MAZDA MAZDA3 · model year

2015 MAZDA MAZDA3

152 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2015MAZDAMAZDA3 carries 152 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2015 MAZDA3 is unknown or other with 26 filings, followed by service brakes (26) and electrical system (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2015 MAZDA3, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

152
Complaints
13
Crashes
3
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths
2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

152 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER26
SERVICE BRAKES26
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11
BACK OVER PREVENTION9
SEATS6
STRUCTURE:BODY6
ENGINE6
VISIBILITY/WIPER5
POWER TRAIN5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
AIR BAGS4
STEERING3
PARKING BRAKE3
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA3

Recalls (4)

16V68400022/09/2016

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the I

17V39300022/06/2017

PARKING BRAKE

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.

23V48700014/07/2023

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.

15V62100002/10/2015

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fu

Recent Complaints

20260127FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel leaking out of top of tank. Took car to two different shops. They both told me about a recall on the gas tank. They did every test possible and replaced O ring. Even did smoke evap system test. Tank still leaks from the top when full. They said the tank needs replaced. There is a recall for the year make and model but not my VIN?

20260115CrashSERVICE BRAKES

Description On 12-15-2025, in 18°F weather, the vehicle was parked on a residential sloped driveway with the manual parking brake fully engaged. While the driver was outside the vehicle, the parking brake system failed to hold the car’s weight. The vehicle rolled backward, crashed through a wooden railing, teetering on a 4-foot retaining wall, and came to rest over a culvert. Two young children were inside the vehicle at the time of the failure. Component Failure & Availability: The manual parking brake system failed to provide sufficient holding force to secure the vehicle. The rear brake calipers are currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: The safety of the two children inside the vehicle was put at extreme risk due to the unexpected movement of the car. This failure matches the exact conditions and consequences described in Safety Recall 1217F (NHTSA Campaign 17V-393), which states that "unexpected movement of the vehicle if parked on a slope" increases the risk of a c

20251224ENGINE

Catalytic converter keeps giving me check engine

20251224FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Catalytic converter keeps giving me check engine

20251221UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I had purchased a car through Facebook Marketplace after talking to the seller and seeing a CarFax report on the car we decided to purchase it. After coming home the following day I look closer at the documents and realized the CarFax did not match the VIN of the car I purchased. After looking up the CarFax with the VIN on the car I purchased I saw that the person who sold me the car had rolled back the odometer.

20251029BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the dealer refused to complete the recall repairs due to the vehicle having a Salvage Title. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

20251003PARKING BRAKE

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

20250930UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The vehicle automator mileage was changed. The original mileage reading is over 200,000 mi. While the dashboard mileage only reads 90,780 mi. I was unaware of this until I went to the DMV to do a title transfer. The private seller is now nowhere to be found from Facebook marketplace and has blocked me but I do have receipts of everything

20250829ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Infotainment System will randomly change radio stations while driving, or start scanning through the various system menus, and on at least in one case, started randomly making phone calls from a connected phone. This creates a major distraction while driving. This has been looked at by the dealership and would cost $1500 for the system repair. I understand that this is a known problem.

20250310POWER TRAIN

1. Automatic transmission suffered a catastrophic failure during operation. Transmission was discarded by Bountiful Mazda, Utah. 2. Both other and I were at risk as the vehicle could not be controlled. 3. I read similar findings on Social Media posts. 4. Bountiful Mazda confirmed metal shavings in the drain trans fluid. 5. No prior warning on car instrumentation, or while driving, or on prior inspection by Cardinaleway Mazda, Gilbert, AZ 6. Neither Mazda USA (Mfr) nor Protective Asset Protection have taken responsibility for the initial equipment failure nor reimbursement through the extended service contract even with extenuating circumstances for late notification. I can provide copies of additional relevant material.

20250102FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Since the middle of 2023 I have noticed a gas fume smell both inside and outside of my 2015 Mazda Mazda3 after I fill my gas tank to full. This smell persists up until I use about a half tank of gas or slightly less. I do not top my gas tank off and stop filling when the automatic gas pump stops. There are no visible leaks on or around the gas tank or below the vehicle, and there are no noticeable cracks around the gas tank, valves, lines, etc. Additionally, there are no warning lights present on my dashboard or any codes.

20241230ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Mazda Connect touch screen in the center display may not accept touch commands properly or may operate by itself (ghost touch). The ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film of the touch screen may be corroded due to moisture, which may adhere on the lens of the touch screen during the cleaning process at the plant. The corrosion may allow the electrostatic capacity to vary without any input, causing the malfunction of the touch screen.

20241102ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Mazda call this “ghost touch” it happens when the screen starts to act up like crazy, jumping from different audio sources, Bluetooth lose connection, making unwanted phone calls. Almost like a ghost is touching the screen over and over again.

20241021BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

On Thursday October 9th I drove to work at 11pm and parked my car. I backed up into my space using my back-up camera as I had always did since I had purchased my car in 2019. The next morning when I got home and put my car in reverse to back into my space, I noticed that the back-up camera did not come on. The radio continued to play on the screen, but in never switched over to the camera so that I could use this component to park. After trying several times to try to figure out what the issue was I gave up. I had an appointment that same morning, so I parked my car and came back about an hour later to leave and started my car, pulled out of my space, then put my car in reverse and the camera was back up and running again. I found this to be strange. Most likely this will happen again. I googled/researched this to see if there was a recall for this issue in this make and model and came across a few articles where others had the same or similar complaints. So it all lead me here. It see

20240924BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the back-up camera screen image was flickering and became distorted while reversing. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mileage: 60,000

20240922UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am filing this complaint regarding existing Manufacturer Recall Number 6023G (NHTSA Recall Number 23V-487). This recall has been posted since Jul 14, 2023 and the manufacturer has failed to remedy the recall in a timely manner. The remedy is noted on the recall page: "If inspections verify there is image distortion or flickering, the rearview camera will be replaced with a new part and a wiring harness fastening seal will be added." However, the manufacturer continues to state that the remedy is not yet available.

20240906LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that occasionally while the vehicle was shifted into reverse, the review camera image would not display on the digital screen. In addition, the contact stated that the image looked distorted. The contact received a notification of 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

20240904UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The problem I have is with my rearview camera, as described in Manufacturer Recall Number 6023G / NHTSA Recall Number 23V-487. This problem has existed since I purchased the car in November 2022. The recall was announced on 7/14/23. Mazda has failed to provide a remedy. Dealers report that they don't have the parts needed to make the repair and that no remedy has been provided by Mazda. It is meaningless to have a recall if the manufacturer doesn't fix the problem. This is a serious safety issue as when the problem occurs, it is not possible to see behind the car via the camera/screen.

20240826BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image failed to display. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mileage: 82,000

20240823FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Started smelling gas fumes several weeks ago after fill ups at the gas station. Took to my mechanic who diagnosed a fuel tank leak due to rust. No warning lights present. No fuel on the ground or fumes within the cabin.

Compare 2015MAZDAMAZDA3 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
The 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 152 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Yes, the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The most-complained component for the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 26 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.