2018 Mazda Mazda3 Fuel system Problems

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a strong fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle and inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after refueling. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The dealer had to reschedule the appointment due to a scheduling issue. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a crack in the top of the fuel pump. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced, and the vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be taken to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The repair coverage was denied because the vehicle was not repaired by a dealer. The failure mileage was 179,550.

NHTSA ID

11712940

Incident

Jan 2, 2026

Mileage

179,550 mi

I was parked in a downtown garage, and the vehicle would not start after many attempts, after about 45 minutes of trying (waiting 5 minutes between tries). The engine would turn normally and sounded like it was trying to start, but didn't fully engage. It finally did after 45 mins, and I drove it to the local Mazda dealer in Honolulu. I noticed the check-engine light was on at that time (but not before the incident). They ran a diagnosis, and couldn't replicate the issue, and said it may be a battery problem with low voltage, due to the engine's error codes. But I questioned that since the engine was able to turn normally and adequately at all starting attempts. And the battery was only 2 years old. So I replaced the battery at their recommendation. About 2 hours after picking up the car from the dealer, the same issue happened again. I recorded the issue on my phone this time, and gave it to the dealer. And this time I didn't want to chance it, so had the car towed back to the same dealer. They couldn't replicate the issue immediately, but after several attempts (over a day), they finally experienced it. They said the issue is the fuel pump. I am the original owner, and had purchased the car new from a Mazda dealership, and it has less than 26K miles on it. I researched previous recalls with this same issue on Mazdas, even the same year and model, and it appears to related: [XXX] [XXX] No one was physically harmed due to this issue, but it was certainly a safety risk. If the fuel pump fails while driving, the driver could lose control of the vehicle while in motion. I have attached the invoices for the repairs. I have contacted Mazda Customer Experience and they assigned a case number # [XXX]. However, I was informed that the repairs are unlikely to be covered as there is no open recall on the VIN regarding this issue. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11616920

Incident

Sep 13, 2024

The contact’s sister owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired, and the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

NHTSA ID

11605452

Incident

Jun 24, 2024

Mileage

51,000 mi

The car just didn't want to turn on with the key and completely stopped

NHTSA ID

11593289

Incident

Feb 10, 2022

Fuel smell after a fill-up, fuel pump is cracked/deformed EXACTLY as described in Mazda bulletin 5321K (THIS BULLETIN EXCLUDES THIS MODEL). Strong fuel smell in the cabin, liquid fuel leaking from the top of the tank.

NHTSA ID

11557227

Incident

Nov 25, 2023

I have a 2018 Mazda 3 hatchback 2.5l with a faulty fuel pump. I bought the car 1 year old with 2k mikes on it in 2019 from Jake Sweeney Mazda in Cincinnati ohio. They tell me the issue with power loss and stalling I need a new fuel pump it's failing cost is $1600 to repair. Then I learn a few days later on my own 121,000 2018-2109 Mazda 3 and others were recalled due to a faulty fuel pump with the exact problem I have manufactured by Denso. But I'm told my vin # isn't on the recall. The Denso fuel pump is the brand. However no one at the dealership in Cincinnati or Columbus ohio will tell me what type of fuel pump I have. When I went to the Columbus dealership I believe called Byer Mazda they told me an upgrade was done (which never happened) to my fuel pump. Unless Mazda stole my car and returned it no work was ever done on my fuel pump. Only oil changes. Could an upgrade NOT performed and my Vin was marked as upgraded but wasn't? Why do I have a faulty fuel pump withBthe EXACT symptoms on the EXACT model or EXACT year of my Mazda.. NO ONE at Mazda will tell me what brand fuel pump was manufactured in my car. Neither the dealerships or the 800# I call can saY what fuel pump was manufactured in my car. But they can say what was recalled based on vin#. The car just turned 5 years old and shouldn't need a new fuel pump. Isn't this all a little suspicious especially since they cannot conveniently for them say what manufacturer fuel pump is in my car. The car has lost all power and stalls. What happens when I pay the $1600 and the fuel pump is the Denso that is faulty. What then? No one will help. All of this is fishy as can be especially cause I own the EXACT YEAR BRAND AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM THE OTHERS WERE RECALLED FOR. Please say to yourself this is a little fishy and ask questions instead of going by a computer. As a human being look at this as highly coincidental and needs looking into instead of dismissing me.

NHTSA ID

11529167

Incident

May 1, 2023

I was driving my car and it suddenly jerks a few times and the engine light turns on. i slowed down and then began to accelerate, and it was losing power and wouldn’t t go above 40mph - even while flooring the gas pedal. Now it won’t start at all. the lights turn on and everything else is fine, but car won’t start and after checking CEL, i’m getting the code p0192 indicating it’s Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Low Input.

NHTSA ID

11523583

Incident

May 23, 2023

The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA ID

11507490

Incident

Feb 12, 2023

Mileage

78,000 mi

PLEASE HELP ME I HAD PURCHASED A VEHICLE FROM OURISMAN MAZDA IN LAUREL MD. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT I HAD AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT AS LONG AS THE ENGINE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON ITS HOW IT WAS DESIGN. WELL IT KEEPS THE SAME SPEED AND RPM WHEN YOU LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I GUESS YOUR AGENCY HAS CONTACTED MAZDAUSA FROM MY LAST EMAIL. THIS TIME THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD PURCHASED A 2016 AND ALL ABOUT THE WARRANTY. I HAD PURCHASED A 2018 MAZDA 3 SPORT SEDAN. VIN : (XXXX). I HAD BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT WORKED AT A DEALER THAT THEY HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER I HAD LET THE LEAD MECHANIC DRIVE MY CAR AND HE SAID LOOK IT KEEPS THE SAME SPEED (AFTER HE TOOK HIS FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR) I TOLD HIM ITS NOT CRUSE CONTROL. HE THEN SAID THAT'S HOW IT WAS DESIGN. I BELIEVE IT'S IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. (XXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11114662

Incident

Jan 1, 2018

Mileage

34 mi

WHEN I LET OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR IT STILL MAINTAINS THE SPEED IT WAS GOING BEFORE I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT'S HOW ITS DESIGN. HE EVEN TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND SAID SEE IT STILL KEEPS THE SPEED I SAID ITS NOT CRUISE CONTROL. I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER AND MAZDAUSA. MAZDAUSA IGNORES ME. I JUST NEED TO GET THIS FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. WHEN I GO TO PASS IT STAYS FOR A WHILE AT THE SPEED I HIT BEFORE I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR.

NHTSA ID

11111681

Incident

Nov 4, 2017

Mileage

34 mi