Owner report · 2018 model year

2018 Mazda 3

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Electrical

Electrical leads by volume: 30 of 110 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 84 in 2017 to 110 in 2018.

Data last changed Nov 7, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints: 110
Recall campaigns: 4
EPA fuel cost per year: $1,950–$2,200
Combined MPG: 28–32

Complaints by model year

1042016
842017
1102018
742019
322020

Where owners report problems

Electrical30 (27%)
Other27 (25%)
Driver Assistance & Speed Control23 (21%)
Visibility & Lighting16 (15%)
Engine14 (13%)
Fuel System11 (10%)

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2018: 4 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	vs. 2018 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)	1,900–2,150	1,950–2,200	1,950–2,200	2,100–2,300	2,100–2,300
Combined MPG	29–33	28–32	28–32	27–30	27–30
City / Highway MPG	25–30 / 34–40	25–28 / 33–37	25–28 / 33–38	24–27 / 32–36	24–27 / 32–36
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	266–310	281–319	280–319	295–328	295–328
Complaints filed	104	84	110	74	32	Not compared
Recalls issued	6	2	4	6	2	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	7	6	6	3	0	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	1	0	0	0	0	Not compared
Injuries reported	5	1	5	1	0	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	0	1	0	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	5	5	4	3	3

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda 3 have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Mazda 3?

Electrical: 30 of 110 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Mazda 3 get?

EPA rates it 28–32 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Mazda 3?

EPA estimates $1,950–$2,200 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (8)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Manual 6-spd	4	2.0L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	28 mpg (high)	38 mpg (high)	31 mpg	$2,000	281 g/mi
Configuration 2	Automatic (S6)	4	2.0L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	28 mpg (high)	37 mpg	31 mpg	$2,000	283 g/mi
Configuration 3	Automatic (S6)	4	2.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	27 mpg	36 mpg	30 mpg	$2,100	293 g/mi
Configuration 4	Manual 6-spd	4	2.0L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	27 mpg	37 mpg	31 mpg	$2,000	286 g/mi
Configuration 5	Automatic (S6)	4	2.0L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	28 mpg (high)	37 mpg	32 mpg (high)	$1,950 (low)	280 g/mi (low)
Configuration 6	Automatic (S6)	4	2.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	26 mpg	35 mpg	30 mpg	$2,100	301 g/mi
Configuration 7	Manual 6-spd	4	2.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Compact Cars	25 mpg (low)	34 mpg	29 mpg	$2,150	312 g/mi
Configuration 8	Manual 6-spd	4	2.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Midsize Cars	25 mpg (low)	33 mpg (low)	28 mpg (low)	$2,200 (high)	319 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Injuries	Deaths
Engine	14	1	2	1
Transmission & Drivetrain	5	0	0	0
Fuel System	11	0	0	0
Electrical	30	1	0	0
Brakes	6	1	0	0
Steering	2	2	0	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	2	0	0	0
Airbags & Restraints	1	0	0	0
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	23	1	0	0
Body, Seats & Latches	3	0	0	0
Visibility & Lighting	16	1	3	0
Other	27	1	2	1

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (4)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Campaign 23V487000 · Jul 14, 2023
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 models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign 21V875000 · Nov 12, 2021
Defect
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.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Campaign 19V272000 · Apr 4, 2019
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 COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Campaign 17V745000 · Nov 21, 2017
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.