Model year 2021 · Compact Cars, Midsize Cars

2021 Mazda 3: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Mazda 3 at 26–31 mpg combined across 10 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 54 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

26–31

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 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.

2021 Mazda 3 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Mazda 3, newest first.

Tires: Valve

NHTSA 21V101000 Reported Feb 22, 2021
Filed by
Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 4721B)
Units affected
599 (estimate)
Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
Risk
A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

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

2021 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.

2021 Mazda 3 EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
3 4-Door 2WD2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular28/36/31 mpg$2,150287
3 4-Door 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular26/35/30 mpg$2,250299
3 4-Door 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular26/35/30 mpg$2,250303
3 4-Door 4WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speed4-Wheel DriveRegular25/33/28 mpg$2,400320
3 4-Door 4WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speed4-Wheel DriveRegular25/33/28 mpg$2,400313
3 4-Door 4WD2.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-speed4-Wheel DriveRegular23/32/27 mpg$2,500334
3 5-Door 2WD2.5L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel DriveRegular24/33/27 mpg$2,500323
3 5-Door 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speedFront-Wheel DriveRegular26/34/29 mpg$2,300304
3 5-Door 4WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-speed4-Wheel DriveRegular25/31/27 mpg$2,500326
3 5-Door 4WD2.5L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-speed4-Wheel DriveRegular23/31/26 mpg$2,600337

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.

2021 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.

2021 Mazda 3 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2021 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars10.1%Standard
2021 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR FWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars10.1%Standard
2021 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB AWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars10.1%Standard
2021 Mazda Mazda3 5 HB FWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars10.1%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.

2021 Mazda 3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Mazda 3, most recently on Oct 13, 2026. 2 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Mazda 3 complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Engine19
Electrical system7
Unknown or other7
Service brakes5
Air bags4
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking4
Power train4
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings2
Fuel/propulsion system2
Lane departure: Assist2

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
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 326–30 mpg015/5
2025 326–31 mpg185/5
2024 326–31 mpg3125/5
2023 326–31 mpg0125/5
2022 326–31 mpg0245/5
2020 327–30 mpg2325/5
2019 327–30 mpg674—
2018 328–32 mpg41105/5
2017 328–32 mpg2845/5
2016 329–33 mpg61045/5
2015 329–33 mpg41285/5

All Mazda 3 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Mazda models

2021 Mazda 22021 Mazda 62021 Mazda CX-32021 Mazda CX-302021 Mazda CX-52021 Mazda CX-92021 Mazda MX-5

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 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.