The 2018 Mazda 3 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 545,162 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 139 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
BACK OVER PREVENTION23V4870002023-07-14236,100 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 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
VISIBILITY19V2720002019-04-04187,880 affected
Defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Consequence
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17V7450002017-11-21144 affected
Defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.
Consequence
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1717K.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
30
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
25
1crashes2injuries1deaths
VISIBILITY/WIPER
16
1crashes3injuries
BACK OVER PREVENTION
12
ENGINE
12
1crashes2injuries1deaths
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
7
SERVICE BRAKES
6
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
5
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
3
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
2
Total complaints139
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact called on behalf of a customer who owns a 2018 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that the windshield wipers had become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the contact's auto repair shop, tire-rama, where the windshield wiper switch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon…”
“While I was driving on the highway, I went to use my front wipers and there was no response when trying to active them. The rear wiper, front and rear washer fluid sprayers all worked. No warning lights or other signs of failure were present. I took the car to a local repair shop and they…”
“The contact owns a 2018 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a strong fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle and inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after refueling. No warning lights were…”
“The infotainment system is cracking uncontrollably and will make the rear view camera unusable and a safety issue. It keeps resetting every minute. Mazda corporation wont pay for the repair that they are charging about 1,000 to fix it.”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Mazda 3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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