BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
2015 Mazda Mazda3
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
NHTSA has issued a “do not drive” advisory affecting this model year.
Campaign 15V621000. Confirm whether your specific vehicle is covered using its VIN before acting on this.
Check your VIN on NHTSA.govOverview
Our database contains 130 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Mazda Mazda3, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and driver assistance categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 743 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 35 |
| Sep 2017 | 3 | 38 |
| Oct 2017 | 2 | 40 |
| Nov 2017 | 3 | 43 |
| Dec 2017 | 2 | 45 |
| Jan 2018 | 4 | 49 |
| Feb 2018 | 3 | 52 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 53 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 54 |
| Sep 2018 | 2 | 56 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 58 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 59 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 60 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 61 |
| Mar 2019 | 2 | 63 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 64 |
| May 2019 | 2 | 66 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 67 |
| Sep 2019 | 2 | 69 |
| Oct 2019 | 2 | 71 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 72 |
| Feb 2020 | 2 | 74 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 75 |
| May 2020 | 2 | 77 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 78 |
| Aug 2020 | 2 | 80 |
| Sep 2020 | 2 | 82 |
| Apr 2021 | 2 | 84 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 85 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 86 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 87 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 88 |
| Sep 2022 | 2 | 90 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 91 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 92 |
| Aug 2023 | 2 | 94 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 95 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 96 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 97 |
| Jan 2024 | 2 | 99 |
| Feb 2024 | 2 | 101 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 102 |
| Apr 2024 | 2 | 104 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 105 |
| Jun 2024 | 2 | 107 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 108 |
| Aug 2024 | 3 | 111 |
| Sep 2024 | 4 | 115 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 116 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 117 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 118 |
| Jan 2025 | 1 | 119 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 120 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 121 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 122 |
| Oct 2025 | 2 | 124 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 126 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | 128 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | 129 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | 130 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes2822.0%
- Electrical2418.9%
- Driver assistance1511.8%
- Fuel system1411.0%
- Visibility64.7%
- Body & structure64.7%
- Engine64.7%
- Interior & seats64.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govPARKING BRAKE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, or while attempting to reverse, the rear camera flashed on and off for approximately five minutes and then started working as intended. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) by the owner of the vehicle; however, the fix failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11731350
- Incident
- Apr 15, 2026
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
While parked on a slight downhill grade, gasoline started leaking and created a significant puddle on the ground. No warning lamps, messages or other symptoms. An independent service center ran numerous tests over two days, including a smoke test. Diagnosis: There is a hole in top section of fuel tank and the fuel tank needs replaced. Recommendation was to not drive vehicle with fuel tank over half full. Due to the potential of leaking fuel in the presence of a hot ignition source increasing the risk of fire, driving the vehicle long distance with defective fuel tank appears to represent an unreasonable safety risk. Unfortunately, the vehicle is currently 300 miles from home. Mazda’s Mexican-made plastic fuel tank specifically required for our vehicle’s VIN is not currently available. (Mazda makes a similar metal fuel tank in [XXX] which will not fit.) Mazda has an estimated three-month backlog in [XXX] for the fuel tank. Still awaiting repair due to lack of availability of the appropriate fuel tank. Major safety recall NHTSA 16V684000 for the 2015 Mazda3 addresses a manufacturing defect where a fuel tank weld could fail, leading to fuel leaks and a potential fire. Recall is for vehicles produced between 12/4/13 – 9/18/15. Our vehicle was manufactured 02/2015 in [XXX] . However, recall is limited to three specific series of VINs and our vehicle falls in the gap between subject VIN ranges. A recent NHTSA complaint XXX (1/27/26) has the same issue: fuel tank leak, but not within range of recall VINs. It seems that the list of affected VINs included in recall 16V684000 should be expanded to include additional Mexican manufactured vehicles potentially with the same issue. Or create a new recall. Having a hole in the top of a plastic fuel tank securely mounted to the vehicle is unexpected through normal wear and tear. Any fuel leakage increases the risk of fire. NHTSA should investigate if this is due to a defect in Mazda’s manufacturing process. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR
- NHTSA ID
- 11726838
- Incident
- Feb 1, 2026
Fuel leaking out of top of tank. Took car to two different shops. They both told me about a recall on the gas tank. They did every test possible and replaced O ring. Even did smoke evap system test. Tank still leaks from the top when full. They said the tank needs replaced. There is a recall for the year make and model but not my VIN?
- NHTSA ID
- 11713563
- Incident
- Dec 17, 2025
Description On 12-15-2025, in 18°F weather, the vehicle was parked on a residential sloped driveway with the manual parking brake fully engaged. While the driver was outside the vehicle, the parking brake system failed to hold the car’s weight. The vehicle rolled backward, crashed through a wooden railing, teetering on a 4-foot retaining wall, and came to rest over a culvert. Two young children were inside the vehicle at the time of the failure. Component Failure & Availability: The manual parking brake system failed to provide sufficient holding force to secure the vehicle. The rear brake calipers are currently available for inspection. Safety Risk: The safety of the two children inside the vehicle was put at extreme risk due to the unexpected movement of the car. This failure matches the exact conditions and consequences described in Safety Recall 1217F (NHTSA Campaign 17V-393), which states that "unexpected movement of the vehicle if parked on a slope" increases the risk of a collision. Reproducibility & Confirmation: The failure occurred under the specific environmental triggers (cold temperature and slope) identified in the manufacturer's own safety recall documentation. However, the manufacturer has officially refused to authorize the internal teardown of the actuator shafts—the only diagnostic method capable of verifying the rust and sliding resistance that causes this loss of holding force. Inspections: The vehicle has been visually inspected by an authorized dealership and insurance representatives. The manufacturer has declined the necessary internal mechanical diagnostics to verify the internal defect. Warning Symptoms: There were no warning lamps, messages, or symptoms prior to the failure. The parking brake felt fully engaged at the time the vehicle was parked.
- NHTSA ID
- 11711269
- Incident
- Dec 15, 2025
Catalytic converter keeps giving me check engine
- NHTSA ID
- 11706906
- Incident
- Dec 23, 2025
I had purchased a car through Facebook Marketplace after talking to the seller and seeing a CarFax report on the car we decided to purchase it. After coming home the following day I look closer at the documents and realized the CarFax did not match the VIN of the car I purchased. After looking up the CarFax with the VIN on the car I purchased I saw that the person who sold me the car had rolled back the odometer.
- NHTSA ID
- 11706401
- Incident
- Dec 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). However, the dealer refused to complete the recall repairs due to the vehicle having a Salvage Title. The contact stated that the rearview camera displayed a black screen while the vehicle was in reverse(R). The contact stated that the failure obstructed the driver's visibility, which prevented the driver from safely operating the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11696444
- Incident
- Oct 22, 2025
- Mileage
- 86,000 mi
The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V393000 (Parking Brake); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
- NHTSA ID
- 11691201
- Incident
- Oct 3, 2025
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
SUSPENSION
Supersession between B60S-34-300G/350G and B60S-34- 300H/350H. Please be advised that the G-level and H-level control arms are not interchangeable. The G-level part cannot be used to repair a vehicle built with the H-level. The H-level part can be used to repair a vehicle built with the G-level, but the ball joint retainer (d- Code 34-552) has been eliminated.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE
This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. Examples: 1. Devices connected to the DLC-2 (battery discharge/DTC stored) 2. Devices plugged into the 12V outlet 3. GPS tracking device (engine no start/battery discharge) 4. Dash cam (DTC stored) 5. Non-certified USB cable (Apple Carplay™/ Android Auto™ will not connect) 6. Over-sized wheels/tires (incorrect GPS location) 7. DTC C0023:14 8. Decorative trim and/or cover on the START/STOP ENGINE button Example 1: Some electrical devices connected to the DLC-2 connector by insurance or mobile phone companies may cause: Battery discharge. The device may disrupt the CAN system battery saver mode. • IDS/MMDS will not communicate with the vehicle due to poor DLC-2 connection. The aftermarket device may cause DLC-2 female terminals to spread open.
POWER TRAIN
This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto tensioner fully operates under both high ambient temperature and high load conditions. To eliminate this concern, the shape of the drive belt auto tensioner damper has been changed. REPAIR PROCEDURE If the tensioner is found to be "No Good" after completing the Drive Belt Auto Tensioner Inspection, replace it with a modified part according to the instructions on MGSS online:
STRUCTURE:BODY
DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a replacement vehicle certification label (located on the Bpillar or front door), contact your assigned DSM (District Service Manager) to place the order. If DSM contact information is not available, refer to the Dealer & Field Contact Directory.
ENGINE; POWER TRAIN; SERVICE BRAKES
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE Refer to the applicable Workshop Manual or Owner's Manual for vehicle -specific manufacturer scheduled maintenance. Workshop Manual - Refer to section 00-00 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. Owner's Manual - Refer to section 8 Maintenance and Care. b. Note: Please refer to the information below outlining the services not included in Mazda's Factory Scheduled Maintenance: IMPORTANT: Recommending fluid flushes when not necessary can lead to customer confusion and dissatisfaction. Fluid flushing for preventive maintenance purposes is strongly discouraged, unless otherwise specified in a published procedure (Owner’s Manual, Workshop Manual, Technical Service Bulletin, etc.).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs and bulletin(s) listed below: The changes are noted below in red. SA-010/23 02/09/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience one or more electrical malfunctions after a vehicle body repair. A newly painted fender stay (2) may be causing a poor front harness (1) ground connection. The front fender stay (2) newly painted surface at ground point (3), where attachment bolt (4) is seated, may create a poor front harness ground connection. NOTE: DO NOT paint ground point (3) attachment bolt (4) is seated. NEWLY INSTALLED FRONT FENDER STAY NOTE: CAUTION: If the bolt (4) contact area (3) is painted when the front fender stay (2) is newly replaced, it could cause a malfunction in the PCM. Before painting a newly replaced part, protect the bolt (4) contact area (3) with masking tape (5) as shown in the figure.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 56.9 |
| 2023 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 49.4 |
| 2022 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 38.4 |
| 2021 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 42.1 |
| 2020 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 47.6 |
| 2019 | 74 | 6 | 0 | 50.3 |
| 2018 | 107 | 4 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 2017 | 83 | 2 | 0 | 47.7 |
| 2016 | 103 | 6 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2015Viewing | 130 | 4 | 0 | 56.9 |
| 2014 | 138 | 4 | 0 | 55.5 |
| 2013 | 117 | 1 | 1 | 43.6 |
| 2012 | 226 | 1 | 1 | 41.7 |
| 2011 | 132 | 2 | 1 | 57.2 |
| 2010 | 686 | 3 | 1 | 51.4 |
| 2009 | 115 | 4 | 1 | 56.7 |
| 2008 | 303 | 3 | 1 | 55.4 |
| 2007 | 222 | 3 | 1 | 58.0 |
| 2006 | 166 | 2 | 0 | 49.8 |
| 2005 | 97 | 3 | 0 | 53.5 |
| 2004 | 145 | 3 | 0 | 51.6 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.