I have had to replace the battery on this vehicle three times in the last year. I have taken it to Mazda who replaces the battery. No excessive electrical power is being used with in the car. The car is driven regularly as well.
2016 Mazda Mazda3 electrical problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
NHTSA Recall # 23V-487 Manufacturer Recall # 6023G issued July 14, 2023 After repeated phone calls to the Manufacturer and the Mazda Dealership, the recall has not been fixed. I have been told that the parts are not available. As of this date, 16 months after the recall, Mazda has not fixed the problem. I have been told by the Manufacturer and the Mazda Dealership, that parts are not available.…
This is in reference to a Mazda recall I received in the mail in 08/19. I own a 2016 mazda3 and the recall notice was for the software/display console. I called hyman bros Mazda in newport news, va to make appt to get this fixed on 08/21/19 and was referred to the service dept. I made an appt and was seen on 08/28/19. I did not understand when I made the appt on 08/21/19 that this was not to…
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 Mazda Mazda3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2016 Mazda Mazda3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 51,600 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Mazda/Mazda3.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.