2016 Mazda MAZDA3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 9%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, 9% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,900 miles. 1 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.
“I was driving home from work on 2-16-2021, all of a sudden with out warning, every warning and information light light up like a xmas tree, the power steering went away making it hard to drive, the engine ran in limp mode., I manage to get it pulled off to a safe spot , turn off the car, and then try to restart . No go , dead the dash lights light up but the starter will not engage . Towed to dealer, 1st they says its the engine computer, then its the , transmission computer . …”
NHTSA complaint #11399552, filed 2021-03, 39,900 miles“My car twice in one day shifted out of gear and became unresponsive when I tried to use the accelerator. I was on a surface street making a u turn the first time, and had made a right turn the second time. I took it to my mechanic after the first time it happened. He told me it was the module in my automatic transmission that was sending a faulty signal. There is a recall for other 2016 Mazda 3 vehicles for this problem, but my VIN isn't included, so a Mazda dealer I called refused to fix it unless I paid for it.”
NHTSA complaint #11243121, filed 2019-08, 50,000 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“This vehicle cannot tolerate even the slightest bit of slush or snow or ice on the road. The wheels start to spin and it goes nowhere. Many times in light wintery conditions, the vehicle failed to handle the winter conditions, especially on any kind of an incline, and my whole county is located on one big incline. This vehicle is supposed to have full time traction control. That's laughable. On the slightest incline with 1/4 of slush on the road, we were forced to turn around and take a route that is flat. The car just cannot handle it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11163747, filed 2018-12, 26,000 miles“The clutch failed at 7000 miles. Dealer, hennessey Mazda in atlanta suburbs, denies responsibility, will not honor warranty, attributes failure to driver misuse. Driver denies 'riding the clutch and majority of use was highway travel. Dealer quoted repair cost at $1600, later reduced to $1126. Clutch failed at traffic light near residence. Driver was then unable to shift into first gear; car became disabled at traffic intersection.”
NHTSA complaint #10968198, filed 2017-03, 7,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032003May 1, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the…
- 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…
- 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…
- 11026351Nov 6, 2025Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a…
- 11009654Oct 24, 2024The SKYACTIV-DRIVE FW6A-EL AT uses “Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) Type: FZ”. Only use “ATF-FZ” to fill or top off the fluid level. ATF-FZ is specially designed for use in…
- 11007010Aug 7, 2024Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a…
- 10252507Mar 6, 2024Due to limitations, certain vehicles from 2016 to current models might display an inaccurate transmission part number in the Global Electronic Parts Catalog (GEPC). To provide…
- 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…
- 10237199May 17, 2023Some vehicles may experience the check engine light and automatic transaxle warning light ON with one or more of these DTCs stored in the TCM memory (P0842, P0847, P0872, P0877…
- 10225767Oct 17, 2022The new SKYACTIV-DRIVE FW6A-EL AT uses "Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) Type: FZ". Only use "ATF-FZ" to fill or top off the fluid level. ATF-FZ is specially designed for use…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 3 | 25% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 5 | 5% |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% |
| 2016 | 9 | 9% |
| 2015 | 5 | 4% |
| 2014 | 7 | 5% |
| 2013 | 18 | 15% |
| 2012 | 40 | 18% |
| 2011 | 12 | 9% |
| 2010 | 40 | 6% |
| 2009 | 6 | 5% |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% |
| 2007 | 17 | 8% |
| 2006 | 21 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 24 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3
23 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
12 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 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