Owners have reported 9 crashes and 13 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 Mazda 3. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints36
ENGINE
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 3 frequently report issues related to excessive engine oil consumption. Common symptoms include the low engine oil warning light activating, often with no visible leaks, and the need to add oil more frequently than usual. These issues typically arise between 3,000 to 8,000 miles after an oil change. Some owners mention that dealerships acknowledge the problem but provide limited solutions, primarily topping off the oil. There are no reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control associated with this issue, but concerns about potential engine damage and safety are noted. This information may be relevant for used car buyers considering this model.
Owner complaints9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the electrical system of the 2021 Mazda 3, notably involving battery drainage and starting problems. Complaints frequently mention that the vehicle may not start without a jump, and battery replacement does not resolve the issue. Multiple owners describe incidents where the battery drains overnight, especially if the doors are not locked, and some mention that the problem recurs despite dealer visits. Several reports indicate these issues occur at relatively low mileages, often around 20,000 to 30,000 miles. Safety implications arise as some owners experience stalling while driving, which could pose a risk if the vehicle loses power unexpectedly.
Owner complaints8
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 3 frequently report issues with windshield distortion, describing symptoms such as wavy or warped glass that leads to eye strain, headaches, and difficulty focusing, particularly on the driver's side. Complaints indicate that these issues are noticeable soon after purchase, often within the first few thousand miles, and persist even after windshield replacement. Some owners mention that Mazda considers this distortion "normal," especially near the pillars, which has led to frustration with resolution efforts. Additionally, there are reports of spontaneous cracks and sunroof glass incidents, with one owner describing a sudden explosion-like sound resulting in a sunroof bowing outward. These visibility issues can impair driving safety by affecting distance perception and causing fatigue.
Owner complaints7
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 3 frequently report issues related to the power train, particularly involving transmission failures and oil consumption. Common symptoms include engine malfunction lights, rough running, and unpredictable acceleration or deceleration. Some owners mention problems emerging as early as three months after purchase or within approximately 16,500 miles. Safety concerns are highlighted in situations where the vehicle loses acceleration control, posing risks during highway driving. Additionally, electrical issues like battery drainage and random electrical system malfunctions are noted, though less frequently. These patterns suggest potential reliability challenges for prospective buyers to consider.
Owner complaints7
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 3 frequently report issues related to unintended acceleration and brake failure. Several complaints describe the vehicle accelerating unexpectedly, sometimes accompanied by abnormal engine sounds, and in some cases leading to crashes. Another common issue involves the rear brakes wearing out prematurely, with replacements needed within approximately 1.5 years of purchase. These problems often occur at mileages around 22,000 to 31,000. Safety implications are significant, with three reported crashes and one injury, highlighting the potential risk of loss of control. This information is crucial for used car buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report frequent issues with oil consumption in the 2021 Mazda 3, particularly in vehicles equipped with a turbo engine. Complaints often describe the low oil light activating after relatively few miles following an oil change, with some instances occurring as early as 1,800 miles. Another common issue involves safety and driver support systems being partially disabled, with warnings about camera malfunction and high beam control appearing on the dashboard. Additionally, some owners mention a persistent low battery voltage warning, triggered by minor actions like leaving a door open. These problems typically arise within the first 10,000 miles of ownership. While no crashes or fires are reported, these issues could potentially lead to engine damage or decreased functionality of safety features, which may be critical for used car buyers to consider.
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 3 report issues with vehicle speed control, including unintended acceleration and problems with adaptive cruise control. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle accelerating independently, sometimes resulting in crashes, with one incident leading to injuries. These issues occur at various mileage points, with one case at approximately 1,000 miles and another at 47,000 miles. Symptoms include vehicles lunging forward, delayed throttle response, and unexpected increases in RPM when adaptive cruise control is engaged. Safety implications are significant, as two complaints involve crashes, highlighting potential risks for buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints4
STEERING
Owners report steering issues with the 2021 Mazda 3, frequently mentioning malfunctions that trigger multiple warning messages, including power steering alerts. Several complaints describe a binding sensation in the steering wheel, particularly noticeable at highway speeds, which can lead to overcorrections. Some owners reference a technical service bulletin (06-001/20) for previous models, suggesting similar problems persist in the 2021 model despite supposed updates. The issues often occur at higher speeds, posing potential safety risks due to unexpected steering behavior. These patterns suggest buyers should be aware of possible steering irregularities when considering this vehicle.
Owner complaints3
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 3 report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, with complaints frequently mentioning unexpected emergency braking. Two reports describe the system engaging without any obstruction in front of the vehicle, leading to sudden stops. One incident resulted in a crash with injuries, occurring at approximately 14,000 miles, when the driver was unable to deactivate cruise control in time. Safety implications include the risk of rear-end collisions due to sudden braking. Buyers should be aware that these issues can occur even at relatively low mileages and may involve the forward collision system engaging inappropriately.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 Mazda 3 report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Specifically, complaints frequently mention that airbags on the passenger side fail to deploy in collisions, even when the impact occurs on that side. One report describes a scenario where side airbags on the driver's side deployed, but not on the passenger side, leading to injuries. Another complaint notes that frontal airbags did not deploy in a crash, resulting in severe injuries. These incidents occur at varying mileage, with one noted at 13,450 miles. The failure of airbags to deploy in these scenarios poses significant safety risks, particularly in accidents with high impact.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
