Model year 2015 · Compact Cars, Midsize Cars

2015 Mazda 3: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2015 Mazda 3 at 29–33 mpg combined across 10 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 128 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

29–33

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA3.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mazda dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2015 Mazda 3 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2015 Mazda 3, newest first.

Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera

NHTSA 23V487000 Reported Jul 14, 2023

Filed by: Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 6023G)
Units affected: 236,100 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Parking brake

NHTSA 17V393000 Reported Jun 22, 2017

Filed by: Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 1217F)
Units affected: 227,814 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly

NHTSA 16V684000 Reported Sep 22, 2016

Filed by: Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 0116I)
Units affected: 17,484 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly

NHTSA 15V621000 Reported Oct 2, 2015 Do not drive

Filed by: Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 8615J)
Units affected: 14,411 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2015 Mazda 3 fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2015 Mazda 3 EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
3 4-Door	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	29/39/33 mpg	$2,050	270
3 4-Door	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	30/40/33 mpg	$2,050	266
3 4-Door	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	28/38/31 mpg	$2,150	282
3 4-Door	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	29/39/32 mpg	$2,100	276
3 4-Door	2.5L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	25/36/29 mpg	$2,300	308
3 5-Door	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	29/39/32 mpg	$2,100	275
3 5-Door	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	29/39/33 mpg	$2,050	270
3 5-Door	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	27/36/30 mpg	$2,250	293
3 5-Door	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	28/38/32 mpg	$2,100	280
3 5-Door	2.5L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	25/34/29 mpg	$2,300	310

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2015 Mazda 3 crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2015 Mazda 3 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2015 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	10.5%	No
2015 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	10.5%	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2015 Mazda 3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Mazda 3, most recently on Apr 15, 2026. 7 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 8 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2015 Mazda 3 complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Service brakes	26
Unknown or other	26
Electrical system	23
Fuel/propulsion system	12
Back over prevention	9
Engine	6
Structure: Body	6
Exterior lighting	5
Power train	5
Visibility/wiper	5

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Mazda 3 model years

Mazda 3 by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2026 3	26–30 mpg	0	1	5/5
2025 3	26–31 mpg	1	8	5/5
2024 3	26–31 mpg	3	12	5/5
2023 3	26–31 mpg	0	12	5/5
2022 3	26–31 mpg	0	24	5/5
2021 3	26–31 mpg	1	54	5/5
2020 3	27–30 mpg	2	32	5/5
2019 3	27–30 mpg	6	74	—
2018 3	28–32 mpg	4	110	5/5
2017 3	28–32 mpg	2	84	5/5
2016 3	29–33 mpg	6	104	5/5

All Mazda 3 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2015 Mazda models

2015 Mazda 5 2015 Mazda 6 2015 Mazda CX-5 2015 Mazda CX-9 2015 Mazda MX-5

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Mazda.