Hatchback · Gas
Mazda 3 2019–2026 (BP)
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- Price
- $21,300–$33,000
- MPG
- 31
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong reliability
- Strength: Strong driving fun
- Watch-out: Below-average cargo & utility
- Watch-out: Below-average passenger space
How it scores for you10 scores
A near-premium, sharp-handling compact hatch with perfect 5-star safety and strong reliability, hampered only by tight rear space and modest cargo.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; none of its 11 recalls were serious. About 7% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +6 points for its wider reputation.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 5, side 5, rollover 5).
About $2,150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 67% of cars we track.
20.1 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 31% of other hatchbacks we track.
Hatchback offers 20.1 cu ft cargo (47.1 folded) but rear seat and visibility are tight for the compact class due to the sloping roofline and thick pillars.
Mazda 3 is renowned as a driver's car with sharp steering, engaging handling, and available AWD. 186hp is adequate but not thrilling; no turbo listed here caps ultimate excitement.
Well-equipped with standard active safety and a refined infotainment system, though the rotary-controller-only setup (no touchscreen while driving) frustrates some. Above segment average overall.
Upscale, quiet cabin praised as near-premium for the class with supportive seats and refined ride. Firmer sport tuning is a minor tradeoff.
Typical resale value for a hatchback.
No published tow rating; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls13 recalls
13 recalls · 8 common complaint areas across 2019–2025
- Engine — 16 complaints (2021)
- Recall — Airbags: air bag/restraint control module: software (2025)
- Forward collision avoidance — 12 complaints (2020)
2026
No recorded issues.
2025
- RecallAirbags: air bag/restraint control module: software25V357000
Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda3 and CX30 vehicles. The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.
2024
- RecallBack over prevention: sensing system: camera; forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera; lane departure: sensing system: camera23V718000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 and MAZDA3 vehicles. Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
- RecallExterior lighting: headlights; forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking; lane departure: sensing system: camera24V649000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not aut
- RecallAirbags: air bag/restraint control module: software25V357000
Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda3 and CX30 vehicles. The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was denied work on a network issue recall 3 separate times at the dealership I bought the car. The first time I was told it was because of a smell. If I clean the car, they will fix it. I noticed after they were in the car my backup camera didn’t work which I also thought might be a recall but fou
2023
No recorded issues.
2022
- Complaint clusterAirbags11 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
I recently received a warning on the dashboard that there is an airbag malfunction and needs to be taken in to get serviced. The warning continues to appear. This appears similar to a recent recall of 2024-2025 Mazda 3s and CX-30s, but there does not appear to be a recall issued for 2022 Mazda 3 mod
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle's Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) / infotainment system has experienced a complete, permanent internal electronic failure, logged by Diagnostic Trouble Code DTC U3000:49 (Control Module Internal Electronic Failure). The main display screen is completely dark at all times and never powers
2021
- RecallTires: valve21V101000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
- Complaint clusterEngine16 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Spontaneous loss of power while driving on highway. Check engine light came on. Speed limited by car. Continues to vibrate especially at idle from cold start. Code P0304 intermittently popping up.
- Complaint clusterElectrical5 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The driver window, upon attempted to be let up, will start to go up then go all the way down, ignoring the function to go up. This is a safety concern, as harsh temperatures and foreign objects are able to enter the vehicle cabin at any time, including driving. The problem has been reproduced by a d
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My 2021 Mazda 3 was bought used in August 2023 and is about a year old in my possession. it has been at the Mazda dealership for repairs multiple times since August 2023. it dangerously stalls and hesitates when trying to accelerate from a stop position. When the brake pedal is released and I sta
2020
- RecallForward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking19V907000
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.
- RecallService brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper20V346000
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.
- Complaint clusterForward collision avoidance12 complaintscomplaints:FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
While driving on a residential street the automatic emergency braking system activated and brought the car to a very abrupt stop but there was nothing in the front of the car to activate the system. There were no cars in the on-coming lane and no cars in the lane beside my car. When the car stopped
2019
- RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel; seat belts: front: warning light/devices19V363000
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
- RecallWheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs19V425000
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.
- RecallEngine; power train: automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)19V497000
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.
- RecallSeats: front assembly: head restraint19V514000
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.
- RecallVisibility: glass, side/rear19V558000
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 dim
- RecallForward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking19V907000
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.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other10 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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
- Complaint clusterPowertrain9 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
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.
- Complaint clusterElectrical8 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle's battery has gone dead on several occasions since replacing the OEM battery. The OEM battery which was approximately 3 years old, also had gone dead, prompting its replacement. The battery has gone dead within 1-2 days of not using the car. Charging the battery by running it is only a t
- Complaint clusterBrakes7 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
To whom it may concern, I was on a back road late in the evening not far from home [XXX] and a small deer ran into the road. I needed to brake to avoid hitting the deer. After breaking, a Brake System Malfunction warning message and i-ACTIVESENSE System Malfunction warning illuminated on my dashbo
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper5 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
The driver-side sun visor has suffered an internal mechanical failure where the internal plastic tension components have cracked under normal use. As a direct result, the sun visor will not stay up and randomly drops down completely unprompted while the vehicle is in motion. This creates an immediat
Cost to own$19,500 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$21,300–$33,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,150/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
28
Highway MPG
36
Combined MPG
31
Horsepower
186 hp
Doors
4
Length
175.6 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
56.7 in
Wheelbase
107.5 in
Curb weight
2,945 lb
Cargo volume
20.1 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
47.1 cu ft
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