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ProblemsByVin File / 2020-MAZDA-MAZDA3
2020 · mazda

mazda Mazda3 problems

2 safety recalls. 31 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
3 reports · avg $450
moderate
electrical
3 reports · avg $850
moderate
steering
3 reports · avg $700
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2020 Mazda3 · electrical
EL VEHICULO TIENE PROBLEMAS DE ENCENDIDO, DESPUES DE ESTAR EN REPOSO DOS DIAS NO ENCIENDE SE TIENE QUE PASAR CORRIENTE, INCLUSIVE EN MANEJOS CORTOS AL VOLVER A ENCENDER EL VEHICULO PRESENTA EL MISMO PROBLEMA, ESTE ES UN PROBLEMA EN LA MAYORIA DE ESTE TIPO DE VEHICULOS, MISMOS…
12/22/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11444732.0
2020 Mazda3 · other
While driving the vehicle decided to suddenly brake ....... thinking it was dangerous ..... lucky no one was behind me ..... that was really scarry and could have caused an accident for no reason.
12/18/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11444236.0
2020 Mazda3 · other
•The first incident I had with the SBS was about a month on the highway, I was approaching a vehicle that was braking due to upcoming traffic. I had plenty of time to stop, upwards of 8-10 car lengths. Yet my SBS kicked in and slammed the brakes, jarring me forward. Luckily no…
11/28/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11495146.0
2020 Mazda3 · suspension
I pulled into the driveway (at about 5 mph) of my passenger's home, when a very loud, metallic pop occurred somewhere inside my vehicle. I could not discern the problem by visually inspecting the car. Upon returning to my home, I arranged for the dealership to inspect the…
11/18/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11700190.0

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Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 19V907000 19/12/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles

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.
severe NHTSA 20V346000 12/06/2020

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles

Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.

Common questions

Is the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 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.

What's the most common problem on the 2020 Mazda Mazda3?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 3 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 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 2020 Mazda Mazda3?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 31 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 17 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with mazda. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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