2015 Mazda Mazda3 problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 129 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3, filed between 2014-10-28 and 2026-04-15. The most common problem areas are the service brakes (26, 20%), electrical system (24, 19%) and back over prevention (12, 9%). Owners reported 8 crashes, 2 fires and 9 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2015 Mazda Mazda3 complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 26 | 20% | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Unknown or other | 26 | 20% | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 24 | 19% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 12 | 9% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 9% | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 6 | 5% | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Seats | 6 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 6 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 4% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 5 | 4% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3% | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Parking brake | 3 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 2% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Service brakes: 26 complaints
- 26 complaints of 129 (20%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- Owners reported 3 crashes and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 covers this system.
Electrical system: 24 complaints
- 24 complaints of 129 (19%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 2 of them also name the exterior lighting; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 covers this system.
Back over prevention: 12 complaints
- 12 complaints of 129 (9%) name the back over prevention — the rear-view camera and rear back-over warning systems.
- None of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- One NHTSA recall covers this system on the 2015 Mazda Mazda3; the recall, campaign 23V487000, says: “The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.”
Fuel/propulsion system: 12 complaints
- 12 complaints of 129 (9%) name the fuel/propulsion system — the fuel tank, pump, lines, injectors and fuel-system controls.
- Owners reported 1 fire in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 covers this system.
Engine: 6 complaints
- 6 complaints of 129 (5%) name the engine.
- Owners reported 1 fire and 2 injuries in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 covers this system.
Seats: 6 complaints
- 6 complaints of 129 (5%) name the seats — seats, seat frames, adjusters and head restraints.
- Owners reported 1 crash and 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 20 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 4 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names MAZDA3, model year 2015. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mazda Mazda3?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2015 Mazda Mazda3's most common problem areas are the service brakes (26 of 129 complaints), electrical system (24 of 129 complaints) and back over prevention (12 of 129 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 have?
NHTSA has 129 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3, including 8 reported crashes and 2 reported fires.
Is there a recall for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3's problems?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3; 1 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.