Last updated: 2026-03-04
2018 Mazda 3 Reliability Score & Common Problems
The 2018 Mazda 3 scores 79/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 9 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.
2018 is the last model year of the Third generation (BM/BN/BY).
Recalls
1
Complaints
9
Complaint Rate
1.4
per 10k sold
Below avgEst. Annual Cost
$433
Below avgMajor Repair Risk
10%
NHTSA Rating
5/5
Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.
Top Issues
1 recall on record
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is the last model year of the Third generation (BM/BN/BY).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 2 years after the last refresh (2016).
- 3rd generation 3 (US).
What this means for buyers
Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.
Third generation (BM/BN/BY)
Should You Buy the 2018 Mazda 3?
The 2018 Mazda 3 scores 79/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2018 is the last model year of the Third generation (BM/BN/BY).
With 9 owner complaints, some reported issues may need attention, but we don't yet see evidence of a single dominant failure mode.
A pre-purchase inspection is recommended for used examples, with particular attention to back over prevention (2). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.
Compared to the 2019 Mazda 3, which scored 1 points lower.
Pros
- Acceptable reliability score
- $93 cheaper to maintain than avg compact cars
- Infrequent unscheduled repairs
- Low major repair risk (10%)
Cons
- BACK OVER PREVENTION issues reported (2 complaints)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issues reported (2 complaints)
Compare 2018 Mazda 3 With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
- BACK OVER PREVENTION (2)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)
- SUSPENSION (1)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1)
- WHEELS (1)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2018 Mazda 3 has 1 recall on record. This is a low count. Recalls are manufacturer-initiated fixes for safety or compliance issues and are repaired at no cost to the owner at authorized dealerships.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
1.4
per 10k soldSegment avg: 25.7
Safety Incidents
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Mazda 3 Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Mazda 3. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Consequence
A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.
2018 Mazda 3 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 13.8%
Safety Technologies
Mazda 3 Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$433
vs $526 avg for compact cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.3
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
10%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
When Buying a Used 2018 Mazda 3
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.
- Inspect headlamps for condensation
- Verify blind spot monitoring system functionality
- Test for unintended acceleration during parking
- Check tire manufacturing date for age and condition
- Ensure recall repairs for back over prevention are completed
Check Any 2018 Mazda 3's History Before You Buy
Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2018 3 in general — but every car has its own story. Uncover past accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and service records for a specific Mazda 3 with a free VIN lookup.
Powered by VINExposed.com — free vehicle history reports using public title and safety data.
2018 Mazda 3 Common Problems by Component
9 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
2 complaintsOwners of the 2018 Mazda 3 report issues related to back over prevention, specifically concerning delays in the availability of parts required for a recall repair. Complaints frequently mention that the manufacturer has exceeded a reasonable timeframe to provide these parts, although no failures have been experienced by the owners. There are no reports of crashes, fires, or loss of control associated with this issue. Buyers considering a used 2018 Mazda 3 should be aware of potential delays in recall repairs related to back over prevention systems.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaintsOwners of the 2018 Mazda 3 report issues related to the electrical system, specifically involving the blind spot detection and electronic throttle systems. One owner describes the blind spot monitoring system failing to function at approximately 22,440 miles, which was addressed through a service bulletin but not a recall. Another complaint highlights unintended acceleration while parking, attributed to potential voltage problems within the electronic throttle system, though the dealer could not replicate the issue. This incident resulted in the car jumping a curb, indicating potential safety implications. These reports suggest potential safety concerns due to electrical system malfunctions, with symptoms occurring at various mileages.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintHeavy condensation is occurring inside the driver side headlamp. A quick google search shows this is a common problem among Mazda owners and Mazda will not cover the repair. I am unable to get a Massachusetts state inspection sticker due to this.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2018 Mazda CX-3. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle was moving from left to right. The contact stated that the brakes were making an abnormal scraping sound. There was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The local dealer was not contacted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintWas driving my grandchildren home when an alarm that I had never heard before started sounding and BRAKE! showed up on the heads up display. The car came to a stop out in the middle of the street even though there was nothing in front of or around the vehicle. It was a good thing there was not a car behind me or they would have rear-ended my vehicle and we or the people in the car that hit us could have gotten seriously hurt. I took the car to the dealer and they did a diagnostics check and said no codes came up so there was nothing wrong with the car. They actually told me that when and if it happens again to videotape it for proof.
WHEELS (1 complaints)
WHEELS
1 complaintI WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH "NEW" TIRES. I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND FOUND OUT THE TIRES WERE MADE IN 2011 AND STARTING TO DETERIORATE SO I HAD TO BUY ACTUAL NEW TIRES. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT FEEL THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A TIRE BLOWOUT. LUCKILY I HAD RUN OVER A BOLT AND WAS TRYING TO GET A TIRE REPAIR WHEN THE TIRE PLACE TOLD ME ABOUT THE BAD CONDITION OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP FIRST DID NOT BELIEVE ME BUT WHEN I SHOWED THEM A PICTURE THEY SAID THEY CAN SELL TIRES UP TO 8 YEARS OLD AS NEW IF THEY WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ON A VEHICLE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE BUT IF THE TIRES WERE STARTING TO DRY ROT IT SEEMS LIKE A BAD IDEA AND CERTAINLY UNETHICAL IF NOT ILLEGAL.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintSafety-relatedI WAS IN A PARKING RAMP, I ROUNDED THE CORNER GOING UP AND WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. I LURCHED FORWARD INTO A WALL OF THE RAMP. IT WASN'T RAINING SO PAVEMENT AND RAMP WERE NOT WET. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR, SAID THEY SAW BREAK AND GAS PEDAL ACTIVE AT THE SAME TIME. THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR.
When Do 2018 Mazda 3 Problems Start?
Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.
Best & Worst Mazda 3 Years
Best Mazda 3 Years to Buy
The best Mazda 3 year is 2025 with a reliability score of 79/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2018 (79/100) and 2024 (78/100).
2025
1 recall · 20 complaints
2018(this page)
1 recall · 9 complaints
2024
2 recalls · 22 complaints
Mazda 3 Years to Avoid
The worst Mazda 3 year is 2021 with a score of 70/100, primarily due to engine (36) issues.
See full Mazda 3 years-to-avoid analysis →Mazda 3 Reliability Score Trend
Mazda 3 reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 77/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 78/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 79/100 | Good |
Mazda 3 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Mazda 3 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Mazda 3?
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda 3 have?
Is the 2018 Mazda 3 expensive to maintain?
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.
Browse More Mazda Models
Browse More 2018 Vehicles
2018 Lexus RX
Score: 85/100
2018 Lexus IS
Score: 81/100
2018 Toyota Corolla
Score: 80/100
2018 Lexus NX
Score: 79/100
2018 Toyota Prius
Score: 78/100
2018 Honda HR-V
Score: 78/100
2018 Nissan Sentra
Score: 77/100
2018 Lexus GX
Score: 77/100
See incorrect data? Report an issue