2015 Mazda Mazda3 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
I had purchased a car through Facebook Marketplace after talking to the seller and seeing a CarFax report on the car we decided to purchase it. After coming home the following day I look closer at the documents and realized the CarFax did not match the VIN of the car I purchased. After looking up the CarFax with the VIN on the car I purchased I saw that the person who sold me the car had rolled back the odometer.
The vehicle automator mileage was changed. The original mileage reading is over 200,000 mi. While the dashboard mileage only reads 90,780 mi. I was unaware of this until I went to the DMV to do a title transfer. The private seller is now nowhere to be found from Facebook marketplace and has blocked me but I do have receipts of everything
Mazda opened a recall on the rearview camera not working properly almost one year ago and still has not supplied a remedy. REference: 6023G | Jul 14, 2023 #23V-487
I am filing this complaint regarding existing Manufacturer Recall Number 6023G (NHTSA Recall Number 23V-487). This recall has been posted since Jul 14, 2023 and the manufacturer has failed to remedy the recall in a timely manner. The remedy is noted on the recall page: "If inspections verify there is image distortion or flickering, the rearview camera will be replaced with a new part and a wiring harness fastening seal will be added." However, the manufacturer continues to state that the remedy is not yet available.
The problem I have is with my rearview camera, as described in Manufacturer Recall Number 6023G / NHTSA Recall Number 23V-487. This problem has existed since I purchased the car in November 2022. The recall was announced on 7/14/23. Mazda has failed to provide a remedy. Dealers report that they don't have the parts needed to make the repair and that no remedy has been provided by Mazda. It is meaningless to have a recall if the manufacturer doesn't fix the problem. This is a serious safety issue as when the problem occurs, it is not possible to see behind the car via the camera/screen.
The infotainment system sometimes has "ghost touches" where random buttons on the screen are pressed without a physical press. This is dangerous because it is extremely distracting to the driver. It often changes songs or calls a random person on my phone contact list. This requires me to quickly and constantly press the "back" button for the infotainment system to prevent it from placing a call. This forces my attention and hands away from the core task of driving while the car is in motion.
My 2015 Mazda is equipped with a touch screen infotainment system. The touch screen has started to randomly change settings when the car is stopped (and running). Since correcting these changes can't be done while the car is stopped (more random changes occur), changes must be made while the car is in motion. This creates a dangerous situation by needlessly distracting the driver.
The infotainment center is "ghosting". This is a problem already recalled by Mazda but my car was not included. This started about 10 months ago. The result is that the gps system will shut down, the car, if linked to my phone will automatically dial random numbers, the radio stations will randomly change or be deleted. The GPS system has now become completely non functional. Having this random activity while driving or stopped creates a hazard as it requires frequent adjustments using my hands to correct the problems. The lack of a functioning gps is also problematic. This problem was brought to the attention of a Mazda dealer about 6 months ago and I was told no warranty repair was available. I also contacted Mazda USA by phone and was told no service would be provided. I have also sent a certified letter to Mazda USA with no response.
GOOD AFTERNOON, MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE GHOSTING ISSUE WITH MY INFOTAINMENT SCREEN. THIS IS HAPPENING IN MANY MAZDA 3'S THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD AS IT IS DISTRACTING WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. CURRENTLY IT IS A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL INSTEAD AND I SHOULDNT HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. MY REASONING FOR THIS IS WHEN I AM DRIVING THE SCREEN WILL GO CRAZY AND SELECT WHAT IT WANTS TO AND PLACE CALLS AND GO INTO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT AREAS. THIS CAUSE ME AND OTHER DRIVERS TO TAKE OUR EYES OF THE ROAD AND ALSO OUR HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL TO CANCEL CALLS OR TO EXIT WHERE THE SCREEN DECIDES TO GO.THIS IN TURN CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT OTHERS ON THE ROAD AS WELL. THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE TOUCH FEATURE IN THE SETTINGS ITSELF SO I CANT DISABLE THIS FUNCTION IF I WANTED TO WITHOUT TAKEN APART THE DASH AND VOIDING MY WARRANTY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY, IN MOTION, IN THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS OFF AND ON THROUGH THE WEEK.
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM HAS A GHOST FEATURE: IT STARTS TO DIAL NUMBERS AUTOMATICALLY, CHANGE STATIONS WITHOUT ANY USER INPUT AND MANY OTHER DISRUPTIONS AS IF THERE IS A CLOUD MONKEY INSTALLED IN THE SYSTEM. ISSUE EXISTS AFTER RESETTING THE SYSTEM. THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE SYSTEM AND I AM JUST DRIVING AROUND WITH THE SYSTEM BEEPING ALL THE WAY. IT IS EXTREMELY DISTRACTING AND IS AFFECTING THE DRIVING. MAZDA DEALER CHARGED $150 TO SAY THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE IS TO REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM: COST $1500. I REACHED OUT TO MAZDA USING THEIR OWNER'S PORTAL AND GOT NO RESPONSE. ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME SOMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS HIDDEN FEATURE OF MAZDA.
BOUGHT NEW IN 2015. INFOMAT SYSTEM REBOOTS 3 OR 4 TIMES WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 40 DEGREES AT START UP IN A UNHEATED GARAGE ALSO WHILE DRIVING AND COLD ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. TOOK TO DEALER A COUPLE TIMES, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE PROBLEM WHILE STILL WARRANTED, ALL THEY DID WAS REBOOT THE SYSTEM. STILL DOING IT AFTER 4 YEARS. VERY FRUSTRATING, BUT NOW IT'S ON MY DIME. ONE TIME IT WENT COMPLETELY BLACK, SO I FIGURED OUT HOW TO REBOOT IT.
MAZDA INFOTAINMENT DISPLAY PROBLEM: THE TOUCH PANEL ON MY 2015 MAZDA3 OPERATES BY ITSELF AND DOES NOT ACCEPT TOUCH COMMANDS PROPERLY. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST MY CAR, BUT A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH FOR "MAZDA 3 INFOTAINMENT GOING CRAZY" RETURNED SEVERAL THOUSAND ARTICLES AND VIDEOS FROM FRUSTRATED MAZDA CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THESE DEFECTIVE DISPLAYS CREATE HAZARDOUS DRIVING ENVIRONMENTS FOR ME AND OTHERS WHO LIVE IN STATES WITH 'HANDS-FREE' LAWS.
THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WHILE THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED, CREATING A SERIOUS DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER. FOR EXAMPLE, THE SYSTEM CAN BE TUNED TO THE RADIO AND THEN IT WILL RANDOMLY SWITCH TO THE PHONE FUNCTION AND DIAL A NUMBER AGAIN AT RANDOM FROM MY CONTACTS LIST.TRYING TO DISENGAGE THE CALL DOESN'T WORK AS IT KEEPS DIALING OR WILL REDIAL. THIS HAPPENS REPEATEDLY. IT WILL ALSO AT TIMES CHOOSE A RADIO STATION WHICH IS NOT THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN SELECTED. WHILE THESE MAY SOUND MINOR THEY CREATE A HAZARD BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE COMMUNICATIONS FEATURES WHEN THEY TAKE ON A LIFE OF THEIR OWN.
ON 11/19 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 PM TRAVELING AT ABOUT 20 MPH ON A TWO LANE STREET WITH NO VISIBLE VEHICLES AROUND A POP SOUND FOLLOWED BY GLASS ROLLING OFF THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE OCCURRED; A FAILURE OF THE SUNROOF.
REARVIEW CAMERA- HAS NOT CONSISTENTLY WORKED FOR TWO YEARS - I GET EITHER A BLACK SCREEN WITH THE STANDARD BACKUP WARNING, A FLICKERING/ROLLING SCREEN, NO CHANGE FROM HAVING IT IN DRIVE/PARK OR IT WORKS. THE FLICKERING SCREEN DOES SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE ON DAMP/WET DAYS, BUT CAN HAPPEN ANYTIME. HAVING LIMITED NECK MOVEMENT, THIS DEVICE IS ESSENTIAL. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER, SEEMS TO WORK, SHOWED THEM VIDEOS, THEY SAY UNLESS THEY SEE THE CAMERA IN OPERATION, NOTHING CAN BE DONE. ATTACHED IS ONE STILL PHOTO (TAKEN 8 SEP 17, I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO OF THE ROLLING SCREEN.
I HAVE HAD MY MAZDA 3 AS A BRAND NEW CAR SINCE 2015. JUST 2 YEARS LATER, MY AC COMPRESSOR FAILS AND I HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THERE ARE NOT EVEN PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE AC COMPRESSOR YET. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE MECGANIC, THEY THINK IT JUST NEEDS A RECHARGE. BUT, AFTER THE SERVICE, THE AIR IS STILL NOT BLOWING COLD. THE AC COMPRESSOR IS FROZEN. THE AC COMPRESSORS ON MAZDAS ARE FAULTY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME ON MY 2006 MAZDA, JUST A YEAR AFTER PURCHASING IT. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING MAZDA AGAIN.
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 2017 AT 11:00 A.M., I WAS DRIVING MY 2015 MAZDA 3 (S TOURING) BACK TO KNOXVILLE, TN FROM YORK, PA. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF OF DRIVING (NEAR SHIPPENSBURG, PA), I HEARD A LOUD SOUND LIKE A GUN SHOT AND DEBRIS HITTING THE TOP OF THE CAR AND THEN REALIZED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED. I WAS IN LIGHT TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING AT THE 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT. I WAS NOT BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE NOR WAS MY CAR STRUCK BY ANYTHING FROM THE ROAD OR THE AIR. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ABOUT MY SITUATION, I LEARNED THAT THE NHTSA REFERS TO THIS PROBLEM AS "SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF BREAKAGE."
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY LEAVING WORK WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN NOTICED MY SUNROOF HAD A LARGE HOLE IN IT. I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE AND TO SEE WHAT COULD HAVE HIT ME, THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY IMPACT- WITH BARELY ANY GLASS INSIDE THE CAR. THE BREAK LOOKS LIKE IT EXPLODED OUTWARDS.
THE CAR HAD A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRICAL FAILURE, MAZDA IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. I HAVE ASKED MAZDA AND THE DEALER BY PHONE, EMAIL, AND POSTAL MAIL WHAT I SHOULD DO IF THIS OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE FROM MAZDA. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON A CITY STREET, DURING THE DAY OF 8/11/16,ALL THE INDICATOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. I PULLED IN TO A PARKING LOT AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN (PUSH BUTTON) AND NOTHING HAPPENED; NO LIGHTS, NO SOUNDS. I WAITED SEVERAL MINUTES AND TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THIS TIME IT STARTED. I TURNED IT OFF AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED MAZDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER. ON 8/20/16 THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMED THAT MORE THAN 60 ERROR CODES HAD GONE ON A ONCE, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE. I HAVE EMAILED AND WRITTEN TO MAZDA ASKING IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY, ASKING IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN WOULD THE AND WHAT I SHOULD DO IF IT HAPPENS. MORE THAN A MONTH HAS PASSED AND I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE FROM MAZDA.
WHEN THE CAR IS GETTING WET AND RUNNING IN A HUMPS WE ALWAYS HEARD A SQUEAKING OR CRACKING SOUNDS ON THE FRONT WHEEL, LIKELY ITS IN FRONT SHOCK, I GUESS
RADIATOR HOSE DISCONNECTED WHICH DRAINED ANTIFREEZE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO RUN HOT.
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The 2015 Mazda Mazda3 has 21 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.