2020 Mazda Mazda3 Safety Report
2020 MAZDA3 Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Mazda Mazda3. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (31) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Forward Collision Avoidance | Compare forward collision avoidance issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Mazda Mazda3 with 12 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 before buying across this generation. |
Mazda Mazda3 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Mazda Mazda3 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Mazda Mazda3 | 49 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Mazda Mazda3 | 72 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Mazda Mazda3 | 23 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Mazda Mazda3 | 106 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Mazda Mazda3 | 12 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Mazda Mazda3 | 82 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Mazda Mazda3 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Mazda Mazda3, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Forward Collision Avoidance
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Mazda onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Mazda onlyTires
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Mazda onlyPower Train
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Mazda onlySuspension
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Mazda onlySteering,Suspension
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Suspension issues Mazda onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3
Reliability Score
The 2020 Mazda Mazda3 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance System The system has been reported to activate unnecessarily, causing abrupt stops. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic issues have been reported, leading to reduced braking performance. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Tires Tires have developed sudden inflation loss and bubbling, posing safety risks. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Powertrain Chirping noises when shifting gears have been reported. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Mazda Mazda3:
The system has been reported to activate unnecessarily, causing abrupt stops.
Hydraulic issues have been reported, leading to reduced braking performance.
Tires have developed sudden inflation loss and bubbling, posing safety risks.
Chirping noises when shifting gears have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 t...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
size 21545ZR18 93Y. replaced these oem tires with these from costco on feb 27 2025. in dec 5 2025 the tire developed a large bubble. miles bought was 27790. current miles 31212. per tire center steal belting was broken no signs of road hazard or other damage. the belt broke and rubber was stressed with " maybe a 1000 miles regaining before catastrophic failure." wear instrument showed they were ...
My Mazda3 began producing a chirp when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (automatic transmission). The dealer stated that the car needed a new torque converter. At the time the car only 37,000 miles on it, quite low mileage for a torque converter to fail. Mazda has previously admitted to producing cars with faulty torque converters, as specified in Mazda TXXXXXX] ). While my car fit the description of...
I pulled into the driveway (at about 5 mph) of my passenger's home, when a very loud, metallic pop occurred somewhere inside my vehicle. I could not discern the problem by visually inspecting the car. Upon returning to my home, I arranged for the dealership to inspect the car's suspension. They found that both rear springs had snapped off from their lower vehicle attachment points. At the time...
TSB 02-003/24 Car front suspension bolts corroded and making metal on metal sounds during turning and braking
See attached document for complaint.
Passenger seat belt won’t retract and remains in a locked state.
Google search shows Mazda has common problem with their front sensing camera, people are reporting the issue for different Mazda models across the board for the last few years including newer models as well. My car display shows few malfunction warning messages. Following captured from MyMazda app. 1. Forward sensing camera malfunction. i-ACTIVESENSE advanced safety and driver support systems m...
While driving on a residential street the automatic emergency braking system activated and brought the car to a very abrupt stop but there was nothing in the front of the car to activate the system. There were no cars in the on-coming lane and no cars in the lane beside my car. When the car stopped the Brake warning appeared in the windshield and a warning tone sounded. It was in the early evening...
My car's automatic emergency brake is deploying without warning, during driving, when there are no other cars in my forward proximity. I took it to the dealership to have it fixed, and on the drive home, it did it again. There is a recall for similar makes and models for this year, but my car has not been included.
in May 2023 the visors of the vehicle hinge melted causing the visors to hang down to eye level and would not hold up causing visibly issues for driver and passenger. dealer said it is a common issue in heat but it blocks forward visibility and won't hold up and if there were and accident, forward movement of passenger or driver can cause the head to hit the visor causing injury.
on 3 occasions may 2023, June 2023 and July 2023 the forward Collison camera activated. in May and June it showed the vehicle to near stop like radar cruise control in rush hour speed traffic. in July 2023 it sounded the alarm and came to a full stop in heavy traffic. it occurs on bright hot days going straight no turns no oncoming traffic no traffic around and no obstacles hold or dips. this c...
I was driving down 2nd Avenue in Manhattan, traffic was crowded but flowing with an estimated speed of 20mph between lights. I believe the distance between my front bumper and the car ahead was only slightly under 2 car lengths in motion. Coming to a stop light, the car in front of me slowed and I followed, applying pressure to the brake gradually. Roughly 2-3 seconds into my braking, the forward ...
Lane departure warning activated and attempted to correct during a gentle curve. The location had shifted lanes due to construction, so clear lines were visible but not the actual lane to follow which is a frequent occurrence in New York City. The system came close to steering me into the adjacent lane occupied by another vehicle forcing me to fight the correction. There was a lane departure warni...
Automatic safety notification censoring system for the brakes engaged when a stop was not applicable or necessary causing the car to brake on its own in traffic. Luckily no one else was on the road.
•The first incident I had with the SBS was about a month on the highway, I was approaching a vehicle that was braking due to upcoming traffic. I had plenty of time to stop, upwards of 8-10 car lengths. Yet my SBS kicked in and slammed the brakes, jarring me forward. Luckily no one was directly behind me at that time because I have no doubt it would have caused an accident. At that time, it was the...
Fuel pump, car dying out, can't turn off brake release from when it dies. Shaking when accelerating. Fuel gas issue.
I was traveling 25mph with no obstruction in front of me, when the collision warning sounded. The braking system did not activate. No collision was imminent.
I was traveling approximately 5 mph with approximately 15 feet from the car in front of me, maintaining a constant following distance. The collision warning sounded, followed by emergency braking within 1 second. No collision was imminent.
Was letting car slow down for red light. No cars in front of me. Suddenly the car braked and the brake warning came on. I was pretty far back from the light. I took the car to the dealer and he said the occurrence did not show on the computer. There was a recall for this problem but not for my car. If someone had been behind me or if this happens on a busy street, I would be rear ended. There have...
EL VEHICULO TIENE PROBLEMAS DE ENCENDIDO, DESPUES DE ESTAR EN REPOSO DOS DIAS NO ENCIENDE SE TIENE QUE PASAR CORRIENTE, INCLUSIVE EN MANEJOS CORTOS AL VOLVER A ENCENDER EL VEHICULO PRESENTA EL MISMO PROBLEMA, ESTE ES UN PROBLEMA EN LA MAYORIA DE ESTE TIPO DE VEHICULOS, MISMOS QUE SON ENCONTRADOS MUCHOS COMENTARIOS EN INTERNET, EL VEHICULO ESTA EN LA CDMX MEXICO.
Showing 20 of 31 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Mazda Mazda3
Has the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
The 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 31 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 involve forward collision avoidance (12 complaints), service brakes,forward collision avoidance (2 complaints), tires (1 complaints). Other affected components include power train, suspension, steering,suspension.
How many crash reports does the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3.
Should I buy a 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 is generally recommended. It has 31 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 are: 1. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (12 complaints), 2. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints), 3. TIRES (1 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (1 complaints), 5. SUSPENSION (1 complaints). FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE is the single most-reported problem area with 12 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Be cautious of the forward collision avoidance system and service brakes, as they have reported issues. Regular tire checks are essential to avoid sudden inflation loss and bubbling. The 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 has 31 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
The 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 31 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Forward Collision Avoidance System and Service Brakes.
What are the known issues with the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3?
Known issues with the 2020 MAZDA MAZDA3 include: Forward Collision Avoidance System, Service Brakes, Tires, Powertrain. These are based on patterns found across 31 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the forward collision avoidance system?
The system has been reported to activate unnecessarily, causing abrupt stops.
Are there any issues with the service brakes?
Hydraulic issues have been reported, leading to reduced braking performance.
What tire issues have been reported?
Tires have developed sudden inflation loss and bubbling, posing safety risks.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the forward collision avoidance system and service brakes, as they have reported issues. Regular tire checks are essential to avoid sudden inflation loss and bubbling.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Mazda Mazda3
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3. The data includes 31 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16