Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 78/100 (GOOD)

2022 Mazda 3 Reliability Report

The 2022 Mazda 3 has good reliability and low repair costs, but owners report oil loss between changes and some automatic braking faults.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

9.4per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$433

Annual Fuel Cost

$1,950–$2,300

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity68/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact88/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity82/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Good standing, well above other 2022 sedans, with fewer complaints and recalls than 2021, though owners report oil loss and automatic braking faults.

Top Issues to Watch

ENGINE (6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
STEERING (3)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2022 is year 4 of the Fourth generation (BP).

Redesigned for the 2019 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
4th generation 3 (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2019: Fourth generation (BP) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2022: This Model Year

2022 is year 4 of the Fourth generation (BP).

Should You Buy the 2022 Mazda 3?

Good reliability and a standing well above other 2022 sedans make this a solid used buy. Within the Mazda 3 lineup it lands in the middle of the scored years. The 2021 rates worse, with 95 complaints and 3 recalls. The 2023 rates about the same. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $433, against $526 for the class.

Oil loss is the most common complaint. The low-oil light comes on every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, sometimes within the first 6,000, and owners find no leaks. Driver-assist faults matter more. One owner describes automatic braking that stops the car hard on an empty freeway exit. In another report, emergency braking did nothing before a crash. Three steering reports describe sudden loss of control, one with injuries. Federal recall records list one recall for hydraulic service brakes.

Ask for oil-change records and any dealer notes about adding oil. Confirm the brake recall was completed, and test the automatic braking and cruise control on a highway drive.

Compared to the 2023 Mazda 3, which scored the same. See also the 2021 Mazda 3 for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+$93 cheaper to maintain than avg compact cars
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (10%)

Cons

−ENGINE: Oil disappears between scheduled changes, and the low-oil warning comes on long... (6 complaints)
−UNKNOWN OR OTHER: These reports cover unrelated problems (4 complaints)

Compare 2022 Mazda 3 With

2022 Kia Forte

Reliability: 75/100

Good

2022 Volkswagen Golf

Reliability: 58/100

Mixed

2022 Subaru Impreza

Reliability: 76/100

Good

2022 Subaru WRX

Reliability: 73/100

Good

2022 BMW 2 Series

Reliability: 74/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

HIGH RISK

ENGINE (6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2022 Mazda 3 carries 1 recall — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

9.4

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 17.8

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2022 Mazda 3 Recall Details

1 recall has been issued for the 2022 Mazda 3. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

23V2750002023-04-18

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2022-2023 CX-30 and 2023 CX-50 vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) may be damaged, which can result in reduced braking ability.

Consequence

Reduced braking ability can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the ABS HCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5823D.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2022 Mazda 3? Check its history first

Engine problems lead owner complaints about the 2022 Mazda 3, and 1 recall was issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2022 Mazda 3 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 5/5

Rollover risk: 15.5%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Not Available)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (-)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Mazda 3Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based 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

$433

Category Avg

$526

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

Mazda 3 Resale Value

The Mazda 3 is estimated to retain about 64.8% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.

This benchmark covers the Mazda 3 model overall and is not specific to the 2022 model year.

Value Retained: 64.8%
Depreciation: 35.2%
Listings Analyzed: 141

Listings observed in May 2021. This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.

Explore Mazda 3 depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.com

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

26–31 MPG

Running cost: $2,400–$2,750/yr

Fuel + repair

23–28 city / 31–36 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2022 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
3 4-Door 2WD 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	28	36	31	$1,950
3 4-Door 2WD 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	26	35	30	$2,000
3 5-Door 2WD 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	26	34	29	$2,050
3 4-Door 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	25	33	28	$2,150
3 4-Door 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	23	32	27	$2,200
3 5-Door 2WD 2.5L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Manual 6-spd	24	33	27	$2,200
3 5-Door 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	25	31	27	$2,200
3 5-Door 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl	4-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S6)	23	31	26	$2,300

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2022 Mazda 3.

Check the dipstick and compare oil change records against any top-offs between scheduled changes.
Ask the seller whether the low-oil warning has come on between oil changes.
Test adaptive cruise on a multilane road and watch for braking for cars in other lanes.
Back up slowly in an empty lot and confirm the car doesn't lurch forward or show false warnings.
Make sure the infotainment screen, navigation, and backup camera all work without freezing.
After a full warm-up, check that the temperature gauge reaches normal instead of staying cold.
Look through the windshield at distant objects and check for waviness or distortion.
Check the steering wheel for worn, shiny, or peeling spots.

2022 Mazda 3 Common Problems by Component

26 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ENGINE (6)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)STEERING (3)FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)TIRES (1)SEAT BELTS (1)POWER TRAIN (1)Other (5)

ENGINE

6 complaints

Oil disappears between scheduled changes, and the low-oil warning comes on long before service is due. In most reports the light appears every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, and about a quart brings the level back up. Owners find no visible leaks. Some cars start doing this within the first 6,000 miles. Owners say dealers can't explain it and offer no fix. One report describes a low oil pressure warning at highway speed. None of these reports mention a crash or fire.

6 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 complaints

These reports cover unrelated problems. In one, the temperature gauge always reads cold and the owner says performance suffers. In another, a wavy windshield distorts the view, causing headaches and making long drives hard. A third describes the sunroof glass shattering at freeway speed with a loud bang like a gunshot, with nothing nearby that could have hit it. Another low-oil message appears early, which matches the oil consumption pattern under the engine heading.

4 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaintsSafety-related

Driver-assist failures are the main safety concern. In one crash, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning do nothing before impact, and then the dash fills with collision, brake, and sensor error messages. Other complaints describe the infotainment unit glitching and the navigation and backup camera going dead. One report lists a battery that died at 19,742 miles with no cause found, plus a transmission that won't shift above third gear on mountain grades unless the driver shifts manually.

3 complaints total1 crash

STEERING (3 complaints)

STEERING

3 complaintsSafety-related

The most serious reports describe sudden loss of control. In one, the wheel jerks to the right after a loud noise while the car speeds up on its own. That crash deployed the airbags, totaled the car, and injured someone, on a car with about 3,000 miles. In another, a car shifted into reverse lunges forward and crashes, and that owner also reports false pedal-misuse and lane-assist warnings. A separate, less urgent complaint is a steering wheel surface that wears early, with warranty claims approved for some owners and denied for others.

3 complaints total2 crashes1 injury

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

The car brakes hard when nothing is in the way. Adaptive cruise control slows down for vehicles in other lanes, especially where turn lanes or lane lines are missing. The automatic braking system can also bring the car to a sudden full stop on an empty freeway exit. Owners warn that this kind of braking could get the car rear-ended. Neither report mentions an actual crash, and one owner says repeated complaints to the dealer and the automaker have not fixed it.

2 complaints total

TIRES (1 complaints)

TIRES

1 complaint

2023-06-08

On June 07, 2023, I was driving on the highway when I noticed a rumbling noise from the front driver-side tire (215/65R18). I got out and inspected the tires and observed nothing wrong with the tires. The next day (06/08) my wife was driving the vehicle on the highway (60 mph) and the vehicle started to shake. She pull the vehicle over and got out to check the vehicle. She observed the front driver-side tire sidewall was completely torn open. My wife never hit anything or ran over anything. The tire shop (Kost) could explain what happened to the tire. The shop person stated that it looked like a complete failure of the sidewall. The tire had approx. 9000 miles on it. In all my years of driving I never had a tire fail this bad.

SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)

SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

2023-03-01

Passenger seat belt was stuck retracted and had to be replaced. Coolant temperature control valve failed and car ran cold. They have many cars with this issue but no recall was issued

POWER TRAIN (1 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

2022-12-26

On December 26, 2022, after running errands for an hour or so and parking outside in parking lots, I restarted the car and pulled out of a parking lot. 3 dashboard warning lights flashed, one after the other: Engine malfunction, have vehicle inspected; Dynamic stability control malfunction, have the vehicle inspected; Safety and driver support systems partially disabled, drive safely. Vehicle was stuck in high gear and would not shift to lower gear as I pulled into the driveway (fortunately I was close to home), forcing me to have to floor the gas pedal to go up the very slight driveway incline. Dealership thought they fixed the problem, exact same thing happened on 12/28/22 (same dashboard warnings, stuck in high gear) when we were on the highway. Car was barely able to make it up the exit ramp in heavy traffic, could easily have been rear-ended. We were able to get the vehicle home by driving in Manual. It would still not downshift, even in manual, but we managed to get home (about 20 miles) in high gear with slow acceleration. Once again dealership thought they fixed the problem. Exact same thing happened (same dashboard warnings, stuck in high gear) for the third time on 1/31/23. Fortunately I was close to home and was able to pull up the driveway by flooring the gas pedal once again. Car is currently at the dealership service center again. Vehicle has 8,156 miles.

AIR BAGS (1 complaints)

AIR BAGS

1 complaint

2023-01-19

Suddenly, for no known reason, the dash displayed a warning that the seat belts and air bags are not properly operational and to get the vehicle inspected. Note there is less than 3000 miles on the vehicle. The vehicle has not been involved in any collisions and has not been damaged. I have scheduled an inspection with the dealer, and an internet search revealed this is a problem with new CX-30s.

WHEELS (1 complaints)

WHEELS

1 complaint

2025-09-02

Rear wheel bearings failed at approximately 30,000 miles and were replaced by Mazda under warrantee. The same rear wheel bearings failed at approximately 72,000 miles and are available for inspection. Dealer has confirmed bad wheel bearings on both occasions. The potential for wheel bearing failure incudes loss of control of the vehicle while in motion. Dealer has bearing available for inspection. The only warning is increasing noise as the bearing wear.

When Do 2022 Mazda 3 Problems Start?

Based on owner complaint patterns, here's when common issues tend to appear.

3,000–6,000 milesOil consumption, low-oil warnings

Best & Worst Mazda 3 Years

Best Mazda 3 Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

Mazda 3 Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Mazda 3 reliability scores by year
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
2026	84/100	Excellent

Mazda 3 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	84/100	+5	Excellent	0	0
2025	79/100	+1	Good	1	20
2024	78/100	0	Good	2	22
2023	78/100	0	Good	1	19
2022(selected)	78/100	+8	Good	1	26
2021	70/100	-8	Good	3	95
2019	78/100	-1	Good	2	26
2018	79/100	—	Good	1	9

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2022 Mazda 3 reliable?

Yes, it has good reliability and stands well above average among 2022 sedans. Within the Mazda 3 lineup it sits in the middle of the scored years. Owners filed 26 complaints, far fewer than for the 2021. Oil loss and driver-assist braking faults are the main concerns to check.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Mazda 3?

Engine oil loss leads the complaints. Owners see the low-oil warning every 3,000 to 5,000 miles and find no leaks. Next come steering reports of sudden loss of control, electrical and driver-assist failures, and automatic braking that stops the car with nothing in the way.

Does the 2022 Mazda 3 have oil consumption problems?

Some owners say it does. Oil disappears between scheduled changes, and about a quart restores the level each time. Some cars begin within the first 6,000 miles. Owners report no visible leaks and say dealers offered no fix. Ask the seller for oil-change records.

Has the 2022 Mazda 3 been recalled?

Federal recall records show one recall for this model year, covering the hydraulic service brakes. The 2021 has 3 recalls and the 2023 has 1. Check the VIN with the dealer or the federal recall lookup to confirm the repair was done.

Is the 2022 Mazda 3 cheaper to repair than other compact cars?

Yes. Independent repair-cost data estimates $433 a year across the model, compared with $526 for its class. That figure covers the Mazda 3 as a whole, not just 2022. The 2022 also earned 5 of 5 stars in federal crash testing.

Don’t buy a 2022 Mazda 3 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2022 Mazda 3

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2022 Mazda 3 does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on complaint severity (68/100). 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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