Recalled components: fuel system, backover prevention and rearview camera, and parking brake. Most-described problem: backup camera problems (13 complaints, 10%). Most-reported area: brakes (26 complaints, 20%; median mileage when it happened: 52,000).
More complaints than most Mazda3 years
The 2015 drew 45 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 26 for a typical Mazda3 year: 1.6 times as many. It is not a year to avoid, which takes at least twice the typical count and at least 50 complaints.
Years to avoid: 2010 and 2012. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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 fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015.
The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021CX-3 vehicles.
Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
Risk: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles.
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 Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.
NHTSA listing: MAZDA3. Mazda campaign 0116I.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2015 Mazda3.
What owners report
Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mazda3. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Median 52,000 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Electrical system24 · 18%
Backover prevention and rearview camera13 · 10%
Most named: sensing system, camera (4)
Fuel and propulsion system12 · 9%
Body structure6 · 5%
Most named: body (6)
Engine6 · 5%
Seats6 · 5%
Unknown or other26 · 20%
Median 25,000 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Mazda3 recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2015 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2010 Mazda3 drew the most (83) and the 2015 drew 45.
Owner complaints
2015: 130 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Mazda3
Model year
Complaints
2010
686
2011
132
2012
226
2013
117
2014
138
2015
130
2016
104
2017
83
2018
108
2019
74
2020
32
2021
52
2022
24
2023
12
2024
12
2025
8
2026
1
Safety recalls
2015: 4 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Mazda3
Model year
Recalls
2010
3
2011
2
2012
1
2013
1
2014
4
2015
4
2016
6
2017
2
2018
4
2019
6
2020
2
2021
1
2022
0
2023
0
2024
3
2025
1
2026
0
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 130 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 Mazda3, the problems described most are backup camera problems (13), a fuel smell or fuel leak (7), and infotainment or touchscreen failures (7). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2015 Mazda3 safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2015 Mazda3 earns 5 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2015 Mazda3?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2015 Mazda3.
How do I check if my Mazda3 has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Mazda dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: MAZDA3.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.