDA3 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 17%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,735miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, 17% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,735 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My passenger rear caliper froze causing the pad on the outboard side to wear down to metal while the inboard pad still had half of its life left. This is behavior similar to NHTSA recall 17v393000 but my VIN does not fall within the parameters of the recall. The vehicle has 58,000 miles on it and is driven mainly on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11149591, filed 2018-11, 58,000 miles“I parked at the top of my driveway at a slight incline position with the emergency brake engaged and the car was in second gear (manual transmission). It was in a stationary position at that time. My family exited the vehicle and we went inside our home. Approximately a half our later I notice my car rolled down my driveway and crashed in between two trees on my property. Either the emergency brake failed or the car's transmission failed while parked. The car was found at the bottom of my property still in gear and had the emergency brake in the engaged position.”
NHTSA complaint #11376902, filed 2020-11, 26,000 miles“Car serviced per recall, NHTSA camp. No. 17v393000, mar. 2018. Dealer stated no corrosion on ramp shaft found, so boots installed w/out caliper replacement. Car brought to dealer jun. 2018 b/c rear brake indicator squealing. Dealer found that piston (post-recall) had bound for unknown reason. Dealer replaced caliper. Owner tested parking brake lever on old caliper and verified it was not binding. …”
NHTSA complaint #11101388, filed 2018-06, 12,000 miles“In august I received notice of a safety recall because of a brake problem. The letter instructed us to wait for notification that parts are available. It has been nearly two months since I got the notification. I have called the company, and they tell me that the parts are still not available. Because the brakes are an important part of safety, it seems to me that Mazda has not performed the repairs in a timely manner.”
NHTSA complaint #11033404, filed 2017-10“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the parking brake became firm and failed to engage as needed, causing the rear passenger’s side brake pads to not respond as needed after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (PARKING BRAKE). The contact stated that the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the temperature of the brakes and noticed that the brakes were hotter than normal. A dealer was contacted. …”
NHTSA complaint #11637981, filed 2025-01, 188,900 milesRelated recalls
- 17V393000Jun 22, 2017Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper…Covers: Mazda MAZDA3 2014–2016, MAZDA6 2014–2015
Related 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…
- 11026353Nov 26, 2025Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 11009644Oct 5, 2024Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 11007009Aug 21, 2024Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 11003396Jun 7, 2024Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 10252508Mar 8, 2024Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10243568Sep 15, 2023Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
- 10232304Feb 9, 2023Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. The newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground…
- 10230875Jan 11, 2023Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging. If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 2 | 17% |
| 2021 | 5 | 9% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 15 | 20% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 28 | 22% |
| 2014 | 26 | 19% |
| 2013 | 15 | 13% |
| 2012 | 14 | 6% |
| 2011 | 4 | 3% |
| 2010 | 38 | 6% |
| 2009 | 8 | 7% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% |
| 2005 | 6 | 6% |
| 2004 | 28 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3
23 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsAir bags
6 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 30, 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