Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, steering, and fuel system. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Mazda 3: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
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.
These years share the 2019's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
Worth adding to your 2019 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2019 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 4WD, FWD | 28–30 mpg |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Stiff, sticking steering
14,000–29,056 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Mazda 3, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Batteries go dead again and again, sometimes within the first few thousand miles, even on cars driven daily. Keyless entry is a second weak spot. Key fobs drop their connection, the locks stop responding, and push-button start fails with the fob inside the car. New fobs, fresh fob batteries, and software reflashes don't always fix it. Other reports describe the whole dash going dark while driving and a sport mode switch that falls out of its socket. At 132,000 miles, a worn wiring harness caused a power loss that kept the car under 20 mph.
A stiff wheel resists turning in both directions, gets worse over time, and is most noticeable at highway speeds. When the wheel sticks and then breaks free, drivers oversteer and the car jerks left or right, which creates a loss-of-control risk. Dealers have diagnosed a bad steering column or steering shaft, and parts can be backordered. The lane departure system is also reported to overcorrect during lane changes. The one crash report describes being hit by another driver, not a steering failure.
The car runs out of fuel while the gauge still shows about 40 miles of range left, which can strand a driver in traffic. The dealer could not explain it or reproduce it. The front crash warning light also comes on randomly, even with no other cars nearby. The other report deals with fuel pump repair work that owners can't get done because no fix is available yet, which leaves them worried about breaking down on longer trips.
Both complaints are about a part shortage, not a breakdown. Owners got notice of fuel system recall work, but dealers say the repair parts are not available. Owners feel the wait has gone on too long. Neither owner describes an actual fuel system failure. The only issue is that the open repair can't be done until parts arrive.
The front windshield develops long stress cracks that start at the pillar or the top edge, with no impact from a rock or other object. A crack about 20 inches long can block the driver's view. Dealers confirm these are stress cracks but refuse free replacement, and the manufacturer refers owners to their insurance. Replacement windshields are also backordered, so drivers wait weeks with cracked glass.
Excerpts from complaints 3 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
So the sport mode on cx3 have not bracket under the sport mode and if try to activeit the sport mode whole switch goes down you cant active with grabbing it will fall out of socket
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
Steering wheel gives resistance to movement, both left and right. This creates a safety hazard from oversteering. The contact stated that the date the failure was first noticed was Oct 1st.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2023
I was told I have a recall on my fuel pump it can die at any time! Then they tell you they have no solution for fixing it so you're taking your life in your own hands going out of town having a car break down on you! How is that right I buy a new car thinking I can drive it safely and now I'm afraid to go anywhere and this isn't the first recall this car is had either!
Filed with NHTSA, June 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 ranks joint second for owner complaints among 7 3 years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the first model year of the 3's fourth generation (2019–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Mazda fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recall repairs are free at any Mazda dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Cars shoppers compare with the Mazda 3, with their own 2019 checklists.
2019 owner complaints, side by side
