2018 Mazda 3: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the backup camera and electrical. The 6 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2018

Owner complaints: 9
Recalls: 1
Crashes reported: 1
Reliability: Good; 79/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

0/6 checked

Paperwork and questions

Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3

01Confirm the other recall listed below shows as completed for this VIN. A Mazda dealer can look it up for free.
02Run the VIN through a recall lookup and confirm any open back-over prevention campaign repair has been completed.
03Ask for dealer records showing whether blind spot monitoring service bulletin work was performed.

Cold start, engine bay, and underside

Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1

04Watch the dash at startup and while driving for any blind spot system warning messages.

Test drive

At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2

05On the test drive, pass cars in adjacent lanes and confirm the blind spot warning lights come on.
06In an empty lot, brake gently to a stop several times and watch for any surge or unexpected acceleration.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Which 3 is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Mazda 3. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

Version	Drive	EPA rating
2.0L 4-cyl	FWD	32 mpg
2.5L 4-cyl	FWD	30 mpg

The 2018 Mazda 3 was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A 3 that averages well under the EPA 30 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Mazda 3, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Backup camera2No crashes
Parts delays, not system failures, drive these reports. Owners say they were notified of a back-over prevention recall campaign, then learned the part needed for the repair was not available. Neither report describes the system failing in use. The complaints focus on waiting too long for the fix, and one notes that a VIN lookup confirmed the parts were still unavailable. No crash, fire, or loss-of-control events are described.
Electrical2No crashes
Blind spot warnings stop working in one report. The dealer diagnosed a blind spot monitoring system failure at about 22,440 miles and repaired it under a service bulletin rather than a recall. The other report is more serious. The throttle opens wide while the driver is braking to park, and the car jumps a curb before hard braking stops it. The dealer could not find a fault or reproduce the problem. With only 2 complaints, no broader pattern is visible, but sudden acceleration carries clear crash risk.

How the 2018 compares with other 3 years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2018 has the fewest owner complaints of the 7 3 years we cover, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2018 Average of other years

Backup camera20
Electrical25

Where the 2018 fits in the 3's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2018 is the fifth model year of the 3's third generation (2014–2018).

It includes the 2016 update.

What changed for 2016

New dashboard layout
Updated front and rear exterior styling
Added safety features including traffic sign recognition

Recalls to confirm (1)

Recall repairs are free at any Mazda dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

23V487000Backup cameraJul 2023
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

Also looking at these instead of a 3?

Cars shoppers compare with the Mazda 3, with their own 2018 checklists.

2018 owner complaints, side by side