2018 Mazda MAZDA3 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3, 5% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,000 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.
“My car automatically applies its brakes when it shouldn't be. I was driving at a speed of around 60 MPH following a pickup truck. The truck starts flashing to turn right, I started to brake a little, my speed was reduced to around 40-45 MPH... Just when I was ready to hit the gas pedal again, because the truck has fully completed his turn ( was all the way on the other street)... My Mazda 3 2018 hit the emergency brake to slow the car really fast to around 10 MPH !!! There was absolutely no risk of a crash, my girl friend was in shock, she didn't understand what happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #11337318, filed 2020-07, 2,000 miles“I had a scary safety issue with my 2018 Mazda 3 yesterday. I had left the car running so that my dog would have A/C. My car is has standard transmission. I pulled up the emergency brake button but as I was exiting the car my dog accidentally put her paw on the emergency brake button and the car started going backwards. Thank goodness I was able to reach in and pull the emergency brake button back up. This could have been a tragedy, not only potentially damaging my car and other people's property but god forbid my car rolled into a person. This emergency brake is a serious safety hazard. …”
NHTSA complaint #11268307, filed 2019-10, 7,000 miles“The rear brake pads on my 2018 Mazda 3 have worn out prematurely, thinning to as little as 2MM in just 40,000 miles, while my front brakes are still 6MM. Brand new brakes are 10MM. I have heard the exact same complaint from the owner of a 2016 Mazda 3, which is the same generation. In the majority of cars, front brakes are supposed to wear our faster than the rear, so this is definitely a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11505184, filed 2023-02“Only rear brakes severely corroded and near failure at 13200 miles despite routine washing and regular maintenance at dealership, while the front brakes are pristine. Rear brake noises began at 13200 miles and was mentioned to dealer during routine maintnenace at 13283 miles. Dealership refuses to accept this is a manufacturing defect and tries to blame environment for unusual corrosion after 2 years. Escalated to Mazda USA pending. …”
NHTSA complaint #11421470, filed 2021-06Related 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 2018 Mazda MAZDA3
30 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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