The Mazda 3 Sedan has been one of the top picks in our compact sedan segment and is in the #2 position for this year as well. It remains largely unchanged from the last model year and still remains a pretty strong contender with nearly 75,000 units sold last year. The car has time and again proved to be a popular choice but has a lot of issues with its backup camera shutting off. Apart from this, people have complained about several mechanical issues as well. To add to the woes, the Japanese manufacturer has recalled the Mazda 3 three times in 2018 alone. Let’s see if the sedan justified its $20,000 price tag and whether it is a good competition to the Ford Focus, the Honda Civic, and the Toyota Corolla.
2018 Mazda 3 Sedan Problems
Electrical issues:
- Backup camera malfunction: Many people have reported the backup camera to give issues after 5,000 miles on the odometer. The backup camera stops working and does not switch when the car is put to reverse. In some cases, the image is distorted and the gridlines do not appear to give an idea of the distance. People have also complained that the backup camera screen sticks despite the car moving forward.
- Body Control Module (BCM) malfunction: The BCM of the Mazda 3 malfunctions and causes some features to be inoperable. Many people have complained that the wipers of the car stopped working during a rainy day and affected visibility. In some cases, the HVAC started giving issues. Some people have also reported issues with the electricals inside the cabin due to BCM malfunctions.
- Battery charge warning: The Mazda 3 battery gives out irregular charge to the electrical connections and activates a warning in the instrument cluster. Some people say that due to this irregular electrical charge, the car shut down while driving.
Mechanical issues:
- Engine stall issues: The Mazda 3 engine issues mainly consist of the engine stalling in the middle of the road. Many people say that the engine stalled at varying speeds without any indication but started right up after some time.
- Power steering failure: The power steering of the Mazda 3 failed and steered the sedan to one side. People complained that it happened at highway speeds and was very difficult to control. In some cases, this caused accidents and injuries to the occupants.
Exterior issues:
- Sunroof exploding: The Mazda 3 sunroof is no short of a menace to the owners. People have repeatedly complained of the sunroof exploding and causing a lot of distraction. Most of the reports claim that the explosion was sudden and was not due to external impact.
2018 Mazda 3 Sedan Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
November 21, 2017 |
17V745000 |
Engine and Engine Cooling |
Failure of an incorrect exhaust valve spring may stall the engine, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Mazda North American Operations issued a recall on January 20, 2018. The owners are notified and the dealers will inspect the engine am replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs. |
|
2. |
April 4, 2019 |
19V272000 |
Visibility |
The windshield wipers may become inoperative due to a defective wiper relay. This may reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash. |
Mazda issued a recall on May 7, 2019. The owners are notified and the dealers will inspect the engine am replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs. |
|
3. |
November 12, 2021 |
21V875000 |
Fuel System |
Cracking or deformation of the impeller in the low-pressure fuel pump may cause the failure of the fuel pump. This may stall the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the fuel pump. Mazda North American Operations issued interim letters to the owners on January 7, 2022. The manufacturer will send a second letter once the remedy is available, for which the parts will be available by September 2022. |
Should you buy the 2018 Mazda 3 Sedan?
The 2018 Mazda 3 Sedan is a stupendous offering and it would be very hard for us to go against the car. Yes, the sedan has a lot of issues and niggles with its backup camera. The wipers cause issues as well. Apart from this, there are a lot of engine stalling complaints as well. The one thing that is beneficial is the prompt response of the dealerships in solving the issues. The manufacturer has been proactively recalling the car for manufacturing issues as well. If you want to go for a Mazda 3 Sedan, we’d not recommend against it because the issues are easily solvable. If you’re looking for a used Mazda 3 check for any electrical issues and go over the recall history to be clear about what you’ll buy.
