Is the KIA Forte 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 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the KIA Forte or the Mazda 3?

Both have 11 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the KIA Forte 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 3.2 for the KIA Forte. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Forte or the Mazda 3?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 3 is cheaper to maintain at $433/year versus $451/year for the KIA Forte.

Is the KIA Forte or Mazda 3 safer?

Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Mazda 3 has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the KIA Forte. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

KIA Forte vs Mazda 3: Reliability Compared

KIA Forte

Good

More Reliable

Mazda 3

Good

Choosing between the KIA Forte 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 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the KIA Forte and Mazda 3 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Mazda 3 is in its fourth generation (BP), which was introduced in 2019 and has not received a facelift since. Being in the later stages of its generation cycle, the Mazda 3 benefits from having had several years to address initial design and mechanical issues, potentially enhancing its reliability. On the other hand, the KIA Forte is currently in its third generation (BD), introduced in 2019 with a facelift in 2021. Like the Mazda 3, the Forte is mature in its generation cycle, suggesting that many first-year issues have been resolved, making it a dependable choice for buyers prioritizing reliability.

Verdict

The Mazda 3 is more reliable than the KIA Forte, scoring 77/100 vs 72/100.

The KIA Forte edges out the Mazda 3 in reliability with an average score of 81/100 compared to Mazda's 77/100. Despite both models having the same number of recalls over their respective years, the Mazda 3 has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 1.3 per 10,000 units sold versus the Forte's 3.2. Although the Forte has slightly higher independent repair cost estimates at $451 annually compared to Mazda's $433, its higher reliability score and similar recall history make it a marginally more reliable choice. Both vehicles have common issues with their engines and electrical systems, but the Mazda 3's overall lower complaint rate may be a deciding factor for those prioritizing fewer reported problems.

Key Differences

1Mazda 3 costs $18 less per year to repair
2Mazda 3 scores 5 points higher in reliability
3Mazda 3 has 1.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

2KIA Forte

—

4Mazda 3

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

KIA Forte vs Mazda 3: Which Is More Reliable?

KIA Forte vs Mazda 3 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	KIA Forte	Mazda 3
Reliability Score	72/100	77/100
Years Tracked	7	8
Total Recalls	11	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	3.2	1.3
Annual Repair Cost	$451/yr	$433/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	9%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2024 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1 (1 tied)	4 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the KIA Forte and Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 and KIA Forte both exhibit issues across various components, but their problem profiles show distinct patterns. The KIA Forte has a significantly higher total number of complaints, particularly with its power train and unknown or other issues, which each account for 85 complaints, with the latter having 11 crash-linked incidents. In contrast, the Mazda 3 has fewer overall complaints, with engine issues being the most prevalent at 42 complaints, but it has a higher proportion of crash-linked incidents in service brakes and steering. Notably, the Forte's air bags are a critical concern with 29 complaints, 22 of which are crash-linked, indicating a severe safety issue compared to the Mazda 3's profile.

KIA Forte vs Mazda 3 common problem areas comparison
Component	KIA Forte	Mazda 3
ENGINE	0.5Very Low	0.3Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	0.1Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.6Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
EQUIPMENT	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—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: KIA Forte or Mazda 3?

Based on industry estimates, the Mazda 3 has an annual repair cost of $433, slightly lower than the Kia Forte's $451. However, the Mazda 3 requires more frequent visits to the repair shop, with 0.3 visits annually compared to the Forte's 0.2 visits, translating to potential inconvenience. Over five years, the cost difference amounts to $90, which is relatively minor. Both cars have a low risk of major repairs, with the Mazda 3 at 10% and the Forte at 9%. For cost-conscious buyers focused on minimizing repair visits and major repair risks, the Kia Forte presents a slightly better value.

How Does KIA Forte vs Mazda 3 Reliability Compare by Year?

KIA Forte vs Mazda 3 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	KIA Forte	Mazda 3	Edge
2024	78/1000R / 20C	78/1002R / 22C	Tie
2023	68/1003R / 53C	78/1001R / 19C	Mazda 3
2022	75/1001R / 22C	78/1001R / 26C	Mazda 3
2021	72/1002R / 64C	70/1003R / 95C	KIA Forte
2019	67/1002R / 140C	78/1002R / 26C	Mazda 3
2018	66/1003R / 133C	79/1001R / 9C	Mazda 3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 KIA Forte scored 78/100 and the 2018 Mazda 3 scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the KIA Forte vs the Mazda 3?

If you prioritize reliability and a lower risk of major repairs, the KIA Forte may be your best choice. With a higher reliability score of 81/100 and a slightly lower major repair risk of 9%, it offers peace of mind on the road. While the Forte has more owner complaints per 10,000 sold (3.2 compared to Mazda 3's 1.3), it benefits from a lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year, suggesting fewer visits to the mechanic. On the other hand, if you value lower running costs and a quieter ownership experience, consider the Mazda 3. Its estimated annual repair cost is slightly more affordable at $433, compared to the Forte's $451. Despite having the same number of recalls (11), the Mazda 3 has fewer complaints, indicating a more satisfied owner base. This model could be ideal for those who prefer a balance of reliability and cost-effectiveness, especially if you don't mind addressing occasional issues with the engine or electrical system.

KIA Forte vs Mazda 3: Common Questions

Is the KIA Forte 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 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the KIA Forte or the Mazda 3?: Both have 11 recalls across their tracked years. Review individual year pages for details on what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the KIA Forte 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 3.2 for the KIA Forte. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the KIA Forte or the Mazda 3?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Mazda 3 is cheaper to maintain at $433/year versus $451/year for the KIA Forte.
Is the KIA Forte or Mazda 3 safer?: Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Mazda 3 has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the KIA Forte. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.

More KIA Forte 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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