2015 Mazda Mazda3 Problems

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.

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.

The Infotainment System will randomly change radio stations while driving, or start scanning through the various system menus, and on at least in one case, started randomly making phone calls from a connected phone. This creates a major distraction while driving. This has been looked at by the dealership and would cost $1500 for the system repair. I understand that this is a known problem.

The Mazda Connect touch screen in the center display may not accept touch commands properly or may operate by itself (ghost touch). The ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film of the touch screen may be corroded due to moisture, which may adhere on the lens of the touch screen during the cleaning process at the plant. The corrosion may allow the electrostatic capacity to vary without any input, causing the malfunction of the touch screen.

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.

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.

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

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?

MY CARS INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES THE REARVIEW CAMERA, STARTED MALFUNCTIONING IN EARLY 2019. THE INFOTAINMENT SCREEN (FOR THE CLOCK, RADIO, GPS AND REARVIEW CAMERA) WAS IN A REBOOT LOOP (CONSTANTLY REBOOTING OVER AND OVER). WHEN THE CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE, THE REARVIEW CAMERA WORKS SPORADICALLY, INCLUDING SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF REVERSING THE CAR. I TOOK THE CARE TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER AND (PER THE SERVICE INVOICE ATTACHED), THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS "CMU FAILURE" WHICH WOULD COST ME $1000 (ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS) TO FIX. I REFUSED, AS I DID NOT THINK IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THE CMU TO FAIL ROUGHLY FOUR (4) YEARS AFTER PURCHASE. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT'S EVIDENT THAT MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM.

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 60MPH ON A 4 LANE US ROUTE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG COMING FROM MY SUNROOF. I LOOK IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND SEE A LARGE CHUNK OF GLASS FLYING BEHIND ME. I OPEN THE SUNROOF VISOR PARTIALLY AND NOTICE I AM MISSING GLASS. THE GLASS FOR MY SUNROOF IS TEMPERED. IT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES AND VERY HUMID, BUT NO PRECIPITATION. THE PICTURE IS FROM A PARKING LOT ABOUT 10MINS AFTER THE INCIDENT.

MY SPOUSE WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD SOUND. HE SCANNED THE SURROUNDINGS AND DID NOT SEE ANY UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE. HE FELT COLD AIR AND NOISE AND WHEN HE LOOK UP, HIS SUNROOF IS GONE, JUST A FEW GLASS LEFT ON THE SIDE LOOKING LIKE GRANULES. HE HAD SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF EXPLOSION.

POWER MOONROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40MPH ON A CITY STREET. IT WAS ABOUT 52DEG F ON A CLOUDY DAY. MY WIFE WAS IN PASSENGER SEAT & GLASS FELL IN ON US. WE PULLED OVER AND CLEANED UP MOST OF IT.

Catalytic converter keeps giving me check engine

The contact owns a 2015 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, smoke was coming from under the hood of the vehicle, followed by the vehicle shut down and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's son opened the hood and flames came out from under the hood. The contact son burned his fingers but did not seek medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was contacted, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was 200,000.

THE POWER SEAT LIFT AND LOWER MECHANICS HAVE FAILED SO THAT THE SEAT NO LONGER RAISES OR LOWERS TO ITS ORIGINAL EXTENT. THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE FROM ADJUSTING THE SEAT PROPERLY FOR SAFE DRIVING. THE ACTUATOR, FUSES, AND WIRING ARE ALL FUNCTIONAL AND THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS SIMPLY NO LONGER ALLOW FULL RANGE OF MOTION REGARDING SEAT HEIGHT EVEN WITH MANUAL ADJUSTMENT. I BELIEVE THE MECHANICAL COMPONENTS SIMPLY FAILED AND AM NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC CAUSE. I AM 6'3'' AND MY WIFE IS 5'4'' AND SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT IS CRITICAL TO SAFE DRIVING.

LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER'S SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LIFTER LINK IS BROKEN. DRIVERS'S SEAT ROCKS ON THE LEFT SIDE DURING BRAKING, ACCELERATION, AND WHEN STATIONARY. THIS IS DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT COULD ALSO LEAD TO A MORE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

1. Automatic transmission suffered a catastrophic failure during operation. Transmission was discarded by Bountiful Mazda, Utah. 2. Both other and I were at risk as the vehicle could not be controlled. 3. I read similar findings on Social Media posts. 4. Bountiful Mazda confirmed metal shavings in the drain trans fluid. 5. No prior warning on car instrumentation, or while driving, or on prior inspection by Cardinaleway Mazda, Gilbert, AZ 6. Neither Mazda USA (Mfr) nor Protective Asset Protection have taken responsibility for the initial equipment failure nor reimbursement through the extended service contract even with extenuating circumstances for late notification. I can provide copies of additional relevant material.

2015 MAZDA 3 WITH 75000 MILES. TRANSMISSION IN VEHICLE FAILED SPECIFICALLY THE MAIN BEARING. TRANSMISSION IS NEEDING TO BE REBUILT. REPAIR SHOP ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE CLUTCHES WERE BURNED OUT. SYMPTOMS: DELAYED ENGAGEMENT WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD. FLAIR SHIFTING FROM 3-4.

Vehicle touch screen has aggressive and persistent “ghost touch” during vehicle operation (while in drive), which should not be possible while in drive at all. This causes any setting or feature accessible through the vehicle “infotainment” system to be activated at random leading to distracting, undesired operation. There is no setting within the “infotainment” system that allows you to disable the touch screen, leading to dangerously distracting situations. There is a voluntary extended warranty period provided by Mazda, but I was not notified required by law, nor was the warranty service offered to me when bringing my car to dealership(s) during the warranty period. Mazda is not willing to pay to fix the acknowledged safety defect.

I HAVE REPLACED AT LEAST 10 EITHER HEADLIGHTS, FOG LIGHTS OR PARK LIGHTS ON THIS CAR. BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND AT LEAST EVERY MONTH TO TWO MONTHS I AM REPLACING A BULB.

My 2015 mazda3 was in a collision on 09/08/2021 and my vehicle was totaled. None of my airbags deployed . Fortunately i only sustained neck and back injuries. I believe that i would have avoided these injuries if my airbags deployed properly. Has anyone else reported a problem with airbags on the 2015 mazda3? If there is a problem with the airbag then other owners need to be notified of this safety issue.

DRIVING INTO A RAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I THEN SLIPPED OFF THE CURVE THE EXTERNAL OF THE CAR IS NOT DAMAGED AND I'M NOT HURT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA MAZDA3 EQUIPPED WITH 215/45/ZR18 WHEELS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE WHEELS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WHEELS COMING OUT OF ROUND. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE RIM WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAVIS DISCOUNT TIRE LOCATED AT 1118 E PUTNAM AVE, RIVERSIDE, CT 06878, (203) 698-9599, TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT 3 OUT OF 4 WHEELS WERE SLIGHTLY BENT. THE WHEELS WERE REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. SMITH CAIRNS LOCATED AT 900 CENTRAL PARK AVE, YONKERS, NY 10704, (914) 377-8100, WAS CONTACTED AND DECLINED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND DECLINED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED CASE NUMBER: 1-1568373109. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,728. *DT *JS

HEADREST UNUSABLE IN SAFE DRIVING POSITION. FORCES HEAD TO FLOOR OR PREVENTS PROPER BACK PLACEMENT ON SEAT, SOMETIMES BOTH. THE ONLY WAY TO SIT IN THE SEAT COMFORTABLY IS TO HAVE THE SEAT LEANING TOO FAR BACK WHERE I CANNOT REACH THE STEERING WHEEL COMFORTABLY. WHEELS WOULD VIBRATE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55, SOMETIMES AS LOW AS 40. RECENTLY FIXED BY DEALERSHIP. BRAKES WERE IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED AND SCRAPED AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY. MADE A LOUD SCRATCH SOUND. TOOK TWO VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE FIXED. ALL EVENTS REQUIRED INDIVIDUAL VISITS TO THE REPAIR SHOP, AND I AM UNCERTAIN OF THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. ANY SMALL ISSUE RAISES EXTRA CONCERNS. VEHICLE HAS ONLY 2K MILES AFTER A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP BECAUSE OF EITHER DRIVING DISCOMFORT OR THE VEHICLE BEING IN THE SHOP TO BE WORKED ON.

I WENT TO GO STEP ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS COMING UP ON A VEHICLE THAT WAS STOPPED DUE TO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WHEN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I SLID RIGHT INTO THE GUY. I TRIED TO TURN MY WHEEL TO GO ON SHOULDER, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND IN TRAFFIC. I WASN'T SPEEDING AS THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO AS TRAFFIC WAS IN PLAY, BUT OUR LANE STARTED TO MOVE AND I STAYED BACK AND WHEN I WENT TO STEP ON BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP.

DRIVING ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. CAR WENT OFF THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS. PART OF THE STEERING RACK AND PINION MAY HAVE CRACKED. WHEN LOOKING AT THE PART IT APPEARS TO HAVE AN OLD CRACK ALONG WITH A FRESH LOOKING BREAK.

I WAS IN A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE MAZDA, AND WAS HIT AT 50MPH SPEED BY A DRUNK DRIVER WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE DRIVER HAD FALLEN ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, SO DID NOT BRAKE PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. DURING THE COLLISION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID THE SEAT BELT CATCH ME, AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH FULL STRENGTH, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY FACE WHERE I HAD HIT WITH EYE DAMAGE, AND SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE ALL OVER THE FACE WITH NERVE NUMBNESS ON THE WHOLE LEFT SIDE. OF CONCERN IS WHY NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES OF A 2 MONTH OLD VEHICLE DID NOT DEPLOY DURING A HIGH IMPACT CRASH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 MAZDA 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS WARNING LAMP REMAINED ILLUMINATED, WHICH INDICATED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO PLACED AIR IN ALL FOUR TIRES AND RESET THE CODE. WITHIN LESS THAN A WEEK, THE TPMS WARNING LAMP CAME BACK ON AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.