2021 Mazda 3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 18 of 49 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 32 in 2020 to 49 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,100–2,300 | 2,100–2,300 | 2,000–2,400 | 2,000–2,400 | 2,000–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 27–30 | 27–30 | 26–31 | 26–31 | 26–31 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 24–27 / 32–36 | 24–27 / 32–36 | 23–28 / 31–36 | 23–28 / 31–36 | 23–28 / 31–37 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 295–328 | 295–328 | 287–337 | 287–337 | 287–337 | |
| Complaints filed | 74 | 32 | 49 | 24 | 12 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 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 2021 Mazda 3 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2021 Mazda 3?
Engine: 18 of 49 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Mazda 3 get?
EPA rates it 26–31 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Mazda 3?
EPA estimates $2,000–$2,400 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 28 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | $2,000 (low) | 287 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 299 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 320 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 24 mpg | 33 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 323 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 26 mpg | 34 mpg | 29 mpg | $2,150 | 304 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 25 mpg | 31 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 326 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 26 mpg | 35 mpg | 30 mpg | $2,100 | 303 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 25 mpg | 33 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 | 313 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 32 mpg | 27 mpg | $2,300 | 334 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | $2,400 (high) | 337 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 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 (1)
TIRES:VALVE · Campaign 21V101000 · Feb 22, 2021
Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
Consequence: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.