2018 Mazda MAZDA3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 11%of 110 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3, 11% of the 110 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 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.
“Purchased a brand new 2018 Mazda 3 2.5l touring hatchback. I had only driven the vehicle as its new owner once, from the dealership back to my home, which was less than 20 miles, when the following occurred: I started the engine for my second trip with the vehicle, and noticed the check engine light was illuminated and remained illuminated. I drove the vehicle around the block and did not experience any unusual driving performance characteristics so I drove to my intended destination which was only 7 miles away. …”
NHTSA complaint #11202646, filed 2019-04, 34 miles“The battery in my 2018 Mazda 3 (touring) has died 3 times in about year's time. After the first time, the dealer said it was just a fluke--that it could have been caused by anything. They put a brand new battery in. After the second battery died, the dealer said that it was because we weren't making long drives in the car. They replaced the battery with a brand new one--and they assured me it wasn't anything else including the alternator (I asked about the alternator specifically). Now, that battery has died. I will call the dealer tomorrow to have a fourth battery installed.... …”
NHTSA complaint #11325490, filed 2020-05, 4,000 miles“I have a 2018 Mazda 3. On two occasions in the span of one month, my car has acted like it was going to stall out when I was stopping at a red light. It doesn’t stall out, but the car will idle like it’s about to stall. When starting the vehicle it is kind of sluggish at times. Battery has been tested and it is fine. I’ve had the car for five years and it has 60,000 miles on it. No issues until recently.”
NHTSA complaint #11530562, filed 2023-07“I was driving my car and it suddenly jerks a few times and the engine light turns on. i slowed down and then began to accelerate, and it was losing power and wouldn’t t go above 40mph - even while flooring the gas pedal. Now it won’t start at all. the lights turn on and everything else is fine, but car won’t start and after checking CEL, i’m getting the code p0192 indicating it’s Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Low Input.”
NHTSA complaint #11523583, filed 2023-05“I was parked in a downtown garage, and the vehicle would not start after many attempts, after about 45 minutes of trying (waiting 5 minutes between tries). The engine would turn normally and sounded like it was trying to start, but didn't fully engage. It finally did after 45 mins, and I drove it to the local Mazda dealer in Honolulu. I noticed the check-engine light was on at that time (but not before the incident). They ran a diagnosis, and couldn't replicate the issue, and said it may be a battery problem with low voltage, due to the engine's error codes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11616920, filed 2024-09Related service bulletins
- 11036688Aug 10, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation…
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g…
- 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…
- 11032101Apr 16, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is…
- 11030636Mar 11, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water…
- 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…
- 11011341Nov 18, 2024CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a…
- 11011338Nov 18, 2024CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a…
- 11011336Nov 18, 2024CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a…
- 11011331Nov 12, 2024CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 17% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 19 | 35% |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 11 | 15% |
| 2018 | 12 | 11% |
| 2017 | 5 | 6% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 6 | 5% |
| 2014 | 13 | 9% |
| 2013 | 11 | 9% |
| 2012 | 32 | 14% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 22 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 16 | 5% |
| 2007 | 22 | 10% |
| 2006 | 17 | 10% |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 | 4 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3
30 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBrakes
6 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 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