The 2019 Mazda Mazda3 carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering automatic emergency braking and engine. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Acceleration lag or hesitation from a stop.” Mazda's Skyactiv engines use unusually high compression ratios (13:1 to 16:1) and require strict adherence to oil intervals — extending oil life on a Skyactiv engine accelerates carbon buildup on intake valves. Mazda's published Schedule 1 (severe) covers most US driving conditions.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Campaign #19V907000 · Dec 19, 2019
Issue: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
Risk: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.
ENGINE
Campaign #19V497000 · Jun 27, 2019
Issue: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
Campaign #19V514000 · May 7, 2019
Issue: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.
Risk: Loose head restraints may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3819F.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Campaign #19V558000 · Jul 29, 2019
Issue: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing. Note: Vehicles equipped with auto dimming mirrors are not affected by this recall.
Risk: Rearward visibility will be reduced without the rearview mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the interior rearview mirror assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 19, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3919G.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Campaign #19V363000 · May 14, 2019
Issue: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. Due to incorrect programing, the passenger air bag deactivation indicator light may erroneously turn off although the passenger air bag is deactivated. In addition, the seat belt status indicators for both the front passenger seat and/or rear seats may erroneously turn off although the front passenger and/or rear seat belts are unfastened.
Risk: Incorrect indicator warning lights may lead the driver and/or passengers to be unaware of deactivated air bags or unfastened seat belts, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag/seat belt status indicator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3319E.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Campaign #19V425000 · Jul 6, 2019
Issue: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.
Risk: A wheel separating from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the front and rear wheel lug nuts to the correct specification, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3519F.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Mazda Mazda3.
POWER TRAIN
5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2020-09
“FROM A FULL STOP, VEHICLE LAGS OR LURCHES FROM TAKEOFF WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR”
“FROM A FULL STOP AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, MOVE FOOT TO HIT THE GAS PEDAL AND A DELAY OR LAG IS EXPERIENCED ABOUT 50% OR MORE OF THE TIME”
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP WHILE I WAS DOING 15 MPH AND JUST GAVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET”
ENGINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2023-11 → 2024-06
“Cracked cylinder head causing oil leak. Confirmed by Mazda Dealership”
“Cylinder head is leaking oil due to known defect by Mazda. The rocker arm rubs the cylinder and causes the wall the thin and oil to leak through”
“I noticed oil was leaking and my engine was steaming after driving. My mechanic found a crack in a cylinder after watching YouTube and finding out Mazda has this issue”
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4 NHTSA complaints · 2022-08 → 2024-02
“Dealer service tech stated the high pressure and low pressure fuel pumps failed and needed replaced”
“Shown engine light on dashboard and Car was struggling to run while pressing the gas, took to the mazda dealership and they told low pressure and high pressure fuel pump needs to be replaced”
“Faulty Fuel pump by factory”
VISIBILITY/WIPER
4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2021-01
“MY MAZDA 3 WINDSHIELD IS PRONE TO CHIPPING AND CRACKING AT THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT. TODAY, WITHOUT ANY OBVIOUS IMPACT WHILE DRIVING, A NEW 05MM CRACK DEVELOPED”
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, A DIME SIZED ROCK STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD, LEAVING A MINOR CHIP ON THE WINDSHIELD”
“VEHICLE IN MOTION AT 65 MPH. VERY SMALL ROCK CHIP BREAKS GLASS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT CALLING FOR COMPLETE REPLACEMENT”
SEAT BELTS
3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-03 → 2026-08
“Driver’s side seat belt would not retract”
“The seat belt stopped retracting and no longer works, it was reported directly to the Mazda agency, but the warranty was not valid”
“For the seat belt it does not retract back and there was no issue before. It suddenly stopped working and all of the seatbelt is out”
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
17 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2022-08
“THE VEHICLE MAY UNEXPECTEDLY STOP WHILE DRIVING DUE TO INADVERTENT ACTIVATION OF THE SMART BRAKING SYSTEM (SBS) AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM”
“WITHOUT CAUSE: THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DETECT THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND/OR SENSE AN IMMINENT COLLISION AND SUBSEQUENTLY APPLIES THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM, CAUSING THE VEHICLE SPEED TO SUDDENLY DECREASE”
“CAR ALSO GAVE A CAMERA MALFUNCTION WARNING APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE BEFORE SLAMMING ON BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY AT 35-40MPH AND CAUSING INJURY TO DRIVER;INCIDENT OCCURRED AT CLEAR NIGHT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND”
POWER TRAIN
8 NHTSA complaints · 2020-08 → 2024-11
“The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the vehicle network malfunction, vehicle inspection”, the check engine warning light and all the safety features were disabled, and the windshield wipers turned on independently”
“The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled”
“Car suddenly stalled and failed to accelerate while driving with accelerator fully depressed”
AIR BAGS
5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2026-01
“The airbag system, specifically the curtain airbags and related airbag control components, malfunctioned by deploying spontaneously without any collision or impact”
“This message came and went intermittently whenever I had a passenger in the vehicle”
“"AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED" NEW VEHICLE 4/14/2019! ONCE WHILE TURNING IN PARKING LOT ON 4/17@151MI, TWO OTHER TIMES 30-35MPH ON 4/25@458MI AND 4/29@551MI ON ODOMETER”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2 (highway-only): 7,500 miles. Turbo engines: 5,000 miles regardless of schedule.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 7,500 miles; every 5,000 on AWD models, where the front-biased coupling wears tires unevenly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil change. Front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Skyactiv-G direct injection is sensitive to airflow restriction — inspect at every oil change.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Replace ATF every 60,000 miles severe / 100,000 normal. Use Mazda FZ ATF — substitutes cause harsh 1-2 shifts and torque converter shudder.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Iridium spark plugs every 60,000 miles on Skyactiv-G 2.0L and 2.5L; 45,000 miles on the 2.5L Turbo.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Mazda FL-22 (yellow): first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000. Do not substitute — silicate-free formula prevents water pump damage on Skyactiv engines.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
On AWD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. On most models it sits behind the glove box.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
6 crashes 1990–2024
How the 6 occupant deaths break down
5
driver deaths
1
passenger deaths
6
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2020 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
3
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2019 Mazda Mazda3 reflects Mazda's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.