2016 Mazda MAZDA3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,330miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, 3% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,330 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.
“My car has 28330 miles. I bought the car two years ago. Last week I was park in from of my house. In the morning, I got in the car and my steering wheel doesn't turn. I took it to Mazda and they want to charge me $3200 to fix this. They won't tell my what happen other than I need a new steering racks. I barely drive this car, never rough, alway service it. This car is too new to have this problem. Mazda will not even try to help me. This car is my lifeline.”
NHTSA complaint #11300597, filed 2020-01, 28,330 miles“My car started shaking and I lost control of the steering. I pulled over as best I could and called a tow truck. The dealership says that rats have chewed through the engine harness and other wiring. They say they have seen dozens of cases in brooklyn and queens just like this. They said that rats are attracted to the coating on the wires. Mazda won't issue a recall or repair the wiring. It is a fire hazard and dangerous to drive. I guess they are waiting for someone to be injured or die before they fix it? My car is 18 months old with 7,062 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11019165, filed 2017-08, 7,062 miles“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda Mazda3.The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various speeds. The contact also stated that the steering wheel felt loose while driving at high speeds, fearing that he would lose control of the vehicle if he did not firmly grip the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11737400, filed 2026-05, 117,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11026350Nov 8, 2025Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three…
- 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…
- 10235414Apr 3, 2023Some vehicles may exhibit wear/peel-off of the leather steering wheel surface causing a poor appearance. This concern may be caused by an insufficient wear resistance of the…
- 10232277Feb 16, 2023Some vehicles may exhibit wear/peel-off of the leather steering wheel surface causing a poor appearance. This concern may be caused by an insufficient wear resistance of the…
- 10210902Apr 5, 2022Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3ð even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10189816Mar 12, 2021Some vehicles may exhibit wear/peel-off of the leather steering wheel surface causing a poor appearance. This concern may be caused by an insufficient wear resistance of the…
- 10186699Jan 26, 2021Some customers may complain that the steering wheel is off center more than 3ð even when driving straight on a flat road.
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10185049Dec 3, 2020Some vehicles may exhibit wear/peel-off of the leather steering wheel surface causing a poor appearance. This concern may be caused by an insufficient wear resistance of the…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 9 | 8% |
| 2012 | 15 | 7% |
| 2011 | 13 | 10% |
| 2010 | 31 | 5% |
| 2009 | 35 | 30% |
| 2008 | 117 | 39% |
| 2007 | 89 | 40% |
| 2006 | 28 | 17% |
| 2005 | 15 | 15% |
| 2004 | 19 | 13% |
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 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 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 27, 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