NHTSA has received 74 owner complaints about the 2019 Mazda Mazda3, or 9.6 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.23, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #18 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Mazda models its rate is 21% lower; against other Compact cars it is 58% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2019-05-25 and 2026-08-10. Median delay from incident to filing: 9 days.
74Complaints
9.6Complaints per year on the road
0.23Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
6Recalls
4.1%Share involving a crash or fire
4Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2018) drew 12.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2020) drew 4.8 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2019 model collected 41 complaints, 49% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Brakes (16.2% of complaints), followed by Engine (14.9%) and Transmission / powertrain (13.5%). Brakes complaints are 2.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Brakes reports, owners most often mention “emergency”, “behind”, “automatic”, “rear ended” and “braking”. 3 reports (4.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 19 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (30% of incidents). 4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for this model year. 45% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.23
vs. other Mazda models0.79
vs. other 2019 models0.21
vs. other Compact cars0.42
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (41)0.51
These issues been happening since the second month I owned my 2019 mazda 3 hatchback. 1- suspensions, they're very rough & harsh., they bounce so much for no reason, I damaged one tire already while I was driving on i476 normal highway where I stepped on…
Engine · 2020-05-24 · ODI 11325706 · Crash
Jan. 23, 2020. 10:45 am. I was on my street, a narrow residential street, preparing to back in my garage. In order to do that on this narrow street, I touched the lip of the driveway across the street. Speed well under 3 mph.
Steering · 2020-02-17 · ODI 11309582 · Crash
The driver-side sun visor has suffered an internal mechanical failure where the internal plastic tension components have cracked under normal use.
Body & structure · 2026-06-28 · ODI 11747084
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The airbag system, specifically the curtain airbags and related airbag control components, malfunctioned by deploying spontaneously without any collision or…
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-01-18 · ODI 11711782
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
Interior & equipment · 2025-11-26 · ODI 11701705
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2019 Mazda Mazda3?
74 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Mazda Mazda3, or about 9.6 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2019 Mazda Mazda3?
The most common category is Brakes, accounting for 16.2% of complaints.
Does the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 still generating complaints?
4 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 74 owner complaints about the 2019 Mazda Mazda3, or 9.6 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.23, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 76 model-year 2019 vehicles we track, it ranks #18 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Mazda models its rate is 21% lower; against other Compact cars it is 58% lower.