2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
152
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
105
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 has received a total of 152 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, PARKING BRAKE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. 105 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes (26 complaints), Unknown Or Other (26 complaints), and Electrical System (23 complaints).
Recalls for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3, potentially affecting up to 495,809 vehicles.
Recall 23V487000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 236,100 vehicles affected
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September...
View full details →Recall 17V393000 — PARKING BRAKE
| 227,814 vehicles affected
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Consequence: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners...
View full details →Recall 16V684000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 17,484 vehicles affected
Defect: Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500....
View full details →Recall 15V621000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 14,411 vehicles affected
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground...
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
152 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 26 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention Sensing System Camera | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System12v24v48v Battery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Fuel leaking out of top of tank. Took car to two different shops. They both told me about a recall on the gas tank. They did every test possible and replaced O ring. Even did smoke evap system test. Tank still leaks from the top when full. They said the tank needs replaced. There is a recall for the year make and model but not my VIN?
Description On 12-15-2025, in 18°F weather, the vehicle was parked on a residential sloped driveway with the manual parking brake fully engaged. While the driver was outside the vehicle, the parking brake system failed to hold the car’s weight. The vehicle rolled backward, crashed through a wooden railing, teetering on a 4-foot retaining wall, and came to rest over a culvert. Two young children were inside the vehicle at the time of the failure. Component Failure & Availability: The manual parking brake system failed to provide sufficient holding force to secure the vehicle. The rear brake calipers are currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: The safety of the two children inside the vehicle was put at extreme risk due to the unexpected movement of the car. This failure matches the exact conditions and consequences described in Safety Recall 1217F (NHTSA Campaign 17V-393), which states that "unexpected movement of the vehicle if parked on a slope" increases the risk of a collision. Reproducibility & Confirmation: The failure occurred under the specific environmental triggers (cold temperature and slope) identified in the manufacturer's own safety recall documentation. However, the manufacturer has officially refused to authorize the internal teardown of the actuator shafts—the only diagnostic method capable of verifying the rust and sliding resistance that causes this loss of holding force. Inspections: The vehicle has been visually inspected by an authorized dealership and insurance representatives. The manufacturer has declined the necessary internal mechanical diagnostics to verify the internal defect. Warning Symptoms: There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The parking brake felt fully engaged at the time the vehicle was parked.
Catalytic converter keeps giving me check engine
I had purchased a car through Facebook Marketplace after talking to the seller and seeing a CarFax report on the car we decided to purchase it. After coming home the following day I look closer at the documents and realized the CarFax did not match the VIN of the car I purchased. After looking up the CarFax with the VIN on the car I purchased I saw that the person who sold me the car had rolled back the odometer.
Safety Rating for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| 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 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 105 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SA-037-25 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When replacing the MAZDA CONNECT tuner and amp unit (TAU) with a replacement tuner for any reason, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing Radio ID and the new/replacement SAT Radio ID as soon as possible to ensure the customer leaves the dealership with an active...
CSP13 Dealer Letter — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CSP13 - CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM - MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION As a result of a Mazda Connect Infotainment Class Action settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to implement a Customer Service Program (CSP13). The coverage and terms for vehicles are listed below in this Dealer email and...
07-003-24 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Some customers may complain that the ambient temperature on the instrument cluster is displayed more than 50 °F (10 °C) lower than the actual temperature, resulting in insufficient performance of the air conditioning. This is caused by inappropriate soldering in the ambient temperature sensor. To eliminate this concern, the soldering...
SA-011-24 — WHEELS
Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded...
06-001-23 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Some vehicles may exhibit wear/peel-off of the leather steering wheel surface causing a poor appearance. This concern may be caused by an insufficient wear resistance of the steering wheel surface.
RF-23-03 — STRUCTURE
Due to a supplier change in Dec 2022, bonnet part number BHY0-52-31XA (with seam sealer) will be discontinued and replaced by new part number BAY0-52-31X which does not contain seam sealer. Seam sealer will need to be applied when the hood is being replaced at a collision center/service center.
SA-001-23 — EQUIPMENT
Some customers may complain about infotainment center display: - Ghost Touch - DTC B108E:04 may be stored (Touch screen operates by itself) - Surface Peeling - DTC B108E:04 may be stored - Spider Cracks - White dots IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT replace the infotainment center display assembly. Low cost repair...
SA-001-22d — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Use the symptom troubleshooting tables below to diagnose MAZDA CONNECT concerns.
SA-050-22 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Some customers may complain that their liftgate does not open. This can mean a range of things, from the liftgate not unlatching to the power liftgate (PLG) not opening automatically. If you confirm that the customer's concern is that the liftgate does not unlatch correctly, follow the repair information below
SA-041-22 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT
Some customers may complain about infotainment center display: Ghost touch, surface peeling, spider cracks. Repair kits are available to replace just the screen. There is no need to replace the entire infotainment display unit.
Showing 10 of 105 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MAZDA MAZDA3
- 2010 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 918 complaints
- 2011 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 179 complaints
- 2012 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 328 complaints
- 2013 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 176 complaints
- 2014 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 174 complaints
- 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 (current)
- 2016 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 136 complaints
- 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 104 complaints
- 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 137 complaints
- 2019 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 116 complaints
- 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 49 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