2020 Mazda 3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 17 of 32 complaints (53%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 74 in 2019 to 32 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,950–2,250 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,000–2,400 | 2,000–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 28–32 | 27–30 | 27–30 | 26–31 | 26–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 25–28 / 33–38 | 24–27 / 32–36 | 24–27 / 32–36 | 23–28 / 31–36 | 23–28 / 31–36 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 280–319 | 295–328 | 295–328 | 287–337 | 287–337 | |
| Complaints filed | 108 | 74 | 32 | 49 | 24 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
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 2020 Mazda 3 have?
2 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 2020 Mazda 3?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 17 of 32 NHTSA complaints (53%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Mazda 3 get?
EPA rates it 27–30 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 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 | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 313 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 35 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 303 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | $2,100 (low) | 297 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | 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) |
| Configuration 5 | 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 6 | 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) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 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 (2)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · Campaign 20V346000 · Jun 12, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.
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.