Is the Mazda 3 more reliable than the Buick Regal?

Yes, but only slightly. Both have good standing. The Mazda 3 has a lower annual repair cost, a lower chance of a major repair, and far fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The Regal makes fewer unscheduled shop visits each year, which narrows the gap.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda 3 or the Buick Regal?

The Mazda 3 has more in total, with 11 recalls across 8 model years. The Regal has 8 across just 3 model years. Per model year, the Regal's recall load is heavier. Check any specific car's VIN for open recall work before buying.

Which is cheaper to repair, the Mazda 3 or the Buick Regal?

The Mazda 3 is cheaper, at about $433 a year versus $563 for the Regal. Over five years that is roughly $650 saved. Its repairs are also less likely to be major, at 10% compared with 12% for the Regal.

What is the biggest problem with the Mazda 3?

Oil consumption is the most reported problem in owner complaints. Cars lose oil with no visible leak, and a low oil warning can appear well before the next change. Dealers often confirm it, then offer no repair. Battery drain that leaves the car unable to start is the next most common complaint.

What does the Buick Regal's false Shift to Park message mean?

Owners report a Shift to Park or Place in Park message while the shifter is already in park. The car may then not shut off fully, so the battery runs down and it may not restart. Some owners clear it by moving the shifter back and forth. One dealer diagnosed a failed shifter unit.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3: Reliability Compared

Buick Regal

Good

More Reliable

Mazda 3

Good

Reliability favors the Mazda 3 over the Buick Regal, though only slightly. The Mazda costs less to repair and draws far fewer owner complaints per car sold. The Regal needs fewer shop visits, but higher repair bills and a greater chance of a major repair keep it a step behind.

How Do the Buick Regal and Mazda 3 Generations Compare?

Most used Mazda 3 shoppers are choosing within the fourth generation, which began with the 2019 model year and ran through 2023 in the generation records. The 2018 car was the last year of the third generation, so it is the older alternative. The Regal covers only 2018 to 2020. Its sixth generation began in 2018, and 2020 was the final production year, with a facelift. A used Regal is therefore a discontinued-model purchase, and the 2020 car was the last one built.

Verdict

The Mazda 3 is more reliable than the Buick Regal, scoring 78/100 vs 74/100.

A slight edge goes to the Mazda 3. Independent repair-cost data shows a lower yearly repair bill and a smaller chance that any repair is major. Owners also file far fewer complaints per car sold. The Regal does visit the shop a little less often, and its complaint pool is small, so the gap is narrow. Both have good standing, and both have brake complaints linked to crashes. Condition and service history should count for more than the badge.

Key Differences

1Mazda 3 costs $130 less per year to repair
2Mazda 3 has 13.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Mazda 3 scores 4 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Buick Regal

—

4Mazda 3

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Regal	Mazda 3
Reliability Score	74/100	78/100
Years Tracked	3	8
Total Recalls	8	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	14.5	1.3
Annual Repair Cost	$563/yr	$433/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	12%	10%
Year Wins	0	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Regal and Mazda 3?

Oil loss is the Mazda 3's signature complaint. Owners add a quart every 1,500 to 4,000 miles, and dealers offer no repair. Its battery drain, which can leave the car stuck after repeated battery swaps, is the second big issue. Brake reports describe the car surging with no warning light, and steering can bind at highway speed. Electrical, brake, and steering areas all have crash-linked reports. The Regal's complaints center on the stop-start system, which restarts with a delay or a jolt, and a false "Shift to Park" message that drains the battery. Its brake pedal can turn hard, with two crash-linked reports.

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Regal	Mazda 3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	1.9Low	0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.5Low	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.5Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.7Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.7Very Low	—None
ENGINE	—None	0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Regal or Mazda 3?

Repair bills favor the Mazda 3 at about $433 a year, against $563 for the Regal. That gap of $130 a year adds up to roughly $650 over five years. The Regal does win on frequency, with 0.2 unscheduled shop visits a year to the Mazda's 0.3. The chance that a repair is major is 10% for the Mazda and 12% for the Regal. In short, the Mazda is cheaper to keep, while the Regal needs fewer visits.

How Does Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Regal	Mazda 3	Edge
2019	73/1003R / 18C	78/1002R / 26C	Mazda 3
2018	74/1003R / 19C	79/1001R / 9C	Mazda 3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2018 Buick Regal scored 74/100 and the 2018 Mazda 3 scored 79/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Buick Regal vs the Mazda 3?

Choose the Mazda 3 if you want the lower running cost and the larger pool of years to shop from. Ask for proof of oil level checks, and test that the car starts after sitting for a few days. Be wary of 2021 and 2022, the weakest years. Owners say the steering bulletin covers only cars through model year 2020, so check steering feel on a highway drive in later cars. Choose the Regal if you want a midsize sedan and fewer trips to the shop. Only 2018 to 2020 are in play. Target 2020, the strongest year, and be cautious with 2019, the weakest. Test the shifter by parking and shutting the car off, since a false "Shift to Park" message can keep it running and drain the battery. Press the brake hard on a test drive and confirm any open recall work is done, because some owners said a recall part was unavailable.

Buick Regal vs Mazda 3: Common Questions

Is the Mazda 3 more reliable than the Buick Regal?: Yes, but only slightly. Both have good standing. The Mazda 3 has a lower annual repair cost, a lower chance of a major repair, and far fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold. The Regal makes fewer unscheduled shop visits each year, which narrows the gap.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda 3 or the Buick Regal?: The Mazda 3 has more in total, with 11 recalls across 8 model years. The Regal has 8 across just 3 model years. Per model year, the Regal's recall load is heavier. Check any specific car's VIN for open recall work before buying.
Which is cheaper to repair, the Mazda 3 or the Buick Regal?: The Mazda 3 is cheaper, at about $433 a year versus $563 for the Regal. Over five years that is roughly $650 saved. Its repairs are also less likely to be major, at 10% compared with 12% for the Regal.
What is the biggest problem with the Mazda 3?: Oil consumption is the most reported problem in owner complaints. Cars lose oil with no visible leak, and a low oil warning can appear well before the next change. Dealers often confirm it, then offer no repair. Battery drain that leaves the car unable to start is the next most common complaint.
What does the Buick Regal's false Shift to Park message mean?: Owners report a Shift to Park or Place in Park message while the shifter is already in park. The car may then not shut off fully, so the battery runs down and it may not restart. Some owners clear it by moving the shifter back and forth. One dealer diagnosed a failed shifter unit.

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Decided between Buick Regal and Mazda 3? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How we score the Buick Regal and Mazda 3

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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