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ProblemsByVinFile / 2014-MAZDA-MAZDA3NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Mazda
2014 Mazda Mazda3 problems
The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 has 138 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 has 138 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 25 complaints (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Mazda3?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe
Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
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
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
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: 2014 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR 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 2014 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 — 25 owner reports
· ~$850 to fix
brakes — 15 owner reports
· ~$450 to fix
powertrain — 7 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
cruise control — 5 owner reports
· ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — 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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2014 Mazda3· electrical
A few times when starting up the vehicle, the Mazda emblem pops up slowly, then fades away, and the lcd system screen will continue to be a blank, black screen with no response until I restart the car. About 7-10 times it has happened where I'm driving and all of a sudden the…
Can parking break will not fully engage or becomes disengaged even though parking break handle is lifted. Car will occasionally roll FWD on a hill of break does not engage.car rolled down a hill and even jumped the parking space curbs. Driver was not in the car but break…
Due to improper design of the rearview camera wiring harness fastener, my rearview camera image has been distorted and flickering for years. There has been no remedy for this issue for many years now and its quite dangerous to have a camera that doesnt work at all.
On or about august 18th, I was driving through slow-down traffic passing the scene of a multi-car accident on highway 101 in san mateo county, ca at 35-40 MPH. Without warning, the moonroof glass exploded. (it was closed at the time.) there was no loud noise preceding the event,…
Had a problem with your 2014 Mazda Mazda3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles
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.
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.
Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 138 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Mazda Mazda3 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2014 Mazda Mazda3?
The 2014 Mazda Mazda3 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 25 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. 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 2014 Mazda Mazda3?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 25 owner complaints filed. 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 2014 Mazda Mazda3 a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 138 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. 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 2014 Mazda Mazda3?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 25 complaints filed. 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. 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 2014 Mazda Mazda3?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 138 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Mazda/Mazda3.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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