Mazda Mazda3: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
2,990 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda Mazda3, model years 2004 to 2026. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2012 (transmission 4×). Quietest mature years by complaint count: 2019, 2017, 2005. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 145 | — | 3 | |
| 2005 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 97 | quiet: 3 of 16 | 3 | |
| 2006 Mazda3 | 166 | — | 2 | |
| 2007 Mazda3 | 222 | — | 3 | |
| 2008 Mazda3 | 302 | — | 3 | |
| 2009 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 114 | quiet: 6 of 16 | 4 | |
| 2010 Mazda3 | 685 | — | 3 | |
| 2011 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 132 | — | 2 | |
| 2012 Mazda3 | 226 | transmission 4× | 1 | |
| 2013 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 117 | — | 1 | |
| 2014 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 138 | — | 4 | |
| 2015 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 130 | — | 4 | |
| 2016 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 104 | quiet: 4 of 16 | 6 | |
| 2017 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 84 | quiet: 2 of 16 | 2 | |
| 2018 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 110 | quiet: 5 of 16 | 4 | |
| 2019 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 74 | quiet: 1 of 16 | 6 | |
| 2020 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 32 | — | 2 | |
| 2021 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 55 | — | 1 | |
| 2022 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 24 | — | 0 | |
| 2023 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 12 | — | 0 | |
| 2024 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 12 | — | 3 | |
| 2025 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 8 | — | 1 | |
| 2026 Mazda3FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Mazda models
Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8 · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 20062007200820102012