2019 Mazda 3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 16 of 74 complaints (22%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 108 in 2018 to 74 in 2019.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | vs. 2019 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,250 | 1,950–2,250 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,000–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 28–32 | 28–32 | 27–30 | 27–30 | 26–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–28 / 33–37 | 25–28 / 33–38 | 24–27 / 32–36 | 24–27 / 32–36 | 23–28 / 31–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 281–319 | 280–319 | 295–328 | 295–328 | 287–337 | |
| Complaints filed | 83 | 108 | 74 | 32 | 49 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2019 Mazda 3 have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2019 Mazda 3?
Brakes: 16 of 74 NHTSA complaints (22%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Mazda 3 get?
EPA rates it 27–30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2019 Mazda 3?
EPA estimates $2,100–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 299 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 27 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 295 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 313 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 303 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 299 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg (low) | 32 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 328 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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 (6)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · Campaign 19V907000 · Dec 19, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
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.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR · Campaign 19V558000 · Jul 30, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Rearward visibility will be reduced without the rearview mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · Campaign 19V514000 · Jul 5, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Loose head restraints may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ENGINE · Campaign 19V497000 · Jun 27, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
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.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · Campaign 19V425000 · Jun 11, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A wheel separating from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL · Campaign 19V363000 · May 14, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.
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.