AI Damage2016 Mazda Mazda3: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 filed 103 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. The maker issued 451 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 103
- involving a crash
- 7
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 451
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 3 Backover prevention 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 22 complaints (21% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 131.
- Service brakes: 14 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Backover prevention: 12 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 34.
- Engine: 7 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 103 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 22 | 0 | 131 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 1 | 29 |
| Backover prevention | 12 | 0 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 1 | 34 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 38 |
| Visibility | 7 | 0 | 19 |
| Air bags | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 35 |
| Seats | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 19 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Approximately a half our later I notice my car rolled down my driveway and crashed in between two trees on my property. Either the emergency brake failed or the car's transmission failed while parked. The car was found at the bottom of my property still in gear and had the emergency brake in the engaged position.
The vehicle was in motion, going west, another vehicle in motion hit me, by the time it was over I was facing east and went up a curb and into a wall of a homeowners yard
While the vehicle was stationary and unoccupied, the emergency brake disengaged and the contact's vehicle rolled back and struck another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries. A dealer was not made aware of the failure.
On the way back down I took out a very large metal light pole with the front of my car and the air bags never deployed. After inspection of my car my tires were bad. I just bought the car brand new in 7 months ago.
The contact was involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The contact was injured and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 mazda 3. While stopped, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle. The front driver's seat fractured and collapsed. The contact sustained whiplash and injuries to the neck and lower back. The driver of the other vehicle was taken away by ambulance.
Please see excerpt below: "[dealer] dealer will check the parking brake actuator shafts inside the left and right rear brake calipers. If the actuator shaft is found to be rusted, the brake caliper assembly will be replaced with a modified one.
The contact stated that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various speeds. The contact also stated that the steering wheel felt loose while driving at high speeds, fearing that he would lose control of the vehicle if he did not firmly grip the steering wheel.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 566 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mazda3 has 46 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 103, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Backover prevention. Rear camera and parking sensors after a rear impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been…
- Supersession between B60S-34-300G/350G and B60S-34- 300H/350H
Please be advised that the G-level and H-level control arms are not interchangeable. The G-level part cannot be used to repair a vehicle built with the H-level. The H-level part can be used to repair a vehicle built…
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a…
- 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…
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly…
- Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair
A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor…
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto…
- There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank
A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method • B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to accurately cut keys • 5-digit codes CANNOT be provided for 2019 and newer vehicles (the…
- Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter…
Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in the A/C evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling unit. This condition…
- Some vehicles exhibit brake related concerns such as brake noise, brake judder or brake dragging
If you encounter a customer complaint for any one of these symptoms, refer to the following information to understand why symptoms may occur, and to better assist the customer in resolving their specific brake concern…
- Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle…
Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a fluid or oil leak and use the following…
NHTSA lists 451 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda Mazda3?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes, backover prevention. Total complaints: 103. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (20%), rear-view camera (16%), rollaway, parking brake (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA lists 451 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Mazda Mazda3 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.