2020 Mazda MAZDA3 Problems
Compared with other Mazda MAZDA3 years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
10/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.4× that of a typical Mazda MAZDA3 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 17 of its 32 complaints were filed by the end of 2022.
- Most reported part: Forward collision avoidance (15 complaints, median 5,653 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 32filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 2,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- —not in EPA data
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3. The part named most often is forward collision avoidance, with 15 complaints (47% of the total), followed by brakes (3) and electrical system (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 2,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 726 technical service bulletins for this model year. Forward collision avoidance complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 22 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the caliper and 32 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 13 Mazda MAZDA3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 10 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 9.4%
- Electrical system3 9.4%
- Other or unknown3 9.4%
- Steering3 9.4%
- Fuel system2 6.3%
- Lane departure2 6.3%
- Suspension2 6.3%
- Engine1 3.1%
- Equipment1 3.1%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Forward collision avoidance: “I was driving my vehicle straight ahead on a two-way city street with no other vehicles in front or on my sides. I was traveling at a speed of 40 MPH. The two-way street is separated by a concrete divider and trolly tracks. A brake! Alert appeared on the display screen followed by beeps. Suddenly the brakes were engaged bringing the vehicle to a complete stop causing the vehicle behind to come to a screeching halt. In a few seconds I was able to drive off.”
NHTSA complaint #11402806, filed 2021-03, 9,706 milesBrakes: “My car's automatic emergency brake is deploying without warning, during driving, when there are no other cars in my forward proximity. I took it to the dealership to have it fixed, and on the drive home, it did it again. There is a recall for similar makes and models for this year, but my car has not been included.”
NHTSA complaint #11539401, filed 2023-08Electrical system: “Google search shows Mazda has common problem with their front sensing camera, people are reporting the issue for different Mazda models across the board for the last few years including newer models as well. My car display shows few malfunction warning messages. Following captured from MyMazda app. 1. Forward sensing camera malfunction. i-ACTIVESENSE advanced safety and driver support systems may not operate correctly. 2. High Beam Control System is disabled. Automatic switching between high and low beams is unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #11594653, filed 2024-06Other or unknown: “My vehicle is less then a year old and has less than 10000 miles on it. The paint is chipping extremely easily. Within the first month I had 3 chips in the paint all the way down to bare metal on the doors. I bought a paint touch up pen from Mazda and filled then in. Now, a few months later I filled in 17, yes 17 more on my hood. I didnt even count the chips in the paint on my bumper. This is absurd, my other vehilce that is 17 years on and has over 150k miels has 2 hood chips!! And it's driven the same amount.”
NHTSA complaint #11399487, filed 2021-03, 9,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,600 and 9,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAZDA3 · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| MAZDA3 · hatchback AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| MAZDA3 · sedan FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| MAZDA3 · hatchback FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2020 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2021: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
- 20V346000Jun 12, 2020Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › CaliperCovers: Mazda MAZDA3 2020, CX-30 2020
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.
- 19V907000Dec 19, 2019Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency brakingCovers: Mazda MAZDA3 2019–2020
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
Recall details for the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 726 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037900Sep 17, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. Mazda Connected Services - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are noted in Red text.
- 11037899Sep 11, 2026Electrical system. DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if…
- 11037634Sep 10, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 08/18/26 and 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any…
- 11037018Sep 4, 2026Exterior lighting, Engine, Other or unknown, Electrical…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the…
- 11037012Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown, Electrical system. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued Service Alerts listed below: The changes are noted in Red. Infotainment Reboot With Navigation Card Installed This Service Information is no…
- 11037019Aug 19, 2026Electrical system, Other or unknown. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-039/26 06/15/26 Mazda Connect Symptom Troubleshooting DESCRIPTION Customers having MAZDA…
- 11037011Aug 19, 2026Electrical system, Wheels. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-006/23 01/23/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about the infotainment…
- 11037010Aug 18, 2026Other or unknown. DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus showing expired even though the customer purchased a paid subscription. SiriusXM audio packages do not include…
- 11036688Aug 10, 2026Engine. This 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 of dried coolant (1)…
- 11035595Jul 8, 2026Steering, Electrical system. DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain that the electric power steering warning light illuminates after engine start and DTC U2011:1C is stored. Zinc-plated whisker may form inside the EPS motor…
Other model years of the Mazda MAZDA3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | — | 1 | 5 | — | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 12 | 1,900 | 3 | 5 | — | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 12 | 2,500 | 0 | 5 | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 24 | 27,287 | 0 | 5 | — | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 54 | 1,700 | 1 | 5 | — | 29 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2020 | 32 | 2,000 | 2 | 5 | — | 10 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2019 | 74 | 5,000 | 6 | — | — | 65 · More | Falling |
| 2018 | 110 | 29,850 | 4 | 5 | — | 35 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 84 | 28,692 | 2 | 5 | — | 16 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 104 | 36,806 | 6 | 5 | — | 58 · Typical | Rising |
| 2015 | 130 | 33,500 | 4 | 5 | — | 67 · More | Rising |
| 2014 | 138 | 34,250 | 4 | 5 | — | 47 · Typical | Rising |
| 2013 | 117 | 40,660 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 9 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 226 | 39,500 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 132 | 45,100 | 2 | 4 | 27 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 686 | 59,036 | 3 | — | 27 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 115 | 33,681 | 3 | — | 25 | 69 · More | Stable |
| 2008 | 303 | 40,046 | 2 | — | 26 | 79 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 222 | 73,000 | 2 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 166 | 71,000 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 97 | 65,915 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 145 | 59,151 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
All Mazda MAZDA3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 have?
NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 is reported most often?
Forward collision avoidance is named most often, in 15 complaints (47% of the total), followed by brakes with 3.
Has the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
At what mileage are problems with the 2020 Mazda MAZDA3 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 2,000 miles and the middle half falls between 1,600 and 9,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.