The 2013 Mazda 3 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 580,455 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the exterior lighting. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
STRUCTURE16V6440002016-09-06580,455 affected
Defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26, 2015, and…
Consequence
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy
Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9916H.
Complaints by component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
34
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
32
POWER TRAIN
18
SERVICE BRAKES
15
2crashes
ENGINE
11
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10
SEATS
9
1crashes1injuries
STEERING
9
STRUCTURE:BODY
8
1crashes
AIR BAGS
7
2crashes1injuries
Total complaints176
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 mazda 3 sedans (with skyactiv-g 2.0l and halogen type headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 mazda 3 with skyactive technology and I noticed that when I was braking the…”
“There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 mazda 3 sedans (with skyactiv-g 2.0l and halogen type headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 mazda 3 with skyactive technology and I noticed that when I was braking the…”
“The brake pedal consistently malfunctions, even after the replacement of the master cylinder (by independent service center). The master cylinder does not hold pressure due to a faulty abs control unit (which, when mazda was contacted, said that part was on backorder until september). If the…”
“Transmission control module malfunction. The at light came on and the car made a jerking motion and a clunking noise. It lost power and would not shift which is very dangerous in moving traffic. It put me at risk for getting hit by another vehicle not expecting the abrupt change in speed by my…”
“The contact owns a 2013 mazda mazda3. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v644000 (structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet…”
“After filing up the gas tank, there is a strong smell of fuel coming from the car. It remains strong until the tank is run down to about 3/4. Gas can be seen dripping down the tank under the car. Gas drips are clearly visible on the ground. This has been an ongoing problem for approximately two…”
“Steering becomes unpredictable and stiff accompanied by surging and loss of power. Check engine light comes on. Code p0882”
“Steering becomes unpredictable and stiff accompanied by surging and loss of power. Check engine light comes on. Code p0882”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
InvestigationEA21002 Opened 2021-09-17 · open
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2013 Mazda 3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.