Mazda did make a name for itself with the rotary-powered RX-7, but the brand never stopped surprising everyone with its stylish, powerful, and reliable vehicles afterward. The Mazda 3 sedan, like a majority of other stablemates, also showcases a solid dependable character and the 2013 model is no different. In the past too, the car has given much lesser trouble to its owners as compared to some of its competitors while the current model walks the same path as well. Officially, the 2013 Mazda 3 has seen 108 complaints to date along with 1 recall and 1 investigation. The investigation is an open one and was started against the airbag inflator rupture issue while the recall took care of the liftgate failures due to corrosion. The complaints against the 2013 Mazda 3 are the highest for its exterior lighting defects, followed by electrical system issues and powertrain issues. Other areas such as the steering and safety equipment see a few complaints. The sedan is rivaled by the Chevrolet Cruze, the Toyota Corolla, and the Hyundai Elantra.
Mazda 3 user complaints and problems
Engine problems
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Clutch failure: A single case of clutch failure has been reported against the 2013 Mazda 3 sedan. The owner states that the clutch failed prematurely and the vehicle was only 6 months old.
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Transmission valve failure: The transmission valve failure has been mentioned in several reports against the powertrain. Due to the valve failures, the owners of the affected vehicles experienced sudden power loss while driving, transmission failing to shift to a gear, and the transmission refusing to shift out from gear and come to neutral. However, the valve replacements resolved the issues. The brand hasn't issued any recalls yet to address this problem.
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Engine stall: A few models of the 2013 Mazda 3 faced engine stalling issues. While the owners were driving the vehicles, especially at low speeds, the engines stalled suddenly.
Safety problems
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Airbag and airbag sensor failure: A couple of cases regarding complete airbag failures were filed by the affected owners. While they were involved in crashes, the airbags failed and resulted in injuries. In other cases, the airbag sensor of the front passenger seats of the complainants malfunctioned and rendered the airbags unusable while driving.
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Brake failure: Brake failures were also reported by a few owners. They state in their reports that while driving, the brake pedals of their vehicles went all the way to the floor and the vehicles failed to stop, resulting in crashes. Some other cases were also reported where the rear brakes or the front brakes of the vehicles were worn out prematurely.
Electrical problems
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Headlight flickering: Multiple cases of headlight flickering were brought forward by the owners. All the complaints mention that wherever the brakes are pressed while driving, the headlights flicker excessively or dim to an extent where the road ahead becomes poorly visible at night.
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Excessive battery drainage: Some models of the 2013 Mazda 3 faced heavy battery drainage issues. Due to the drainage, some of the vehicles stalled while being driven and the electronics of a few vehicles stopped working completely. Some owners opted for battery replacements but the issue recurred for some of them, according to the reports.
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Power steering issue: The power steering of some of the 2013 Mazda 3 sedans saw malfunctions and failures. According to the reports, while the owners were driving the vehicles, the power steering assist stopped working intermittently or failed completely.
2013 Mazda 3 recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
September 6, 2016 |
16V644000 |
Rear Liftgate may Fall if Liftgate Stays Corrode |
If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury. |
Mazda dealers will replace both lift gate supports, free of charge, however, parts are not currently available. The recall began in April 2017. |
Should you buy a used Mazda 3?
The 2013 Mazda 3 sedan targets the compact sedan shoppers who desire a neat combo of efficiency and power and the crisp handling comes as a bonus. Yes, the smaller than the average cabin and trunk space can make the car look bad in front of its peers but with the athleticism, it offers along with the great design and reliability, the Mazda 3 is a value-for-money option. Going ahead with a used example involves no deal-breaking risk but make sure to carry out the mandatory inspections before getting one for yourself.
