Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Mazda 3 Reliability Report
The 2023 Mazda 3 has good reliability and low repair costs, but owners report brake rollaway and unexpected surging at low speed.
Recalls
1
Complaints
19
Complaint Rate
6.2per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$433
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,950–$2,300
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Final year of the fourth generation, with a mid-pack standing among Mazda 3 years, one brake recall, and complaints about low-speed surging.
Top Issues to Watch
- SERVICE BRAKES (3)
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2)
- AIR BAGS (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (BP).
- Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
- 4th 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.
2019: Fourth generation (BP) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2023: This Model Year
2023 is the last model year of the Fourth generation (BP).
Should You Buy the 2023 Mazda 3?
Reliability is good. Owner complaints and federal recall records put this year above average among 2023 sedans and in the middle of the eight scored Mazda 3 years. It is the last year of the fourth generation. It earned 5 of 5 federal crash-test stars, and independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $433 against $526 for its class. The 2022 and 2024 models rate about the same.
The complaints that matter involve brakes and speed control. Owners report the car rolling forward at a stop with the pedal fully pressed. Two of those filings involve crashes, and dealers found no defect. One owner describes automatic emergency braking on the highway with nothing ahead. Others describe a surge when braking at 5 to 8 mph or pulling out of Park. Two filings describe side curtain airbags deploying at about 20 mph on slushy roads. They may describe the same incident. Federal records list one recall, for hydraulic service brakes.
Ask the seller for proof the brake recall was completed, along with any brake repair or dealer visit records. Because 2022 and 2024 rate about the same, choose on condition and paperwork.
Compared to the 2024 Mazda 3, which scored the same. See also the 2022 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
- −SERVICE BRAKES: Car rolls forward at a stop even with the brake pedal fully pressed (3 complaints)
- −SUSPENSION: Neither filing describes a suspension failure (2 complaints)
Compare 2023 Mazda 3 With
2023 Kia Forte
Reliability: 68/100
2023 Volkswagen Golf
Reliability: 75/100
2023 Subaru Impreza
Reliability: 74/100
2023 Subaru WRX
Reliability: 75/100
2023 Acura Integra
Reliability: 63/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 1 manufacturer recall issued
Other
HIGH RISK- SERVICE BRAKES (3)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
Recall Overview
1
recall on record
The 2023 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
6.2
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 14.4
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Mazda 3 Recall Details
1 recall has been issued for the 2023 Mazda 3. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
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.
Buying a used 2023 Mazda 3? Check its history first
Service brakes problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 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
2023 Mazda 3 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 14.7%
Safety Technologies
Mazda 3Repair 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.
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 2023 model year.
- Value Retained
- 64.8%
- Depreciation
- 35.2%
- Listings Analyzed
- 141
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Mazda 3 depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
26–31 MPG
Running cost: $2,400–$2,750/yr
Fuel + repair
23–28 city / 31–37 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 2023 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) | 28 | 37 | 31 | $1,950 |
| 3 4-Door 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 | 35 | 30 | $2,000 |
| 3 5-Door 2WD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 27 | 35 | 30 | $2,000 |
| 3 5-Door 2WD 2.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 | 36 | 30 | $2,000 |
| 3 5-Door 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,050 |
| 3 4-Door 4WD 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 23 | 32 | 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 2023 Mazda 3.
Hold the car at a stop with firm brake pressure and confirm it does not creep forward.
Drive on the highway and watch for automatic braking or brake warning lights with nothing ahead.
Coast through a parking lot at walking speed, tap the brake, and confirm the car slows without surging.
With your foot on the brake, shift out of Park into Drive and Reverse and check for any lurch.
Watch the dashboard for ActiveSense malfunction warnings and ask whether any have appeared before.
Run the HVAC fan on high and check the vents for white particles or dust.
Look at road signs and lane lines through the windshield for wavy or orange-peel distortion.
Ask for service records showing airbag deployments, windshield replacements, or HVAC evaporator repairs.
2023 Mazda 3 Common Problems by Component
19 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
SERVICE BRAKES
3 complaintsSafety-relatedThe car rolls forward at a stop even with the brake pedal fully pressed. Two of the 3 complaints involve crashes. In both, the dealer could not reproduce the fault or found no defect, and one owner blames brake assist that never engaged. A separate report describes automatic emergency braking on the highway with nothing ahead. The car braked to a full stop and lit the brake warning. Both patterns carry collision risk, either from rolling into traffic or from an unexpected stop at speed.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsWhite chemical particles blow through the HVAC vents into the cabin. The dealer confirmed that an evaporative coating had failed, and the repair kept the car out of service for 103 days. That report concerns a 2023 Mazda CX-30. A separate complaint describes a fuel gauge that reads inaccurately and does not drop at a steady rate. That left the driver out of gas in unfamiliar areas more than once.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 complaintsPressing the brake pedal makes the car surge as if the gas pedal were pressed. Both complaints describe this at very low speed: coasting through a parking lot at 5-8 mph, or pulling out of Park. One report also describes a surge in reverse while parking. Drivers had to press the brake hard or release and reapply it to get control back. One report adds that the car does not stop right away when braking on the freeway. These complaints report near misses but no crashes.
AIR BAGS (2 complaints)
AIR BAGS
2 complaintsSide curtain airbags deploy while the car is moving, with no collision or rollover. Both complaints describe the same conditions: about 20 mph on slushy roads. In one case, the damage led insurance to declare the car a total loss. The manufacturer reportedly cited connected data pointing to a possible rollover but refused to release the Event Data Recorder information. One filing names a 2023 Mazda CX-30. The two reports are so similar that they may describe the same incident.
SUSPENSION (2 complaints)
SUSPENSION
2 complaintsSafety-relatedNeither filing describes a suspension failure. The more serious one reports sudden acceleration while braking into a parking spot, which ended in a collision. Before it, the car showed repeated ActiveSense malfunction warnings, and the dealer blamed sensors overheating in hot weather. The other reports front-end noise and a shifting problem at 4014 miles. The technician also felt the shifting problem but said the car needed to learn the driver's habits. Both filings name a 2023 Mazda CX-30, not a Mazda 3.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaintsThe windshield has a wavy, orange-peel distortion across the whole glass. Road signs and lane lines look warped, and the effect causes dizziness on longer drives. A warranty replacement windshield turned out worse than the original. The second complaint describes the driver's side wiper failing to clear rain at about 30,000 miles. The failure came back after the dealer replaced the blades and arms. Both filings name a 2023 Mazda CX-30 rather than a Mazda 3.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintSafety-relatedWhile attempting a left-hand turn, the steering wheel suddenly became stiff and unresponsive, as if the mechanical gear had bound. This sudden resistance made it impossible to complete the turn, causing the vehicle to strike a curb at low speed. A post-accident inspection at Lee Johnson Mazda (RO# 649854) confirmed extensive damage, including a bent inner tie rod, a damaged front wheel bearing/hub assembly, and wheel/tire damage totaling over $6,500. The dealership stated no electronic fault codes were present in the computer, but the physical behavior matches the 'sticky steering' symptoms currently under federal investigation for other Mazda models (Recall 24V022 / RQ26002). I believe a mechanical failure in the steering gear caused the collision.
ENGINE (1 complaints)
ENGINE
1 complaintOne day after oil and filter change, engine LOW OIL LEVEL light illuminated on dash. Engine oil dipstick displays full oil level; no signs on oil leaks under the vehicle. Appears to be failed oil level sensor. Upon restarting the vehicle, LOW OIL LEVEL light is turned off. Intermittently returns after some time of driving. Have not observed light turning itself off without shutting down the vehicle.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (1 complaints)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaintOthers are at risk and below details how my safety was compromised. Powerlift gate/ trunk closed on my head and did not stop. It knocked me onto the ground and opened up a bloody gash on my head. Went to emergency room in the hospital to have them treat me with my head injury as I was bleeding with a head wound laceration. They sealed the wound with glue as it was in my hairline and gave aspirin for the head pain. There should be a safety feature on the power liftgate that alerts it if person or object is in the way. Other brands of vehicles have this safety feature. It is liability and there is concern for others of this happening that could potentially result in death. My injury has not fully healed as I know have recurring headaches and there will be a large scar left on my head. The vehicle is available for inspection.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintThin paint peeling off plastic surfaces
Best & Worst Mazda 3 Years
Best Mazda 3 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2018
2024
2023
(Current Model)
Mazda 3 Years to Avoid
Mazda 3 Reliability Score Trend
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 |
| 2026 | 84/100 | Excellent |
Mazda 3 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Mazda 3 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Mazda 3?
Does the 2023 Mazda 3 have brake problems?
Has the 2023 Mazda 3 been recalled?
How much does the 2023 Mazda 3 cost to repair?
Don’t buy a 2023 Mazda 3 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Mazda 3
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Mazda 3 does best on recall impact (88/100) and worst on complaint severity (71/100). 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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