2019 Mazda MAZDA3: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 74 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (17% of complaints); the 2020 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Dec 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 74 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driver side door handle failed. Cannot enter or exit through driver side door. If something were to happen that we need to get out in an emergency situation we cannot exit through the driver side door. No damage occurred. Just stopped working”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2025
“The seat belt stopped retracting and no longer works, it was reported directly to the Mazda agency, but the warranty was not valid. The dealer said that the tensioners no longer work and the seat belt needs to be replaced.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2024
“I had an oil change back in April of 2024. I have been driving the last couple of days and after about 15 minutes my low oil light comes. this car has 58.800 miles on it. I stopped at a oil express to see if I was low on oil but they said I was at full. I also checked to see if they saw anything leaking but they also said they didn't see anything. if the gasket is bad 58,000 that is telling me it's a faulty product. I'm afraid that my engine could lock up on the highway and cause a bad accident.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“I noticed oil was leaking and my engine was steaming after driving. My mechanic found a crack in a cylinder after watching YouTube and finding out Mazda has this issue.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2024
“Shown engine light on dashboard and Car was struggling to run while pressing the gas, took to the mazda dealership and they told low pressure and high pressure fuel pump needs to be replaced.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2024
“Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak. Confirmed by Mazda Dealership. Vehicle has always had routine maintenance and remote start used to warm engine prior to driving. No warning lights appeared to alert driver prior to noticing issue- took it in because driver could smell burning oil which is a fire risk to safety of occupants while using vehicle. This type of issue is a manufacturer flaw and should be covered with recall since there are a lot of people online experiencing the exact same issue.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2023
“Cylinder head is leaking oil due to known defect by Mazda. The rocker arm rubs the cylinder and causes the wall the thin and oil to leak through. Oil sprays on exhaust and other moving parts causing a safety concern due to possible oil combustion. This is in relation to TSB SA-031/21. Only alert is the low engine oil light due to the leak. At this point, oil has already covered a majority of the engine compartment and exhaust manifold.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2023
“Vehicle will over heat and then show warning messages that auto light system malfunction and engine will shut off randomly.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2023
“Check engine light appeared then I had a dead battery. I purchased a new one and the check engine light went away for a while until now. Then I found a letter online that I never received of a recall for california vehicles that were manufactured during specific dates. Mine is listed as one but it does not have an active recall.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2022
“Car will not start, instrument panel flashes on and off. I've had to jump the car to start it and then the check engine light and engine malfunction warning messages appear on the panel. I've had the battery tested and told it wasn't the battery.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the front and rear wheel lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3519F.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3819F.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing. Note: Vehicles equipped with auto dimming mirrors are not affected by this recall.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3919G.
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.
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. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2019 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MAZDA3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
NHTSA has 74 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3. The most complained-about area is service brakes (17% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 5,200 miles or less.
Does the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system: instrument cluster/panel. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.