Model year 2020 · Compact Cars, Midsize Cars

2020 Mazda 3: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2020 Mazda 3 at 27–30 mpg combined across 6 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

27–30

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.

2020 Mazda 3 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2020 Mazda 3, newest first.

Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Disc: Caliper

NHTSA 20V346000 Reported Jun 12, 2020

Filed by: Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 4420F)
Units affected: 24,037 (estimate)
Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.
Risk: Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking

NHTSA 19V907000 Reported Dec 19, 2019

Filed by: Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 4219L)
Units affected: 35,390 (estimate)
Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
Risk: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

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

2020 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.

2020 Mazda 3 EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
3 4-Door 2WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	26/35/30 mpg	$2,250	299
3 4-Door 2WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	27/36/30 mpg	$2,250	295
3 4-Door 4WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	25/33/28 mpg	$2,400	313
3 5-Door 2WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	25/35/29 mpg	$2,300	303
3 5-Door 2WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	26/35/30 mpg	$2,250	297
3 5-Door 4WD	2.5L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	4-Wheel Drive	Regular	24/32/27 mpg	$2,500	328

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.

2020 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.

2020 Mazda 3 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2020 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	10.1%	Standard
2020 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	10.1%	Standard
2020 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	10.1%	Standard
2020 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	10.1%	Standard

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.

2020 Mazda 3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Mazda 3, most recently on Jul 2, 2026. 0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2020 Mazda 3 complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking	13
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings	9
Electrical system	3
Steering	3
Unknown or other	3
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control	2
Fuel/propulsion system	2
Lane departure: Warning	2
Service brakes	2
Suspension	2

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
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
2015 3	29–33 mpg	4	128	5/5

All Mazda 3 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2020 Mazda models

2020 Mazda 2 2020 Mazda 6 2020 Mazda CX-3 2020 Mazda CX-30 2020 Mazda CX-5 2020 Mazda CX-9 2020 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.