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Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2023 Chevrolet 3500 vs 2023 Mazda Mazda3

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-06 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2023 Chevrolet 3500 versus 2023 Mazda Mazda3 — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (4.4 versus 4.4) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2023 Chevrolet 3500

4.4/5
Reliability score
12 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$2,500 repair exposure
vs

2023 Mazda Mazda3

4.4/5
Reliability score
12 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$2,500 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2023 Chevrolet 3500 scores 4.4; the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 scores 4.4. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2023 Chevrolet 3500, know what you're getting into on powertrain. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2023 Chevrolet 3500
2023 Mazda Mazda3
powertrain
7 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
3 reports
moderate · ~$2,500

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2023 Chevrolet 3500 or the 2023 Mazda Mazda3?

It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (4.4 vs 4.4). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.

What goes wrong more often on the 2023 Chevrolet 3500?

Compared to the 2023 Mazda Mazda3, the 2023 Chevrolet 3500 sees more reported issues in powertrain. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2023 Mazda Mazda3?

On the categories we tracked, the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2023 Chevrolet 3500. The two are running close.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $2,500 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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