AI Damage2021 Mazda Mazda3: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 filed 54 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 633 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 54
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 633
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 35% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 7 Lane departure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 4% of all complaints
- Engine: 19 complaints (35% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 82.
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 247.
- Forward collision avoidance: 7 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 35.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 54 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 19 | 0 | 82 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 1 | 247 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 26 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 35 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 69 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During the incident, the vehicle exhibited an uncontrollable malfunction—the steering wheel suddenly jerked sharply to the right while accelerating violently, leaving me unable to steer or brake effectively, the car was looking forward.
The vehicle was badly rear ended and the airbags didn't deploy. The dashboard indicated an "airbag malfunction" after the collision happened. The failure of the airbags put myself and my passengers at serious risk; if we weren't wearing our seatbelts, which we were, we would have been gravely injured.
The vehicle has electric power steering, so a loss of charging power while driving could reduce steering assist and cause the vehicle to stall in traffic. This happened three days after a Mazda dealer replaced the front passenger-side lower control arm.
Vehicle: 2021 Mazda Mazda3 VIN: [XXX] Mileage at failure: 111,777 Date the problem started: [date you first heard the clunk] Location: [town], [XXX] Crash / fire / injury / death: No Was the vehicle moving?
Making sharp right turn out of parking lot under hard acceleration, car suddenly made terrible grinding sound that shook the whole car. Continued driving, within another quarter mile the whole car started shaking again with loud noise. Had car towed to Mazda where they discovered that the rear differential had failed.
Car made grinding sound with notable vibration when starting to move after shifting into drive. Felt like brakes weren't releasing. Had car towed to dealership where they diagnosed that the front left brake shim was damaged and making contact with the rotor, had to pay to fix it out of pocket.
My rear differential case cracked, anytime the four wheel drive system was engaged the entire drivetrain would lock up. Luckily we were only on side roads so going less than 30 mph if we had been on the highway when this happened we could have been in an accident or lost control.
At 31,000 miles the control arm lower ball joints are torn on both lower. They must be replaced. This is a safety hazard. This should not be an issue with low mileage on this car.
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 840 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 40% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Mazda3 has 46 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 54, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting…
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting Started Dealer Processes Registration / Enrollment / Take-Over Customer Subscription Status WI-FI General Informatio…
- 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…
- Some customers may complain about any of the following
1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App
- Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair…
- 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 functions inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / Unlock Lights ON / OFF…
- Infotainment Reboot With Navigation Card Installed This Service Information is no longer valid
Refer to the following updated Technical Service Bulletins: CX-5 / CX-9: 16-002/23 - UPDATED SOFTWARE RELEASE FOR CONCERNS WITH MAZDA CONNECT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM (7TH GEN TYPE) Mazda3 / CX-30 (Non-Turbo): 16-008/23…
- Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock…
Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock and/or tire pressures and/or tire pressure missing. This may be caused by: Incorrect calendar entry…
- Some customers may complain about SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus showing expired even though the…
Some customers may complain about SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus showing expired even though the customer purchased a paid subscription. SiriusXM audio packages do not include SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus. To…
- Some vehicles may exhibit accumulation of dried coolant (1) around the water pipe (2)
This is caused by a gap between the housing and pipe due to a press fitting during the manufacturing process. The accumulated coolant is solidified and plugs the gap in high temperature environment and the seepage is…
- The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system can malfunction with the following symptoms if the rear side radar…
The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system can malfunction with the following symptoms if the rear side radar sensors are installed facing the wrong direction.
- Some customers may complain that the seat warmer does not operate when turning the ignition on while the…
Some customers may complain that the seat warmer does not operate when turning the ignition on while the seat is warm but when turning the ignition off then on again, the seat warmer begins to operate appropriately…
- Some customers may complain that the electric power steering warning light illuminates after engine start…
Some customers may complain that the electric power steering warning light illuminates after engine start and DTC U2011:1C is stored. Zinc-plated whisker may form inside the EPS motor and trigger the DTC. However…
NHTSA lists 633 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 2021 Mazda Mazda3?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, forward collision avoidance. Total complaints: 54. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (19%), warning lights, check engine (17%), vibration (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA lists 633 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 2021 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 2021 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.