NHTSA has received 12 owner complaints about the 2024 Mazda Mazda3, or 4.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.11, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 89 model-year 2024 vehicles we track, it ranks #6 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Mazda models its rate is 63% lower; against other Compact cars it is 80% 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
Limited data: fewer than 30 complaints, so shares and indexes are unstable.
Complaints filed between 2024-02-05 and 2026-08-07. Median delay from incident to filing: 3 days.
12Complaints
4.5Complaints per year on the road
0.11Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
16.7%Share involving a crash or fire
3Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2023) drew 3.3 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2025) drew 4.2 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2024 model collected 9 complaints, 87% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (41.7% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (16.7%) and Interior & equipment (16.7%). Electrical complaints are 2.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 2 reports (16.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 12 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (58% of incidents). 3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 50% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.11
vs. other Mazda models0.37
vs. other 2024 models0.12
vs. other Compact cars0.2
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (9)0.13
On July 1, 2025, I was involved in a severe rear-end collision while driving my 2024 Mazda3 manual hatchback. The impact was forceful enough to shatter the rear windshield, leave a deep dent in the tailgate, and bend the trailer hitch mount under the vehicle…
The contact leased a 2024 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at 55–60 mph, the windshield wipers continued to stay in the on position and failed to turn off. The parking brake engaged without application and turned on and off.
Electrical · 2024-02-05 · ODI 11569891 · Crash
I was denied work on a network issue recall 3 separate times at the dealership I bought the car. The first time I was told it was because of a smell. If I clean the car, they will fix it.
Electrical · 2026-08-07 · ODI 11755539
While driving on the highway (50mph), the sunroof had shattered unexpectedly. The sunroof itself was not open, but the visor was open so the glass fell into the car, onto the driver, the passenger and into the backseats.
Interior & equipment · 2026-07-20 · ODI 11751469
left-most lane of a three-lane highway, I pressed the accelerator to maintain the flow of traffic. The vehicle suddenly began revving between 4,000–5,000 RPM without increasing speed.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-02-19 · ODI 11718990
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE Campaign 25V357000 · 2025-05-29
Summary: Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda3 and CX30 vehicles. The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy in the event of a crash increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the SAS unit with improved software or replace the unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7525E.
LANE DEPARTURE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 24V649000 · 2024-09-03
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended.
Risk: Automatic braking, steering assist, and headlight control systems that do not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the forward sensing camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6824H.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 23V718000 · 2023-10-26
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 and MAZDA3 vehicles. Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the view monitor control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6223J.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2024 Mazda Mazda3?
12 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2024 Mazda Mazda3, or about 4.5 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2024 Mazda Mazda3?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 41.7% of complaints.
Does the 2024 Mazda Mazda3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2024 Mazda Mazda3 still generating complaints?
3 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2024 Mazda Mazda3 compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 12 owner complaints about the 2024 Mazda Mazda3, or 4.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.11, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 89 model-year 2024 vehicles we track, it ranks #6 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Mazda models its rate is 63% lower; against other Compact cars it is 80% lower.