Is the Mazda 3 more reliable than the Nissan Versa?

Yes, but only slightly. The Mazda 3 has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, lower repair costs, and fewer unscheduled shop visits. Both cars have a good standing and the same 10% chance that a repair is major. The gap is real but small.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda 3 or the Versa?

They are tied at 11 recalls each. The difference is the spread. The Mazda 3's recalls cover 8 model years, while the Versa's cover 5. That means the Versa has more recalls packed into fewer model years.

Which costs less to repair, the Mazda 3 or the Versa?

The Mazda 3 costs less, at $433 a year against $456 for the Versa. Over five years, that is about $115 saved. The Mazda 3 also averages 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, compared with 0.4 for the Versa.

What is the biggest problem with the Nissan Versa?

The CVT is the biggest problem. Owners report sudden loss of forward drive, with the engine revving and the car not moving, often with no warning light. Others describe delayed engagement and a sudden kick into gear. Dealers often cannot reproduce the fault, so many cars leave unrepaired.

Does the Mazda 3 have an oil consumption problem?

Owners report one. Oil disappears with no visible leak, and a low oil warning can appear well before the next change. Some owners add a quart every 1,500 to 4,000 miles. Dealers often confirm the use but offer no repair, so check the oil level and service records before buying.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Mazda 3

Good

Nissan Versa

Good

Slightly ahead on reliability, the Mazda 3 beats the Nissan Versa on repair cost and complaints per car sold. Recall totals are even. The Versa's main risk is a CVT that can lose drive, while the Mazda 3 has more crash-linked brake and steering reports.

How Do the Mazda 3 and Nissan Versa Generations Compare?

Shoppers in this range will meet two design changes around 2019. The Mazda 3 moved from the third generation, sold through 2018 with a facelift in 2016, to the fourth generation, which runs 2019 through 2023 in the generation data. A 2018 is the last of the older design. On the Versa side, the second generation ended in 2019 and the third began that same year. That third generation received a model year refresh for 2024, and the data lists 2024 among the weakest years. A Versa shopper covering 2018 to 2025 will see both older and newer designs.

Verdict

The Mazda 3 is more reliable than the Nissan Versa, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.

A slight edge goes to the Mazda 3. Both cars land at a good standing, and the gap is small. The Mazda 3 draws fewer owner complaints per car sold, costs a little less to keep running, and sends owners to the shop less often. Recall totals are even. The Versa's biggest risk is a CVT that can lose drive without warning. The Mazda 3's worst reports involve oil use, battery drain, and brake and steering faults. Neither car is a clear mistake, but the Mazda 3 wins on the numbers.

Key Differences

1Mazda 3 costs $23 less per year to repair
2Mazda 3 scores 2 points higher in reliability
3Mazda 3 has 0.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

4Mazda 3

—

0Nissan Versa

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda 3	Nissan Versa
Reliability Score	78/100	76/100
Years Tracked	8	5
Total Recalls	11	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	1.3	1.5
Annual Repair Cost	$433/yr	$456/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	10%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda 3 and Nissan Versa?

Power train trouble defines the Versa. The CVT can lose forward drive, so the engine revs and the car does not move, often with no warning light. Fuel gauge errors and sudden power loss also appear. The Mazda 3 problems are more varied: oil vanishing between changes, batteries that drain repeatedly, and distorted windshield glass. Crash-linked areas differ. The Mazda 3 has them in service brakes and steering, including surging at low speed. The Versa has them in air bags, where owners describe a failure to deploy in a front-end crash, though no inspection confirmed a fault.

Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda 3	Nissan Versa
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	—None	0.4Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Mazda 3 or Nissan Versa?

Running costs favor the Mazda 3, but only by a little. Independent repair-cost data puts it at $433 a year against $456 for the Versa. That gap is $23 a year, or about $115 over five years, so price should not decide this one. The Mazda 3 also needs fewer unscheduled shop visits, at 0.3 a year against 0.4. The chance that a repair is major is 10% for both cars. Expect small savings, not a different ownership experience.

How Does Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda 3	Nissan Versa	Edge
2025	79/1001R / 20C	81/1000R / 9C	Nissan Versa
2024	78/1002R / 22C	73/1001R / 91C	Mazda 3
2021	70/1003R / 95C	77/1003R / 29C	Nissan Versa
2018	79/1001R / 9C	76/1005R / 55C	Mazda 3

Best years to cross-shop: The 2018 Mazda 3 scored 79/100 and the 2021 Nissan Versa scored 77/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Mazda 3 vs the Nissan Versa?

Pick the Mazda 3 if you want the lower running cost and fewer complaints per car sold. Look at 2018 first, since it ranks among the strongest years. Avoid 2021 and 2022, the weakest. Before you buy, check the oil level history, ask about repeat battery replacements, and test the steering at highway speed. If you drive at night often, look through the windshield for wavy areas. Pick the Versa if you want a simple commuter and can accept some CVT risk. Target 2021, a strong year, and avoid 2020 and 2024, the weakest. Test drive from a stop several times and watch for delayed engagement, whining, or a kick into gear. Walk away if the car hesitates. Dealers often cannot reproduce CVT faults, so a car with a vague repair history deserves extra caution. Ask for service records either way.

Mazda 3 vs Nissan Versa: Common Questions

Is the Mazda 3 more reliable than the Nissan Versa?: Yes, but only slightly. The Mazda 3 has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, lower repair costs, and fewer unscheduled shop visits. Both cars have a good standing and the same 10% chance that a repair is major. The gap is real but small.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda 3 or the Versa?: They are tied at 11 recalls each. The difference is the spread. The Mazda 3's recalls cover 8 model years, while the Versa's cover 5. That means the Versa has more recalls packed into fewer model years.
Which costs less to repair, the Mazda 3 or the Versa?: The Mazda 3 costs less, at $433 a year against $456 for the Versa. Over five years, that is about $115 saved. The Mazda 3 also averages 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, compared with 0.4 for the Versa.
What is the biggest problem with the Nissan Versa?: The CVT is the biggest problem. Owners report sudden loss of forward drive, with the engine revving and the car not moving, often with no warning light. Others describe delayed engagement and a sudden kick into gear. Dealers often cannot reproduce the fault, so many cars leave unrepaired.
Does the Mazda 3 have an oil consumption problem?: Owners report one. Oil disappears with no visible leak, and a low oil warning can appear well before the next change. Some owners add a quart every 1,500 to 4,000 miles. Dealers often confirm the use but offer no repair, so check the oil level and service records before buying.

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How we score the Mazda 3 and Nissan Versa

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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