2016 Mazda Mazda3: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2016 Mazda Mazda3

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2016 Mazda Mazda3 recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Mazda Mazda3. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Fuel systemFire risk

  A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 16V684000

  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 (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.

  Fix: 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.

• Fuel systemFire risk

  A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 16V685000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Fuel systemFire risk

  A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

  Details 15V621000

  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 emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.

  Fix: 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 have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.

• Driver-assist systems

  A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  Details 23V487000

  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.

  Fix: 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 models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

• Visibility & wipers

  Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.

  Details 19V272000

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• Brakes

  If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully.

  Details 17V393000

  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.

  Fix: 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 available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.

2016 Mazda Mazda3 safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Screen and audio: MAZDA CONNECT TOUCH SCREEN CONCERN WARRANTY EXTENSION SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM: Mazda Motor Corporation is extending the warranty coverage for a…

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2016 Mazda Mazda3 safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

103 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, about average.

What a 2016 Mazda Mazda3 is worth

Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.

From new to now

What each Mazda Mazda3 model year trades in for today at typical mileage.

Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line.

Other Mazda Mazda3 years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024