Is the Mazda 3 more reliable than the Toyota GR86?

They're very close — both average 77/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.

Which has more recalls, the Mazda 3 or the Toyota GR86?

The Mazda 3 has more recalls (11) compared to the Toyota GR86 (3). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Mazda 3 or the Toyota GR86?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda 3 has a lower complaint rate at 1.3 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Toyota GR86. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Mazda 3 vs Toyota GR86: Reliability Compared

Mazda 3

Good

Toyota GR86

Good

Choosing between the Mazda 3 and the Toyota GR86? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 77/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

Verdict

The Mazda 3 and Toyota GR86 are evenly matched with a reliability score of 77/100.

Key Differences

1Toyota GR86 has 8 fewer total recalls
2Mazda 3 has 4.4 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Mazda 3

—

1Toyota GR86

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint Rate

Mazda 3 vs Toyota GR86: Which Is More Reliable?

Mazda 3 vs Toyota GR86 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Mazda 3	Toyota GR86
Reliability Score	77/100	77/100
Years Tracked	8	5
Total Recalls	11	3
Complaints per 10k Sold	1.3	5.7
Year Wins	3 (1 tied)	0 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Mazda 3 and Toyota GR86?

Mazda 3 vs Toyota GR86 common problem areas comparison
Component	Mazda 3	Toyota GR86
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	2.2Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	1.1Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	0.6Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	—None	—None
POWER TRAIN	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None

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

How Does Mazda 3 vs Toyota GR86 Reliability Compare by Year?

Mazda 3 vs Toyota GR86 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Mazda 3	Toyota GR86	Edge
2025	79/1001R / 20C	79/1000R / 3C	Tie
2024	78/1002R / 22C	77/1001R / 3C	Mazda 3
2023	78/1001R / 19C	77/1001R / 9C	Mazda 3
2022	78/1001R / 26C	76/1001R / 21C	Mazda 3
2026(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	78/100(predicted)	Tie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Mazda 3 scored 79/100 and the 2025 Toyota GR86 scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Mazda 3 vs Toyota GR86: Common Questions

Is the Mazda 3 more reliable than the Toyota GR86?: They're very close — both average 77/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Mazda 3 or the Toyota GR86?: The Mazda 3 has more recalls (11) compared to the Toyota GR86 (3). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Mazda 3 or the Toyota GR86?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Mazda 3 has a lower complaint rate at 1.3 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Toyota GR86. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

More Mazda 3 comparisons

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More Toyota GR86 comparisons

Toyota GR86 vs Subaru Impreza reliability Toyota GR86 vs Volkswagen Beetle reliability Toyota GR86 vs Toyota Prius reliability Toyota GR86 reliability by year Toyota GR86 years to avoid

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.

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