Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Mazda 3?

Based on our data, the Mazda 3 is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura Integra or the Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 has more recalls (11) compared to the Acura Integra (9). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura Integra or the Mazda 3?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda 3 has a lower complaint rate at 1.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28 for the Acura Integra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura Integra or the Mazda 3?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 3 is cheaper to maintain at $433/year versus $801/year for the Acura Integra.

Is the Acura Integra or Mazda 3 safer?

Both the Acura Integra and Mazda 3 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Acura Integra vs Mazda 3: Reliability Compared

Acura Integra

Good

More Reliable

Mazda 3

Good

Choosing between the Acura Integra and the Mazda 3? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Mazda 3 currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura Integra and Mazda 3 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mazda 3 is in its fourth generation (BP), introduced in 2019. This generation is now mature, having been on the market for several years, which typically means that initial issues have been addressed, enhancing reliability. The third-generation Mazda 3 (BM/BN/BY), which ran from 2014 to 2018, also saw a facelift in 2016, helping to refine its offerings before the new platform. In contrast, the Acura Integra lacks detailed generation history, making it challenging to pinpoint exactly where it stands in its lifecycle. Generally, cars later in their generation cycles, like the current Mazda 3, tend to have more sorted-out reliability as manufacturers refine the model over time.

Verdict

The Mazda 3 is more reliable than the Acura Integra, scoring 77/100 vs 68/100.

In terms of reliability, the Mazda 3 outperforms the Acura Integra with a higher average reliability score of 77/100 compared to the Integra's 68/100. The Mazda 3 has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 1.3 per 10,000 sold versus the Integra's 28, indicating better owner satisfaction and fewer issues. Additionally, the Mazda 3's estimated annual repair cost is $433, markedly lower than the Integra's $801, making it a more economical choice for long-term ownership. While both vehicles share some common issues, the Mazda 3's overall reliability metrics make it the better option in this comparison.

Key Differences

1Mazda 3 costs $368 less per year to repair
2Mazda 3 has 26.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mazda 3 scores 9 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Acura Integra

—

4Mazda 3

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Acura Integra vs Mazda 3: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura Integra vs Mazda 3 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura Integra	Mazda 3
Reliability Score	68/100	77/100
Years Tracked	4	8
Total Recalls	9	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	28	1.3
Annual Repair Cost	$801/yr	$433/yr
Repair Frequency	0.7/yr	0.3/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	3

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura Integra and Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 and Acura Integra exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Mazda 3 facing a more diverse range of issues compared to the Integra. The Mazda 3's primary concerns are centered around the engine, electrical system, and service brakes, with significant crash-linked complaints particularly in the service brakes (6) and steering (3) categories. In contrast, the Acura Integra's issues are overwhelmingly concentrated in the steering category, accounting for 237 out of 268 total complaints, although it has fewer crash-linked incidents overall. Notably, both models report crash-linked complaints in air bags, with the Mazda 3 having 3 such incidents and the Integra having 2, highlighting a shared area of safety concern.

Acura Integra vs Mazda 3 common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura Integra	Mazda 3
STEERING	24.8High	0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.7Very Low	0.1Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.4Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	—None	0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura Integra or Mazda 3?

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Mazda 3 is more budget-friendly for maintenance and repairs, with an annual cost of $433 compared to the Acura Integra's $801. Over five years, this translates to a savings of $1,840 for the Mazda 3 owner. Furthermore, the Mazda 3 requires fewer repair visits, with a frequency of 0.3 visits per year versus the Integra's 0.7 visits. Although the Mazda 3 has a 10% risk of major repairs, the Acura Integra's risk level remains unspecified. Overall, the Mazda 3 offers a more economical choice for cost-conscious buyers, providing lower annual expenses and fewer trips to the repair shop.

How Does Acura Integra vs Mazda 3 Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura Integra vs Mazda 3 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura Integra	Mazda 3	Edge
2025	74/1002R / 2C	79/1001R / 20C	Mazda 3
2024	68/1005R / 61C	78/1002R / 22C	Mazda 3
2023	63/1002R / 204C	78/1001R / 19C	Mazda 3
2026(predicted)	68/100(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	Mazda 3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Acura Integra scored 74/100 and the 2025 Mazda 3 scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura Integra vs the Mazda 3?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Mazda 3 is the better choice. With a higher reliability score of 77/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $433, it promises fewer unexpected expenses. The Mazda 3 also has a lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year and fewer owner complaints at 1.3 per 10,000 sold, indicating a smoother ownership experience. On the other hand, if you're drawn to a car with a luxury badge and are less concerned about potential repair costs, the Acura Integra might appeal to you. However, be prepared for a higher estimated annual repair cost of $801 and a higher complaint rate of 28 per 10,000 sold. While it has fewer recalls, its reliability score of 68/100 suggests it's less dependable overall. Choose the Integra if brand prestige outweighs the benefits of lower maintenance costs and reliability.

Acura Integra vs Mazda 3: Common Questions

Is the Acura Integra more reliable than the Mazda 3?: Based on our data, the Mazda 3 is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura Integra or the Mazda 3?: The Mazda 3 has more recalls (11) compared to the Acura Integra (9). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura Integra or the Mazda 3?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda 3 has a lower complaint rate at 1.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 28 for the Acura Integra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura Integra or the Mazda 3?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 3 is cheaper to maintain at $433/year versus $801/year for the Acura Integra.
Is the Acura Integra or Mazda 3 safer?: Both the Acura Integra and Mazda 3 received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Acura Integra comparisons

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More Mazda 3 comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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