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Mazda MAZDA3Model year report

2023 Mazda MAZDA3 Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
2,500miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
—not in EPA data

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by other or unknown (3) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 2,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 329 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 124 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 77 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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.

Also reported: Tires (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “On 14th, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on the northbound 55 Freeway near the Katella exit, my vehicle suddenly began to shake violently without any prior warning. In response, I attempted to slow down by applying the brakes; however, the speedometer rapidly increased even as I maintained firm pressure on the brake pedal. Immediately afterward, the vehicle pulled sharply to the left, causing a complete loss of steering control and resulting in a collision with the center median barrier. …”

NHTSA complaint #11712753, filed 2026-01

Other or unknown: “My 2023 Mazda 3 started to have a more terrible and annoying rattle after 3000 miles. The engine will resonate and knock when it reaches a certain speed. The slow speed light throttle acceleration rattles. The most annoying thing is the multiple rattles inside, dash, door panels, and roof. It is like a can in the summer. What’s more terrible is that in the winter, its internal door panels, windows, and dash make a knocking sound like a screw is loose. I went to multiple Mazda dealers and it was obvious that they could not find and fix the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11628034, filed 2024-11

Transmission and drivetrain: “Transmission failure when driving. Car was towed to dealership and diagnosed. Transmission and torque converter replacement required under factory warranty. Very long lead time for dealer to acquire replacement parts, about 4 months.”

NHTSA complaint #11724188, filed 2026-03

Brakes: “Automatic emergency braking suddenly engaged while driving on the highway. The car decelerated abruptly to a complete stop, causing the driver behind to rear-end me. There were no vehicles or obstacles in front of the car when the brakes engaged - the closest car was at least 100 feet in front of me. This collision was clearly the result of a faulty automatic emergency braking system. I do not feel safe driving the car knowing this malfunction could happen again, especially at highway speeds. …”

NHTSA complaint #11522759, filed 2023-05

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 2,500 and 2,500 miles.

100%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 2,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

20237202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2023 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.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
MAZDA3 · hatchback AWD★★★★★5 / 5555 · 10.1% risk
MAZDA3 · sedan AWD★★★★★5 / 5555 · 10.1% risk
MAZDA3 · sedan FWD★★★★★5 / 5555 · 10.1% risk
MAZDA3 · hatchback FWD★★★★★5 / 5555 · 10.1% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2023 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2022: same overall rating; 2024: 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

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 329 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 329 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MAZDA3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20258—15——Too new
2024121,90035——Too new
2023122,50005——Too new
20222427,28705——Rising
2021541,70015—29 · FewerStable
2020322,00025—10 · FewerFalling
2019745,0006——65 · MoreFalling
201811029,85045—35 · FewerRising
20178428,69225—16 · FewerRising
201610436,80665—58 · TypicalRising
201513033,50045—67 · MoreRising
201413834,25045—47 · TypicalRising
201311740,66014279 · FewerFalling
201222639,500142752 · TypicalFalling
201113245,100242737 · TypicalFalling
201068659,0363—2799 · MoreFalling
200911533,6813—2569 · MoreStable
200830340,0462—2679 · MoreFalling
200722273,0002—25Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200616671,0001—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20059765,9152—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200414559,1512—26Not compared (before 2008)Rising

All Mazda MAZDA3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 3.

Has the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2023 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 2023 Mazda MAZDA3 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 2,500 miles and the middle half falls between 2,500 and 2,500 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 28, 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.