2013 Mazda Mazda3 Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 45,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

When driving at highway speeds and applying brakes, the headlights will pulse bright to dim for the duration of braking. I have seen this problem reported online by several dealers and it has a known software update to fix the problem, but it is not listed under the recalls for this vehicle. A similar problem exists on the 2014 Mazda's…Owner complaint, filed 2021

When applying the brakes, the headlights dim and flicker until the brake pedal is released. Nighttime viability is substantially diminished when applying the breaks and flickering seams to send a signal to other vehicles in front of me. This defect occurs 100% of the time when applying the beaks at night when the headlights are on.Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 49,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Headlights and brake lights flicker when brakes are applied. My wife was stopped by a police man to inform her of these conditions.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 78,600 miles

In the past 6 months, my car battery has died 3 on separate occasions. Whether it's a cold start or I've driven somewhere and turned the car off. No restart, battery dead. Each time I've had to call a service for a jump and have taken it to a local auto parts store where tests have been performed on the battery, alternator and starter…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 56,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 29,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

Transmission Control Module malfunction. The AT light came on and the car made a jerking motion and a clunking noise. It lost power and would not shift which is very dangerous in moving traffic. It put me at risk for getting hit by another vehicle not expecting the abrupt change in speed by my vehicle. The check engine light is now lit…Owner complaint, filed 2023

There is a loud winding sound sound coming from the transmission and sound of metal (broken teeth) as well. We took it to a Mazda dealer and they quickly identified the issue as a failing transmission. As a result I was able to find that a service bulletin aligned with this issue (TSB No. 0500414) and confirmed this with the dealer. This…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The Brake Pedal consistently malfunctions, even after the replacement of the master cylinder (by independent service center). The master cylinder does not hold pressure due to a faulty ABS control unit (which, when Mazda was contacted, said that part was on backorder until September). If the manufacturer knows this is an issue and can't…Owner complaint, filed 2025

While driving the vehicle the pressure on the break pedal got very low. I had to push the pedal all the way down to slow down the vehicle. I took the vehicle to a nearby mazda dealership. After a couple of days they told me that there was nothing wrong with the breaks per say (pads, rotors, etc,), but that the ABS hydraulic and the…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 52,700 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

All my seatbuckels are tearing. I thought it could of been my dog, but I a certain I did not give up my seat or let him drive. My driver side is also tearing. I noticed the buckle catching when securing it, and now it has moved past snag and had a quarter inch tear that it catches on. The buckle is not wide enough for the belt. The belt…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Exact same issue as campaign number: 17v082 the seats in this year of mazda 3 are the same as in the 2010-2011 models. The metal has snapped in half causing the need for repair for safe driving. This happened while turning a corner on a city street going about 30km/h driver is 260lbsOwner complaint, filed 2021, at 116,427 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 16,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

Blower motor stopped working summer of 2020. Had it replaced at the dealership and it again stopped working in summer of 2021. Had it replaced once again and it is now making horrible noises again as it did right before it blew up the last two timesOwner complaint, filed 2021

I am a fire investigator with lexington fire department. I responded to a structure fire on the listed date. It was determined that the fire originated in the engine compartment of the vehicle and spread to the building. The vehicle belongs to hertz rental car. The individual renting the vehicle reported that he had experienced problems…Owner complaint, filed 2013

Parts named most: Body (8).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V644000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of…Owner complaint, filed 2023

The contact owns a 2013 mazda 3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v644000 (structure); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the [VIN] exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The royal palm beach dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were…Owner complaint, filed 2017

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 35,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 mazda 3. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and the power steering ability was lost. All the warning indicators flashed on the instrument panel. When the vehicle was restarted, it resumed normal operation; however, the failure recurred at least ten times. The…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 130,000 miles

The power steering on my car just stopped working and then the next day it was fine. Now, it doesn't work again and I can't drive it. I was in the driveway and wanted to back out to go to work and the wheel wouldn't turn. I need my car for work!! I see others complaining about the same issue - why isn't there a recall? I also had an…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 32,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Takata recall: once I got the airbag of my mazda3 is not safe, it worries me a lot. I hope the recall could be coming soon and I prefer to staying in a safe zone. Thanks!Owner complaint, filed 2017

I was driving on the freeway at approximately 65 MPH when all of the sudden I noticed my airbag light began blinking while in motion. I did not brake excessively and I did not hit anything or swerve. It jist randomly lit up out of the blue. Then I noticed my passenger airbag sign was off. I called the mazda dealer and they quoted me $160…Owner complaint, filed 2017

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

After filing up the gas tank, there is a strong smell of fuel coming from the car. It remains strong until the tank is run down to about 3/4. Gas can be seen dripping down the tank under the car. Gas drips are clearly visible on the ground. This has been an ongoing problem for approximately two years.Owner complaint, filed 2023

Car's electrical system will cut out without warning. This has happened on the interstate. The radio shuts down, the ability to accelerate is lost, and power steering goes. Several sensor lights come on. I have to fight to get the car to the side of the road and then turn the car off. When restarted the check engine light stays on but…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 65,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2013 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle revved and violently jerked forward without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The [VIN] was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 23,000 miles

On friday 11/22/13 4pm I went to get my oil changed and car serviced. It was the end of the day & the technicians leave at 5pm. After I received my car at 5:10pm, I decided to take side streets to go pick up my brother, instead of taking the freeway. The car started slowing down and eventually stalled in the middle of the intersection.…Owner complaint, filed 2013, at 5,600 miles

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

Purchase 4 continental extreme contact tires (pk15-46-1960: 205/55r-16) on 1/12/2015 . On saturday 8/6/2016 around 5 pm the 2 tires on the passenger blew out at the side wall at the same time. Lucky my daughter was just pulling into a parking lot (witness say she didn't hit anything). No warning lights came on indicating a problem. Had…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 96,426 miles

Brake calipers and pistons were defected and wouldn't release after you released the brake. The wheels had to be moving for the brakes the be releases. Causing the the brake pads to grind down to nothing and have metal on metal contact. It was worse in the front then the back. I received all new brake calipers because they couldn't be…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 45,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help