2015 Mazda Mazda3

Showing the 2015 Mazda3 Touring. We haven't verified this trim's engine; the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

Fuel economy
29–33 mpgcombined; city 25–30, highway 34–40; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$9,840–$11,200U.S. average; Ohio $8,790–$10,010 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
5 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
4over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
130filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2015 Mazda3. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mazda3. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service brakes26302
Unknown or other26011
Electrical system24100
Back over prevention13000
Fuel/propulsion system12010
Engine6012
Seats6101
Structure6100
Exterior lighting5100
Power train5001
Visibility/wiper5000
Air bags4303
10 more parts
Parking brake3000
Steering3201
Fuel system, gasoline2000
Wheels2000
Equipment1000
Lane departure1000
Seat belts1101
Tires1000
Vehicle speed control1000
Visibility1001

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 2006166
  2. 2007222
  3. 2008303
  4. 2009115
  5. 2010686
  6. 2011132
  7. 2012226
  8. 2013117
  9. 2014138
  10. 2015130
  11. 2016104
  12. 201783
  13. 2018109
  14. 201974
  15. 202032
  16. 202154
  17. 202224
  18. 202312
  19. 202412
  20. 20258
  21. 20261

Every Mazda3 year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2015 Mazda3 over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Back over prevention: sensing system

NHTSA campaign 23V487000 · reported Jul 14, 2023 · 236,100 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Parking brake

NHTSA campaign 17V393000 · reported Jun 22, 2017 · 227,814 vehicles potentially affected

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.

Risk: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 24, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1217F.

NHTSA's record and documents

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 16V684000 · reported Sep 22, 2016 · 17,484 vehicles potentially affected

Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been improperly handled during manufacturing and, as a result, the welded attachment of the Inlet Check Valve (ICV) may fail and allow fuel to leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0116I.

NHTSA's record and documents

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 15V621000 · reported Oct 2, 2015 · 14,411 vehicles potentially affected

Do not drive until repaired

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured May 21, 2015, to August 25, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with a fuel tank with a shut-off valve that can allow fuel to enter into the fuel tank emissions systems. If enough fuel enters the emission system it may leak out onto the ground or result in an engine stall.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. An engine that stalls increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle's fuel shut-off valve. As needed, the fuel shut-off valve and the affected fuel tank emissions system components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the repairs have been completed. Mazda will provide rental cars until that time. Owners may contact the Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800- 222-5500, option #6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8615J.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 744 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2015 Mazda3, the latest on Sep 11, 2026. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: equipment (238), electrical system (194), engine (58), equipment adaptive/mobility (57), engine and engine cooling (54).

NHTSA hasn't opened a defect investigation that covers this model year.

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2015 Mazda3.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Specs

EPA class: compact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 7–8 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
3 4-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cylManual 6-spdRegular Gasoline29 / 39 / 33
3 4-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline30 / 40 / 33
3 4-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline29 / 39 / 32
3 4-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline28 / 38 / 31
3 4-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cylManual 6-spdRegular Gasoline25 / 36 / 29
3 5-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline29 / 39 / 33
3 5-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cylManual 6-spdRegular Gasoline29 / 39 / 32
3 5-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline28 / 38 / 32
3 5-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cylAutomatic (S6)Regular Gasoline27 / 36 / 30
3 5-Door
Front-Wheel Drive
2.5 L, 4 cylManual 6-spdRegular Gasoline25 / 34 / 29

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data