Short answer
Among Mazda MAZDA3 model years through 2024, 2022 and 2023 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2016 and 2019 have the most (6). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
Mazda MAZDA3: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 23 (2004–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 29
- Fewest recalls
- 2022 and 2023 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2016 and 2019 (6)
- Most recalled system
- Air bags (8)
- 5-star overall rating
- 2014, 2015, 2016 and 9 more years
Mazda MAZDA3 Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2025 Recent: still collecting recalls | 1 | 5 stars | Air bags |
| 2024 | 3 | 5 stars | Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure |
| 2023 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2022 | 0 | 5 stars | None on record |
| 2021 | 1 | 5 stars | Tires |
| 2020 | 2 | 5 stars | Forward collision avoidance, Service brakes, hydraulic |
| 2019 | 6 | Not rated | Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Power train |
| 2018 | 4 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2017 | 2 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Visibility |
| 2016 | 6 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Back over prevention, Parking brake |
| 2015 | 4 | 5 stars | Fuel system, gasoline, Back over prevention, Parking brake |
| 2014 | 4 | 5 stars | Back over prevention, Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2013 | 1 | 4 stars | Structure |
| 2012 | 1 | 4 stars | Structure |
| 2011 | 2 | 4 stars | Seats, Structure |
| 2010 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system, Seats, Structure |
| 2009 | 3 | Not rated | Electronic stability control (esc), Steering, Visibility |
| 2008 | 2 | Not rated | Steering, Visibility |
| 2007 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags, Steering |
| 2006 | 1 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2005 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
| 2004 | 2 | Not rated | Air bags |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20260 recalls
- 20251 recall
- 20243 recalls
- 20230 recalls
- 20220 recalls
- 20211 recall
- 20202 recalls
- 20196 recalls
- 20184 recalls
- 20172 recalls
- 20166 recalls
- 20154 recalls
- 20144 recalls
- 20131 recall
- 20121 recall
- 20112 recalls
- 20103 recalls
- 20093 recalls
- 20082 recalls
- 20072 recalls
- 20061 recall
- 20052 recalls
- 20042 recalls
Mazda MAZDA3: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in Mazda MAZDA3 recalls are air bags (8), fuel system, gasoline (7), visibility (6), back over prevention (5) and structure (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA has an overall star rating for 15 of these 23 model years, and 2014, 2015, 2016 and 9 more years earned 5 stars. Ratings before 2011 come from an earlier version of the program and are not directly comparable with later years. A range such as 4–5 means versions of the same model year were rated differently.
FAQ: Mazda MAZDA3 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the Mazda MAZDA3?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2022 and 2023 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which Mazda MAZDA3 model years have the most recalls?
2016 and 2019 have the most, with 6 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "MAZDA3", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy