2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
49
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
192
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 has received a total of 49 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 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING. 192 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking (13 complaints), Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings (9 complaints), and Electrical System (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3, potentially affecting up to 59,427 vehicles.
Recall 20V346000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
| 24,037 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24,...
View full details →Recall 19V907000 — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
| 35,390 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge....
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3
49 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Warning | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentotherlabels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane Departure Assist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
My Mazda3 began producing a chirp when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (automatic transmission). The dealer stated that the car needed a new torque converter. At the time the car only 37,000 miles on it, quite low mileage for a torque converter to fail. Mazda has previously admitted to producing cars with faulty torque converters, as specified in Mazda TXXXXXX] ). While my car fit the description of both the problem and proposed fix, and also fell within the applicable models/VINs listed on the TSB, Mazda corporate HQ stated that my specific VIN was not covered by the TSB, and therefore the repair cost was my responsibility. Since the problem, solution, and general vehicle type are entirely as described in the TSB, it appears possible that the TSB was too narrowly scoped and omitted impacted vehicles, to the detriment of owners. This would also cause potential safety concerns, since an unrepaired torque converter could produce unexpected shifting problems. Therefore I suggest that NHTSA investigate to determine if additional vehicles are impacted by Mazda's faulty torque converters. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I pulled into the driveway (at about 5 mph) of my passenger's home, when a very loud, metallic pop occurred somewhere inside my vehicle. I could not discern the problem by visually inspecting the car. Upon returning to my home, I arranged for the dealership to inspect the car's suspension. They found that both rear springs had snapped off from their lower vehicle attachment points. At the time of the incident, my car was less than 6 years old and had approximately 62500 total miles. I had the dealership replace both rear springs and associated attachment hardware. Prior to this failure, the dealership had routinely inspected the suspension of my vehicle as part of PA annual inspections. I experienced NO warning symptoms prior to the suspension failure.
TSB 02-003/24 Car front suspension bolts corroded and making metal on metal sounds during turning and braking
TSB 02-003/24 Car front suspension bolts corroded and making metal on metal sounds during turning and braking
See attached document for complaint.
View all Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking complaints →
Safety Rating for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3
The 2020 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 | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
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 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3
Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 192 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SSPD8 Repair b — ENGINE
SSPD8 - Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00 - WARRANTY EXTENSION For certain 2018-2025MY CX-5, 2019-2023MY Mazda3, 2019-2022MY CX-3, 2018-2021MY Mazda6, 2020-2023MY CX-30 that are equipped with the suspected coolant control valve, the warranty coverage for specific repair of the fail-safe thermostat is extended to: 15 years (180 months)...
07-001-26 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Some customers may hear a repeating click sound when using the HVAC system (Auto A/C equipped vehicles only). The click sound may be caused by the air mix doors moving back and forth. This concern has been eliminated by a dash-electrical supply unit control software modification.
09-040-25 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Some customers may experience rear subwoofer audio sound pauses intermittently at high volume levels. When the volume level is lowered, the subwoofer audio sound resumes. The actual volume level may vary depending on the audio source. If the audio source consists of many low frequency (40 - 70 Hz) sounds,...
09-012-25 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Some vehicles may experience a sunvisor that does not stay in the fully retracted position (as shown below). The left and/or right side sunvisor may lower slightly due to its own weight. The part where the sunvisor connects is broken, so the spring cannot hold the sunvisor in the fully...
SA-011-25 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Some customers will report that their fuel door was stuck closed and would not open to refuel the vehicle. Follow the repair steps below unless the conditions outlined in TSB 09-007/25 - FUEL-FILLER LID PANEL IS DEFORMED for 2019-2025 Mazda3 and 2020-2025 CX-30 are present.
SSPC5 FC — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
SSPC5 - SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM - 2019-2021 MAZDA3 AND 2020-2021 CX-30 - CONTROL UNITS REPROGRAMMING Concern 1: Mazda3 and CX-30 – Battery concern On the subject vehicles, the CCU (climate control unit) and BCM (body control module) may not go into sleep mode even after the ignition is switched OFF...
01-008-24 — ENGINE
Some vehicles may exhibit oil seepage or oil leak onto the engine front cover, which becomes more apparent with dust adhesion.
SSPC5 MRT — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
SSPC5 - SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM - 2019-2021 MAZDA3 AND 2020-2021 CX-30 - CONTROL UNITS REPROGRAMMING Concern 1: Mazda3 and CX-30 – Battery concern On the subject vehicles, the CCU (climate control unit) and BCM (body control module) may not go into sleep mode even after the ignition is switched OFF...
SA-017-24a — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote function(s) inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / Unlock Lights ON / OFF Climate Control
09-040-23 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
When opening the fuel-filler lid to refuel, some customers may notice water and/or sand in the fuel-filler lid box area. They may complain about dried sand causing poor appearance.
Showing 10 of 192 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the MAZDA MAZDA3
- 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 152 complaints
- 2016 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 136 complaints
- 2017 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 104 complaints
- 2018 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 137 complaints
- 2019 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 116 complaints
- 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 (current)
- 2021 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 66 complaints
- 2022 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 31 complaints
- 2023 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 19 complaints
- 2024 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 20 complaints
- 2025 MAZDA MAZDA3 — 5 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