Touchscreen in vehicle is randomly changing without my touching the screen. This is a well-documented issue in other 2014-2016 Mazdas for which a recall has been previously issued. However, my vehicle also experiences this same issue ("ghost touch") which indicates to me that the problem is not just limited to 2014-2016 vehicles and that my 2018 Mazda should be included in the original recall…
2018 Mazda Mazda3 electrical problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
What stands out
Owners have filed 28 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Mazda Mazda3 in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Mazda3 has documented electrical problems affecting the backup camera (recall issued July 2023 but parts still unavailable over a year later), infotainment touchscreen ghost-touch issues with no factory remedy for 2018 models, wiper relay failures, and unexplained parasitic battery drain. Safety-critical systems like the backup camera and wipers have created collision risks for owners, and Mazda has been slow or unwilling to address failures outside narrow recall scopes.
Owners of 2018 Mazda3 vehicles report widespread electrical failures across multiple systems. The rear backup camera—which has a July 2023 recall (6023G, NHTSA #23V-487)—regularly flickers, fuzzes, or goes completely black, often triggered by closing or opening the rear hatch. Dealerships confirm parts for this recall remain unavailable more than a year after issuance, leaving owners stranded with a non-functional safety feature. One owner backed into a curb when the camera failed, creating a collision risk that could have involved a child or animal.
The infotainment touchscreen exhibits "ghost touch"—random activation of radio stations, volume changes, settings adjustments, and Bluetooth dropouts without driver input. Owners report discoloration and cracking correlated with malfunction zones. Mazda addressed this in a service plan for 2014–2016 models and settled a class-action lawsuit, but refuses to cover 2018 vehicles with identical defects. Dealer replacement costs run $1,000.
Front and rear windshield wipers fail due to relay defects in the body control module. Some 2018 models fall outside the VIN scope of existing recalls despite matching failure modes and model year. Rear wiper failures have no recall at all. Owners faced diagnostic charges ($160) and repair quotes ($450+) out of warranty.
Additional reports include spurious parking brake illumination causing sudden deceleration, forward-sensing camera false engagement, and repeated battery drain requiring three replacements within one year—all without dealership root-cause diagnosis. One dealer banned a vehicle's VIN from return service after repair worsened the condition.
Same Mazda Mazda3 electrical reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Rear backup camera flickering, distortion, or blackout
The rear backup camera display intermittently flickers, shows distorted/fuzzy images, fails to switch from the main display, or goes completely black with no image—particularly triggered by closing or opening the rear hatch. Owners report a blank screen when reversing, creating a safety hazard when visibility through the rear windshield is limited.
When: Various mileages; notably 31,321 miles in one case; issue can occur intermittently and unpredictably
Symptoms owners cite: Camera display flickers or fuzzes; Complete loss of rear camera image (blank/black screen); Display fails to switch to rear view when in reverse; Issue triggered or worsened by closing/opening rear hatch; Temporary resolution by power-cycling the vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Mazda recall 6023G (NHTSA #23V-487) issued July 14, 2023, involves camera, wiring harness, and fastener replacement. However, parts remain unavailable as of complaints filed in 2024. Owners report dealerships unable to schedule repair due to lack of parts for over a year after recall issuance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda issued NHTSA Campaign Number 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention, Recall 6023G) in July 2023; parts not yet available despite ongoing complaints. Mazda stated 'no solution found' to some owners initially.
Infotainment touchscreen ghost touch (random activation)
The infotainment display randomly registers touches when untouched—called 'ghost touch.' The system changes radio stations, adjusts volume, toggles settings (including traction control), switches navigation, or activates/deactivates functions without driver input. Some screens show discoloration or 'spider cracking' correlated with malfunction points.
When: Intermittent, often worsening as the display heats up or after the car warms in a parking lot; occurs more frequently as the condition progresses
Symptoms owners cite: Random radio station changes; Volume spontaneously increasing or decreasing; Settings menu changes without user input; Navigation switching to other functions; Bluetooth connectivity drops; Screen discoloration or visible 'spider cracking'; Ghost touch more frequent when screen is hot
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers typically quote $1,000 to replace the entire infotainment system. One owner paid several hundred dollars out of pocket. No repair program currently covers 2018 models; Mazda's Special Service Plan (SSP) and warranty extension only apply to 2014–2016 Mazda3 vehicles despite identical hardware.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda issued a Special Service Plan (SSP) for 2014–2016 models only, settling a class-action lawsuit. No extension or recall issued for 2018 models despite identical defect reports.
Front windshield wiper failure (relay malfunction)
Front windshield wipers stop operating. Diagnostic testing reveals a defective relay in the front body control module (BCM) causing the failure. This mirrors a known recall campaign, yet some vehicles (including the complainant's) were not included in the original recall scope despite identical model year and failure mode.
When: During rainy conditions; one failure in 12/2022, another during Hurricane Ian conditions (10/2022)
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop functioning during rain or heavy weather; Complete loss of wiper operation
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed a defective relay in the front body control module. One owner paid $663.34 to repair at dealership (January 2023). Owners report being told the part failed due to electrical relay defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda recall campaign #3219D exists for front wiper relay failure, but VIN exclusions mean some identical 2018 model year vehicles are not covered. Mazda refuses responsibility for vehicles outside recall scope. File reference 00069514 noted in one complaint.
Rear windshield wiper failure
Rear windshield wipers stop functioning, similar to front wiper failures. The root cause is believed to be the same relay/BCM issue as the front wipers, but no recall or service program exists for rear wiper failures. One owner reports the issue occurred 6 months after front wiper failure was addressed.
When: During heavy rain conditions; occurred 6 months after front wiper repair
Symptoms owners cite: Rear wipers stop working during rain; Complete loss of rear wiper operation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnostic quoted $160 plus tax for diagnosis alone; potential repair costs $450 or more, requiring replacement of BCM, motor, or both. Vehicle was out of warranty (barely 3 years old).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service plan exists for rear wiper failures. Dealers treat it as a customer-paid repair outside warranty coverage.
Parking brake light illumination with power loss and forward-sensing system false engagement
While driving at highway speeds (40 MPH noted), the parking brake warning light suddenly illuminates, and the vehicle loses motive power/decelerates without driver input. Pressing the parking brake button on/off extinguishes the light and restores normal power. In the same vehicle, the forward-sensing camera (FSC) and lane departure warning (LDW) systems also engage independently, making lane maintenance difficult. Multiple unknown warning lights illuminate.
When: At 31,321 miles; failures occurred at various speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake warning light illuminates without engagement; Sudden vehicle deceleration/loss of power while driving; Forward-sensing camera engages unexpectedly; Lane departure warning system engages without lane departure; Difficulty maintaining lane control; Multiple unidentified warning lights; Failures recur after dealership repair
Codes mentioned: C1001 Type 97 (Front Sensing Camera failure), U3003 (EPB control module power supply failure Type 16), B13D3
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership flashed the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) as initial repair; failures reoccurred. Battery subsequently short-circuited. Non-manufacturer dealer scanned codes but did not repair. One owner notes this occurred at a dealership that also blamed a dash cam plugged into a charging port as a contributing factor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Open recall NHTSA Campaign 23V487000 exists; however, parts were not yet available at time of complaint. Dealership blamed external dash cam usage.
Repeated battery discharge and failure
Battery dies repeatedly over a short period (3 times within one year). After each failure, a new battery is installed, but the pattern repeats. Dealership cannot identify underlying electrical cause and dismisses complaints as driver behavior (not making long drives) or bad luck.
When: First failure unknown timing; second failure shortly after; third failure within approximately one year total; vehicle stationary in garage or driveway when failures discovered
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely discharged; Vehicle dead-start condition; Repeated battery failures
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced battery three times. Owner specifically asked if alternator was the cause; dealer said no. No root-cause diagnosis provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer replacement of battery each time without identifying or addressing underlying electrical drain or charging system fault.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
NHTSA: #23V-487 This recall has not been resolved yet despite it being established in July 2023. States no remedy available, and this is very frustrating.
To Whom It May Concern: On Sunday October 2, 2022, while driving in very rainy conditions caused by Hurricane Ian, my windshield wipers failed. On Monday, October 3, 2022, I took the car to an independent mechanic at Chesapeake Import Services in Annapolis, MD. The auto mechanic ran a diagnostic test on my vehicle to discover an electric malfunction caused by a defective relay. This is the same…
warning lights FOR ABS
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Mazda Mazda3?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 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 28 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 28,293 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/2018/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.