2018 Mazda MAZDA3 reliability record
NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.
- NHTSA complaints
- 139
- Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
- Top problem area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- 30 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 4
- see below
- Reported harm
- 9 reported crashes · 7 injuries · 2 deaths
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesCounts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.
Complaint rank
#3,376
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Mazda median
-57
median 196 across 81 Mazda records
Vs 2016-2020
-148
median 288 complaints in 538 records
Top component share
22%
Electrical System: 30 complaints
What owners report fails — 2018 Mazda MAZDA3
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 16
- ENGINE 12
- BACK OVER PREVENTION 12
4 recalls on record for the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3
- NHTSA 23V487000 · 2024 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CA A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or in
- NHTSA 21V875000 · 2022 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 19V272000 · 2019 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of crash.
- NHTSA 17V745000 · 2018 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2018 Mazda MAZDA3
Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 reliable?
NHTSA has 139 consumer complaints on record for the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 and 4 recalls. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (30 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3?
Owners most often report problems with: electrical system (30), unknown or other (25), visibility/wiper (16), engine (12). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2018 Mazda MAZDA3?
This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.