Most common 2020 Mazda Mazda3 problems
Share of the 32 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda Mazda3 complaints by model year
Best Mazda3 years: 2023, 2020, 2024. Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, 2008. Compare all years →
2020 Mazda Mazda3 recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
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.
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.
Forward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
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.
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.
What 2020 Mazda Mazda3 owners say
Driver assistance
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 warning on the dash and I believe the blind spot indicator was on (i.e. the adjacent vehicle was detected in some capacity). I considered this especially dangerous as in this zone also had very tight lanes so my physical correction could have also caused an accident. There was no malfunction of the physical components. …
The Mazda Radar Cruise Control (MRCC) system performs poorly (it does not hold a set speed well up and down hill; compared to our 2006 Mazda3), but the safety concern is the forceful, sudden, and not-always-predictable braking the vehicle does even if there is not another vehicle in front of us. It brakes, sometimes, for a vehicle in the right lane (we, in the left), and continues to brake unless we override the system. No problem--except if there may be someone following too closely, it could cause a collision. It seems to be related to the MRCC, as no "Brake!" warning accompanies the unwanted brake application. I've contacted Mazda numerous times; they recommended taking it to the dealer. I have--they can find nothing wrong. All of this seems related to a MRCC update (SSP C5) that was done to smooth the MRCC's operation. …
Steering
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 warning on the dash and I believe the blind spot indicator was on (i.e. the adjacent vehicle was detected in some capacity). I considered this especially dangerous as in this zone also had very tight lanes so my physical correction could have also caused an accident. There was no malfunction of the physical components. …
My new 2020 Mazda 3 premium with 1,177 miles suddenly took complete control of steering my car. Driving 65-70 MPH on a 3 lane straight highway on a clear day, with light traffic, I moved one lane to my left, and the car took over the steering, pulling my car out of the left lane nearly missing the center cement divider, then darting back across my lane and halfway into the lane to my right,then dashing back to the cement median. I am unaware of how many times the back and forth occurred, I tried to slow the car down to no avail. The car was moving fast, and the pattern the car moved in was very precise, as if the car knew not to hit the median and go further into the lane to my right. Finally the car stopped steering itself, and I was able to exit the highway. My car was not damaged. I hit my head twice on the drives side door. I did not require medical assistance.
Brakes
The contact owns a 2020 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated, and the brakes locked up and caused the vehicle to stall. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed however, the dealer was not able to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
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.
2020 Mazda Mazda3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 26 / 35 / 30 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 25 / 35 / 29 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 a good car?
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Mazda3 rates better than average: 61% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Mazda3 at the same age. It is one of the best Mazda3 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Mazda Mazda3?
The driver assistance — 17 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic emergency braking. Next are the steering (3) and brakes (3).
How many recalls does the 2020 Mazda Mazda3 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2020 Mazda Mazda3, the most recent from June 12, 2020 (caliper). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda Mazda3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2020 and 2024. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2010, 2012 and 2008. See the full Mazda Mazda3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2020 Mazda Mazda3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 2,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.