The 2016 Mazda 3 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 687,538 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 137 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
BACK OVER PREVENTION23V4870002023-07-14236,100 affected
Defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Consequence
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected…
VISIBILITY19V2720002019-04-04187,880 affected
Defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility.
Consequence
Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3219D.
PARKING BRAKE17V3930002017-06-22227,814 affected
Defect
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Consequence
If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become…
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0216I.
Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve…
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the…
Consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
22
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
21
SERVICE BRAKES
13
1crashes
POWER TRAIN
9
1crashes
BACK OVER PREVENTION
7
ENGINE
7
VISIBILITY/WIPER
7
AIR BAGS
6
3crashes4injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
6
PARKING BRAKE
6
1crashes
Total complaints137
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2016 mazda mazda3.the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact stated that the vehicle's steering wheel would fail to operate as needed. The contact stated that an abnormal, clunking noise would emit from the steering wheel while turning at various…”
“The contact owns a 2016 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that while driving and while starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster was inoperable. The contact also stated that the instrument cluster screen was peeling, and critical information for the vehicle was not displayed. Additionally, the…”
“I am writing to formally report a serious safety issue with my 2016 mazda 3 manual transmission, which experienced a sudden and complete clutch failure at less 60,000 miles — without any warning lights or diagnostic alerts. I am deeply concerned that: •there was no dashboard warning, even as…”
“The "infotainment system" is activating itself and cycling through various options when I slow down or stop. It calls random numbers and changes settings on the system. It is distracting and dangerous. This is a known "ghost touch" problem for this model of vehicle, but the mazda dealer I…”
“Mazda supposedly repaired/replaced the backup camera issue under the recall. However, within one day it was doing the same thing again...the screen dims or flickers off when backing up the car. I told mazda about that and they said I need a new screen, which would not be covered under the recall.…”
“The contact owns a 2016 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the driver’s side seat belt became inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt latch failed to function properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The…”
“The contact owns a 2016 mazda mazda3. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the parking brake became firm and failed to engage as needed, causing the rear passenger’s side brake pads to not respond as needed after the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 17v393000…”
“When I checked for recall information 2 recalls were listed under my car's vin #: recall #1: 3219d with closed status. Recall #2: 6023g is listed as active. But, when I tried to schedule a repair for the active recall, the manufacturing website only listed the "closed" recall (3219d) was listed as…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Mazda 3 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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