2016 Mazda MAZDA3 Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,406miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Mazda MAZDA3, 7% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,406 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Front control module whch apparently controls my wipers stopped working and I cannot drive in certain weather conditions. I was driving home after work I work nights it was around 3 am and it was pouring ran outside when my wipers stopped working and I was stuck on the side of the road for over 2 hours . It happened two days after my warranty expired, Mazda refused to help me.”
NHTSA complaint #11151344, filed 2018-11, 36,112 miles“When driving any time the sun is out, reflections from the dash against the inside of the windshield are very pronounced and can significantly effect visibility. I have been driving for more than 50 years and I know all cars have the phenomenon on occasion. Unfortunately this Mazda 3 restricts vision as I have described every day the sun is out for 90% of the driving time. It is more than a distraction, I believe it is a hazard and accidents will occur because of it.”
NHTSA complaint #10924991, filed 2016-11, 1,000 miles“All of the windows have bubbles and ripples in the factory tint which causes poor visibility. The windows have to be rolled down to to see oncoming traffic. The ripples and bubbles are so bad that you can't see out of the rear view or side view mirrors which could easily cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11363942, filed 2020-10, 32,700 miles“The windshield wipers work but the washer does not squirt the windshield washing fluid out and it the reservoir is full of fluid but there are certain days in which I need that to work because my visibility is greatly reduced which has made the risk of accident that much greater. it says there is a recall pertaining to this problem and the fix was a relay However nothing comes up for my specific car when I enter the Vin but I would like this problem fixed and I’m not sure how to go about it”
NHTSA complaint #11429167, filed 2021-08Related recalls
- 19V272000Apr 4, 2019Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to…Covers: Mazda MAZDA3 2016–2018
Related service bulletins
- 10243569Sep 13, 2023Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10240431Jul 27, 2023Some vehicles may exhibit a distorted image or no image from the rear mount camera when shifted into reverse. Due to friction, the coating of camera socket terminals may wear…
- 10240427Jul 19, 2023Be advised that TSB "09-031/20 - REAR MOUNT CAMERA IMAGE NOT CLEAR/NO IMAGE ON SCREEN" is no longer valid and has been superseded by "RECALL 6023G - 2014-2018 MAZDA3 AND…
- 10233704Mar 1, 2023Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
- 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…
- 10198691Jun 7, 2021Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
- 10198574Jun 1, 2021Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage when parked near a glass building. This may be caused by the suns reflection. If a building creates enough of a curve with…
- 10213453Mar 16, 2021Mazda connect "no signal" message in reverse
- 10213452Mar 16, 2021Intermittent no crank/no start Some customers may complain about an intermittent no crank/no start. This may be caused by a poor instrument panel wiring harness connection C12…
- 10180668Sep 21, 2020Some vehicles may exhibit a distorted image or no image from the rear mount camera when shifted into reverse. Due to friction, the coating of camera socket terminals may wear…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 17% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 11% |
| 2018 | 16 | 15% |
| 2017 | 5 | 6% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 6 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 4% |
| 2013 | 3 | 3% |
| 2012 | 9 | 4% |
| 2011 | 8 | 6% |
| 2010 | 109 | 16% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 15 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
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 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 28, 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