2013 Mazda Mazda3 problems
The 2013 Mazda Mazda3 has 117 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Mazda Mazda3 has 117 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 24 complaints, typically surfacing around 52,436 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Mazda3 | 686 | 1 |
| 2011 Mazda3 | 132 | 1 |
| 2012 Mazda3 | 226 | 0 |
| 2013 Mazda3 (this page) | 117 | 0 |
| 2014 Mazda3 | 138 | 0 |
| 2015 Mazda3 | 129 | 0 |
| 2016 Mazda3 | 102 | 4 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Mazda Mazda3? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 24 owner reports · tends to show around 52,436 mi · ~$850 to fix
- lighting — 22 owner reports · tends to show around 49,059 mi · ~$250 to fix
- powertrain — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 41,485 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- body — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 52,500 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 52,500 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Mazda Mazda3
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2013 Mazda Mazda3
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~34,070 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~41,000 milighting~$250
- ~52,500 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Headlights and brake lights flicker when brakes are applied. My wife was stopped by a police man to inform her of these conditions.
Whenever I'm driving and using my headlights and then I step on my brakes my headlights flicker as if I were flashing somebody and I have had my battery tested and alternator and changed my headlights but the problem still occurs I have also looked on youtube to see if anyone…
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Mazda 3. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a broken nose, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The…
While driving the car engine suddenly turns off. Radio and headlights remain on, but power steering stops functioning. This has happened 5 times, 4 times on surface streets and once merging onto the highway. Local Mazda dealership could not find anything wrong the two times I…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 117 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Mazda Mazda3?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Mazda Mazda3?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 24 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,436 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 117 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 52,436 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Mazda Mazda3?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 24 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 52,436 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 52,436 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda Mazda3 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Mazda Mazda3?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 117 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.