What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mazda 3?

Owners name the brakes most often with 28 complaints, followed by the unknown or other group and the electrical system.

Does the 2015 Mazda 3 have recalls?

Yes. The by-year fact shows 4 recalls for this model year. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

How many complaints does the 2015 Mazda 3 have?

NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on file. These are unverified reports from owners.

What gas mileage does the 2015 Mazda 3 get?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2015 Mazda 3 reliable?

Complaints are spread across several groups, with brakes the largest. Check the recalls and the by-year comparison sections on this page before deciding.

2015 Mazda 3 Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on file for this model year^[1]. Brakes lead the list with 28 complaints^[2].

130owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

29–33MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners reported problems in several areas of the car. Here are the biggest groups.

Brakes. 28 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe rear pads wearing out early, grooved rotors at the first oil change, a parking brake that lets the car roll, and a sudden lock up in traffic.
Unknown or other. 26 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a single part, so they cover a mix of issues.
Electrical system. 24 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the navigation and audio screen restarting while driving, a stall with warning lights, and a blind spot warning light that comes on in hot weather.
Back over prevention. 13 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the rear camera image turning distorted or blank when backing up, and a repair that was slow to arrive.
Fuel and propulsion system. 12 complaints^[9]. In the stories we read, owners describe a strong fuel smell, stalling with the check engine light on, and a fuel leak.
Seats. 6 complaints^[10].
Structure. 6 complaints^[11].
Engine. 6 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2015 3 is necessarily included.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (23V487), July 2023. About 236,100 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Parking Brake (17V393), June 2017. About 227,814 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (16V684), September 2016. About 17,484 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly (15V621), October 2015. About 14,411 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
3 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	29 / 39 / 33	$2,050
3 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	30 / 40 / 33	$2,050
3 4-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	28 / 38 / 31	$2,150
3 4-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	29 / 39 / 32	$2,100
3 4-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	25 / 36 / 29	$2,300
3 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	29 / 39 / 32	$2,100
3 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	29 / 39 / 33	$2,050
3 5-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[23]	27 / 36 / 30	$2,250
3 5-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[24]	28 / 38 / 32	$2,100
3 5-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[25]	25 / 34 / 29	$2,300

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	10.5%
5 HB FWD^[26]	5	5	5	4	10.5%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2015 Mazda 3 with 2.0L 4-cylinder^[27]	155 hp
2015 Mazda 3 with 2.5L 4-cylinder^[28]	184 hp

How 2015 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 3 model year. The 2015 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2004	145	2
2005	97	2
2006	166	1
2007	222	2
2008	303	2
2009	115	3
2010	686	3
2011	132	2
2012	226	1
2013	117	1
2014	138	4
2015	130	4
2016	104	6
2017	84	2
2018	109	4
2019	74	6
2020	32	2
2021	54	1
2022	24	0
2023	12	0
2024	12	3
2025	8	1
2026	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the 3 show 130 complaints and 4 recalls for 2015^[3]. Among the 23 model years listed, 14 have fewer complaints than 2015 and 8 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2026 (1) and the most are for 2010 (686)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2015 3?

The 2015 Mazda 3 has 130 complaints on file with NHTSA^[1]. Brakes, electrical system and the rear camera are the groups owners raise most often^[2]^[7]^[8]. A small share of reports mention a crash or a fire, and none report a death^[1]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide to what to check. Look at the recalls and the fuel sections above before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Mazda 3?: Owners name the brakes most often with 28 complaints^[2], followed by the unknown or other group^[6] and the electrical system^[7].
Does the 2015 Mazda 3 have recalls?: Yes. The by-year fact shows 4 recalls for this model year^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2015 Mazda 3 have?: NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on file^[1]. These are unverified reports from owners.
What gas mileage does the 2015 Mazda 3 get?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2015 Mazda 3 reliable?: Complaints are spread across several groups, with brakes the largest^[2]. Check the recalls and the by-year comparison sections on this page before deciding.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Mazda 3

2008 303 complaints, 2 recalls
2010 686 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 226 complaints, 1 recall
2014 138 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 this page
2016 104 complaints, 6 recalls

Compare all model years of the Mazda 3

Other Mazda models from 2015

2015 Mazda 6 60 complaints, 3 recalls

All Mazda models

Similar cars from 2015: compact cars

2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 411 complaints, 14 recalls
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class 61 complaints, 7 recalls
2015 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 49 complaints, 9 recalls
2015 Nissan Versa 254 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 Volkswagen Golf/GTI 322 complaints, 14 recalls
2015 Volkswagen Jetta 197 complaints, 8 recalls

All compact cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 130 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Mazda 3 (8 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Mazda 3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 3 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 39 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,000). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the back over prevention component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,000). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the seats component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,650). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,500). NHTSA vehicle records
6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 23V487, filed July 14, 2023: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V393, filed June 22, 2017: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V684, filed September 22, 2016: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V621, filed October 2, 2015: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for 3 4-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 30 city / 40 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 4-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 38 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 4-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 4-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 5-Door, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 39 highway / 33 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 5-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 5-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for 3 5-Door, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2015 Mazda 3 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 155 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2015 Mazda 3 with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 184 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2015 Mazda 3: problems, recalls and fuel economy