2013 MAZDA MAZDA3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
176
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
62
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3 has received a total of 176 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. 62 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lighting (34 complaints), Electrical System (32 complaints), and Power Train (18 complaints).
Recalls for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3, potentially affecting up to 580,455 vehicles.
Recall 16V644000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
| 580,455 vehicles affected
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and 2013-2016 CX-5 vehicles manufactured December 15, 2011, to December 26, 2015. On the affected...
Consequence: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3
176 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlightsconcealment Devices | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The Brake Pedal consistently malfunctions, even after the replacement of the master cylinder (by independent service center). The master cylinder does not hold pressure due to a faulty ABS control unit (which, when Mazda was contacted, said that part was on backorder until September). If the manufacturer knows this is an issue and can't supply the part due to so many replacements needed in their vehicle, why is there no recall? There is no warning to the driver on the dashboard of this issue and has causes repeated issues while breaking.
There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 Mazda 3 with Skyactive Technology and I noticed that when I was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB on this issue (attached) and Mazda is well aware of this happening. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output controlled by the PCM when the battery is under a heavy load. They are to the point now of charging people for a doing the TSB on the car that is causing the problem of the alternator not producing the proper wattage to support both the headlights and the brake lights at the same time. There are numerous online forum entries that speak of this issue with 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3's. I am very concerned that my headlights may stop working which could result in my death or the death of my occupants of my vehicle not to mention the other motorists on the road around me if my head lights were to eventually fail at night due to lack of proper wattage to the headlights. There are videos on you tube that show these pulsing headlights on Mazda's. I believe that headlights are important enough safety issue that their failing could result in death if the headlights completely failed due to the known fault in these vehicles over time.
There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 Mazda 3 with Skyactive Technology and I noticed that when I was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB on this issue (attached) and Mazda is well aware of this happening. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output controlled by the PCM when the battery is under a heavy load. They are to the point now of charging people for a doing the TSB on the car that is causing the problem of the alternator not producing the proper wattage to support both the headlights and the brake lights at the same time. There are numerous online forum entries that speak of this issue with 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3's. I am very concerned that my headlights may stop working which could result in my death or the death of my occupants of my vehicle not to mention the other motorists on the road around me if my head lights were to eventually fail at night due to lack of proper wattage to the headlights. There are videos on you tube that show these pulsing headlights on Mazda's. I believe that headlights are important enough safety issue that their failing could result in death if the headlights completely failed due to the known fault in these vehicles over time.
Transmission Control Module malfunction. The AT light came on and the car made a jerking motion and a clunking noise. It lost power and would not shift which is very dangerous in moving traffic. It put me at risk for getting hit by another vehicle not expecting the abrupt change in speed by my vehicle. The check engine light is now lit up. There were no warning lights before the vehicle’s transmission malfunctioned. A code came up on the vehicle when tested. U0101 lost communication with TCM. From what I have read, researched, and have been told this issue is very common for certain years of Mazda 3’s including mine.
The contact owns a 2013 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V644000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Safety Rating for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3 received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3
Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 62 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SA-020-25a — WHEELS
There have been warranty claims submitted for growling or bearing whine noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel bearing. This misdiagnosis can lead to multiple repair attempts, warranty debits, and additional inconvenience and/or cost to the customer. To reduce the chance...
09-046-17-3401 — STRUCTURE:BODY
DASHBOARD UPPER PANEL WARPING. This TSB has been superseded to SSPA9.
MT-014-17 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Whenever you are reprogramming a PCM or any other module, always use the GR8 Battery Charger in the Power Supply mode to prevent the battery from discharging.
SSPA9 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Mazda Motor Corporation is extending the warranty coverage for specific repair of instrument panel on certain 2010-2013 Mazda3 vehicles produced from May 6, 2010 through July 19, 2013. The warranty coverage for instrument panel replacement due to warping or a gap is extended to 7 years (84 months) from the...
SSPA9 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Mazda Motor Corporation is extending the warranty coverage for specific repair of instrument panel on certain 2010-2013 Mazda3 vehicles produced from May 6, 2010 through July 19, 2013. The warranty coverage for instrument panel replacement due to warping or a gap is extended to 7 years (84 months) from the...
SSPA9 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Mazda Motor Corporation is extending the warranty coverage for specific repair of instrument panel on certain 2010-2013 Mazda3 vehicles produced from May 6, 2010 through July 19, 2013. The warranty coverage for instrument panel replacement due to warping or a gap is extended to 7 years (84 months) from the...
SSPA9 — EQUIPMENT
Gap between Instrument Panel and Information Display Warranty Extension Program - Special Service Program (SSP) A9
09-009-17-3302 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Some vehicles may exhibit navigation unit that cannot read out SMS (Short Messages Service) or does not operate properly after reading SMS. These concerns may be caused by problems with the Bluetooth Unit software.
09-009-17-3302 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Some vehicles may exhibit navigation unit that cannot read out SMS (Short Messages Service) or does not operate properly after reading SMS. These concerns may be caused by problems with the Bluetooth Unit software.
09-050-16-3243 — STRUCTURE
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE DASHBOARD UPPER PANEL JUST ABOVE THE INFORMATION DISPLAY (A) IS WARPING, GENERATING A GAP (B). REPLACE DASHBOARD.
Showing 10 of 62 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MAZDA MAZDA3
- 2008 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 387 complaints
- 2009 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 140 complaints
- 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 918 complaints
- 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 179 complaints
- 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 328 complaints
- 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3 (current)
- 2014 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 174 complaints
- 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 152 complaints
- 2016 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 136 complaints
- 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 104 complaints
- 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 137 complaints
Other MAZDA Models
- MAZDA 626 — 3,877 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-5 — 3,005 total complaints
- MAZDA MAZDA6 — 2,906 total complaints
- MAZDA TRIBUTE — 2,830 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-9 — 1,786 total complaints
- MAZDA CX-7 — 1,539 total complaints
- MAZDA PROTEGE — 1,377 total complaints
- MAZDA MPV — 1,156 total complaints