2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 Engine Problems

12 NHTSA complaints on file

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Engine Issues in the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3

12 engine complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.

12
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths

All Engine Complaints

#11700428 |
My 2018 Mazda 3 has an intermittent electrical failure on the high-speed CAN network that causes multiple safety-critical systems to fail while driving. When the fault occurs, the dash lights up with warnings for powertrain, ABS/traction, lane departure, collision-avoidance, TPMS, immobilizer, and the check-engine light. The car also hesitates or “lurches” between 15–30 mph during these events. At one point in 2024, the vehicle went into limp mode on the freeway, creating a safety hazard. These failures are intermittent but repeatable. Diagnostic scans from 2023–2025 show multiple U-codes for lost communication between control modules; two later became permanent. The issue appears unrelated to any one component and affects many systems at once. The vehicle has been to every Mazda dealership in the North Texas region (Mesquite, Freeman, Hiley, Norm Reeves, Town North). All performed only basic scans; none completed a full CAN-bus or wiring-harness diagnostic. Town North kept the vehicle...
#11694610 |
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The high-pressure fuel pump failed. This component failure prevents the car from starting or staying running. The check engine code confirmed the high-pressure fuel pump failure. The failed component is currently at the Mazda dealership and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk The car suddenly stalled while driving on the roadway, creating a dangerous situation. If this had happened on the freeway or in fast-moving traffic, it could have led to a serious accident. Losing power and control of the vehicle at higher speeds poses a major safety risk to both the driver and surrounding vehicles. I was fortunate that the failure occurred on a city street rather than on the freeway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or...
#11616920 |
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. But I questioned that since the engine was able to turn normally and adequately at all starting attempts. And the battery was only 2 years old. So I replaced the battery at their recommendation. About 2 hours after picking up the car from the dealer, the same issue...
#11550844 |
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at 65 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his girlfriend was able to safely drive the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with rod knocks. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
#11547417 |
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who determined that there was no oil in the engine. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
#11530562 |
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.
#11523583 |
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.
#11499959 |
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's husband added fuel to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted 15 minutes later. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated because there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred upon shifting from reverse(R) to drive (D). The power train warning light and several unknown waring lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the...
#11419256 |
On March 29, 2021, I had my 2018 Mazda 3 serviced, oil and filter chance, and inspection, at my local Auto repair shop. They indicated that the belt tensioner and belt needed replacement, due to oil leaking, from the tensioner, on to the belt. I got concerned because the vehicle only had 11,523, and the warranty ran out a few weeks earlier. I emailed Mazda several times, and asked, due to the low mileage, and close to warranty expiration, for their dealer to inspect the vehicle, and if needed, replace the tensioner and belt, both free of charge to me. They declined to grant me that courtesy.
#11325490 |
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.... THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY--EITHER IN OUR GARAGE OR DRIVEWAY--WHEN WE REALIZED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECORDS OF MY VARIOUS VISITS TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP, PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR
#11202646 |
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. WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE TO MAKE MY WAY BACK I NOTICED THAT NOW FIVE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH CORRESPONDED TO THE FOLLOWING WARNING GUIDANCES: AN ENGINE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, A DSC MALFUNCTION, A TPMS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, ALONG WITH TWO SCBS MALFUNCTION WARNINGS. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, I FOUND THAT THE ENGINE WAS CLEARLY NOT RUNNING...
#11191637 | Crash 1 Death
ON 2/14/19 BETWEEN 2:30 AND 3 P.M., MY MOTHER (MELISSA DODSON) WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE (A 2004 GMC ENVOY) THAT RESULTED IN BEING DOA. SHE WAS DRIVING A 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 SPORT FOUR DR AND TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON EAST HANOVER RD IN GRAHAM, NC AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE UNSUBSTANTIATED POLICE REPORT, IT STATED THAT MY MOTHER'S CAR VEERED/CROSSED THE DOUBLE YELLOW LINE BEFORE IMPACT. HOWEVER, THE ENVOY WAS REPORTEDLY DOING 55 MPH UPON ENTERING THE "S" CURVE SECTION OF THE NARROW 35 MPH TWO-LANE ROAD (WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE CRASH). IN MY MUST HUMBLING OPINION, I HAVE REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS MORE TO THE ACCIDENT CAUSING MY MOTHER'S DEATH THAT GRAHAM POLICE IS NOT INVESTIGATING OR HAS NOT INVESTIGATED. WHAT I MEAN IS THAT I HAVE REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS STILL AN OPEN RECALL ON...
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