2013 Mazda MAZDA3 problems
Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mazda MAZDA3. Lighting is the most reported problem area, at 20% of complaints. After that come electrical system (18%) and drivetrain & axles (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 176 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Lighting 21% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 7 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 4 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 41,000 miles 120 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 18 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 39 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 29 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 12 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 120 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 41,000 miles. For lighting specifically, the median reported mileage is about 45,000 miles (30 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 7 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 4 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Mazda MAZDA3 with enough data (125 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mazda, mazda 3. The contact stated that while sitting at a traffic stop, another vehicle crashed into the contact at 35 MPH, causing the contact's vehicle to crash into a preceding vehicle. The seat belt failed to restrain and the contact's head was thrown into the windshield. A passenger seated in the rear of the vehicle and secured in the seat belt also sustained head injuries. Both were transported to the hospital for treatment. A police report was not filed.
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 mazda 3. While driving 35 MPH, the contact's vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a broken nose, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.
The vehicle was stationary and was struck from behind at approximately 30MPH. The ratcheting system that controls the recline of the drivers seat failed causing the seat to recline as a result of the impact.
When breaking my headlights flicker on and off. It only occurs when breaking. Second issue: when backing up from reverse gear and putting car into drive the transmission hesitates to engage and the car surges forward like it is not in gear. It will also make a metal on metal sound when foot is not on the brake pedal. Third issue: at 55 MPH the vehicle shakes. Dealer said they cannot duplicate it but it happens always at 55MPH.
When you press on the brakes all the vehicles lights flashing from bright to deem the headlights, inside panel lights flashing from bright to deem making it difficult to see at night it acts like car is losing power