Last updated: 2026-03-04

Good

2022 Mazda 3 Reliability Score & Common Problems

Name: 2022 Mazda 3
Brand: Mazda

The 2022 Mazda 3 scores 78/100 ("Good"). With 1 recall and 26 owner complaints, reliability is acceptable but not class-leading.

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

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

9.4

per 10k sold

Below avg

Est. Annual Cost

$433

Below avg

Major Repair Risk

10%

NHTSA Rating

5/5

Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity35%

68/100 (Good)

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs30%

80/100 (Excellent)

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact20%

88/100 (Excellent)

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity15%

82/100 (Excellent)

Breadth of reported problem categories

Consider

Acceptable reliability — worth considering with a pre-purchase inspection.

Top Issues

ENGINE (6)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)

1 recall on record

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.

Fourth generation (BP)

2019redesign

2020

2021

2022selected

2023

Should You Buy the 2022 Mazda 3?

The 2022 Mazda 3 scores 78/100 ("Good"), placing it in acceptable but not class-leading territory. 2022 is year 4 of the Fourth generation (BP).

With 26 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 engine (6). An extended warranty may provide additional peace of mind.

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: Owners of the 2022 Mazda 3 frequently report issues with excessive engine oil... (6 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER issues reported (4 complaints)

Compare 2022 Mazda 3 With

Good

2022 Subaru Impreza

Score: 76/100

Good

2022 BMW 2-Series

Score: 74/100

Common Problem Categories

Safety

1 manufacturer recall issued

Other

ENGINE (6)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
STEERING (3)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2)
TIRES (1)
SEAT BELTS (1)
POWER TRAIN (1)
AIR BAGS (1)
WHEELS (1)
SERVICE BRAKES (1)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1)
VISIBILITY/WIPER (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recall on record

The 2022 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

9.4

per 10k sold

Segment avg: 16.5

LowAvgHigh

Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

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.

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 3 Repair 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.

When Buying a Used 2022 Mazda 3

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing, based on the most common reported issues.

Check for excessive oil consumption by inspecting oil levels between changes
Test forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control for unexpected braking
Inspect the windshield for distortion or waviness affecting visibility
Verify sunroof integrity to prevent unexpected breakage
Test navigation and backup camera functionality for glitches
Inspect steering for premature wear or unexpected shifts

Check Any 2022 Mazda 3's History Before You Buy

Reliability scores tell you what to expect from the 2022 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.

Run a Free VIN Check

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

Owners of the 2022 Mazda 3 frequently report issues with excessive engine oil consumption. Complaints consistently mention the "low oil" warning light activating between 3,000 to 5,000 miles after an oil change, despite the absence of visible leaks. Many owners indicate the need to add approximately one quart of oil to maintain proper levels. These reports typically occur within the first 6,000 to 7,000 miles of vehicle use. No safety incidents such as crashes or fires are noted in the complaints, but the need for frequent oil top-offs may be a consideration for potential buyers regarding maintenance expectations.

6 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 complaints

Owners of the 2022 Mazda 3 report several issues, with a focus on temperature sensor malfunctions, low oil level warnings, sunroof glass breakage, and visibility problems with the windshield. The temperature sensor issue is noted to affect engine performance, while low oil warnings occur unexpectedly, approximately 1,000 miles before scheduled oil changes. A notable safety concern is the sudden explosion of the sunroof glass, described as occurring without external impact, which could pose a risk if it happens in traffic. Additionally, owners describe the windshield as wavy, leading to visibility issues and headaches, particularly on longer drives. These complaints do not specify a consistent mileage range for occurrence, but they highlight potential safety and usability challenges for prospective buyers.

4 complaints total

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaintsSafety-related

Owners of the 2022 Mazda 3 report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, including navigation and backup camera malfunctions, described as common across Mazda models. A notable complaint involves a crash where the automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems failed to activate, with diagnostic scans revealing fault codes related to the ABS control module. This incident is linked to a recent recall, although the affected vehicle's VIN was not included. Another owner describes intermittent transmission issues during mountain driving, where the car fails to shift above third gear, accompanied by a "safety system deactivated" message on flat roads. These issues appear at varying mileages, with one owner experiencing problems as early as 4,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as one complaint involves a collision due to system failure.

3 complaints total1 crash

STEERING (3 complaints)

STEERING

3 complaintsSafety-related

Owners report issues with the 2022 Mazda 3's steering, with two complaints involving crashes and one injury. The primary concern involves sudden and uncontrollable steering shifts, particularly to the right, which occur without warning and can result in loss of vehicle control. One incident describes this happening at approximately 3,000 miles, leading to a crash with airbag deployment. Another complaint mentions system failures, including false lane assist warnings and reverse gear issues, contributing to a collision. Additionally, there are reports of premature wear on the steering wheel, although this is not linked to safety incidents. These issues suggest potential safety risks, particularly with low-mileage vehicles, and prospective buyers should consider these patterns when evaluating used models.

3 complaints total2 crashes1 injury

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

2 complaints

Owners of the 2022 Mazda 3 report issues with the vehicle's forward collision avoidance system, particularly concerning the adaptive cruise control and smart braking features. Complaints frequently mention the adaptive cruise control's tendency to brake unnecessarily, especially on city streets where lane markings are unclear, causing potential for rear-end collisions. Another issue described is the smart braking system activating without any apparent obstruction, bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop, which poses a significant safety risk. These issues are reported at various mileages, with no specific mileage range consistently identified. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported behaviors, especially if planning to use these features regularly in urban environments.

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.

3,000–5,000 milesOil consumption

4,000–19,742 milesElectrical system failures

3,000 milesSteering issues

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).

Good

2025

1 recall · 20 complaints

Good

2018

1 recall · 9 complaints

Good

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.

Good

2021

3 recalls · 95 complaints

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.

avg 77

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

Mazda 3 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	78/100 (predicted)	—	Predicted	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?

The 2022 Mazda 3 has a "Good" reliability rating with a score of 78/100. It is reasonably reliable with 1 recall and 26 owner complaints, though some issues have been reported.

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

The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 Mazda 3 include: ENGINE (6 complaints), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints), STEERING (3 complaints), FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints). These issues were identified from owner complaints analyzed by Auto Reliability Index.

How many recalls does the 2022 Mazda 3 have?

The 2022 Mazda 3 has 1 recall on record. Recalls are safety or compliance fixes issued by the manufacturer and repaired at no cost at authorized dealerships.

Is the 2022 Mazda 3 expensive to maintain?

The 2022 Mazda 3 has estimated annual repair costs of $433/year, which is $93 less than the compact cars average of $526. With a reliability score of 78/100, some repairs may be needed, but overall ownership costs are manageable.

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.