Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 6% | — |
| 2019 | 8 | 11% | 13,000 miles |
| 2018 | 11 | 10% | 78,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% | 38,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 6% | 44,000 miles |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% | 21,000 miles |
| 2014 | 24 | 17% | 32,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2012 | 22 | 10% | 48,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% | 30,000 miles |
| 2010 | 7 | 1% | 20,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% | 43,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 3% | 24,000 miles |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% | 95,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% | 114,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 6% | 44,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Dealer service tech stated the high pressure and low pressure fuel pumps failed and needed replaced. My car was not included in the recall regarding fuel pumps for Mazda, so the dealer would only cover 50 percent of the cost. Service tech and warranty service rep stated that Mazda was aware that what happened to my car is a factory malfunction but because my car is out of warranty they would not cover the entire expense. My car is 3 years old and only has approximately 67,000 miles on the engine. The fuel injectors were replaced at 10,000 miles by warranty. The service tech even stated this is obviously regarding the recall of the fuel pumps and did not understand why my car was not included.
Check engine light appeared then I had a dead battery. I purchased a new one and the check engine light went away for a while until now. Then I found a letter online that I never received of a recall for california vehicles that were manufactured during specific dates. Mine is listed as one but it does not have an active recall.
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 45 MPH, the vehicle sputtered, hesitated to accelerate, and the check engine warning light illuminated. When the contact firmly depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine made a knocking noise, and the vehicle stalled. Diagnostic testing at AutoZone retrieved DTC related to the knock sensor. The vehicle underwent a tune-up, and the knock sensors and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. While driving, the vehicle hesitated and failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and drove to the residence with the hazard lights activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) was completed. …
The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware of a strong fuel odor around the exterior of the vehicle and inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after refueling. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The dealer had to reschedule the appointment due to a scheduling issue. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a crack in the top of the fuel pump. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced, and the vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. …
Anytime the tank was filled with gas there was a strong smell of gasoline vapors that persisted for several days. The car was a few months past its warranty on emissions issues and so I was charged about $1500 to replace a cracked fuel pump and fuel vent that was stuck open. The mechanic also said that the check engine light should have warned me about the problem but that neither the dashboard light nor his diagnostic equipment was triggered by the defect. He suspects the car's computer is programmed to avoid drawing attention to the problem. Had the light been working I would likely have caught the problem while it was still under warranty.
My 2017 Mazda 3 (85,000 miles) suddenly had the engine light go on and a loss of power. I'm lucky I didn't have an accident. I took it immediately to the shop and they informed me that my low pressure fuel pump is bad. I see they have a recall on Mazda 2018-2020 fuel pumps. However, I also saw a class action lawsuit attempt to include Mazdas from previous years because the fuel pump has the same number as those cars. I had just taken my car in for routine maintenance, spark plug change, and inspection at the dealership two weeks before this incidence happened and they didn't report anything wrong with my car.
Recently noticed the odor of unburned gasoline, both inside and outside the vehicle. When driving, the ventilation system would flush this away in a few moments, but this phenomenon is new within the past few weeks. Our mechanic (not the dealer) traced the issue to the fuel tank, where the port for the fuel pump and sensors is located on top. This area is accessible by removing the rear seat cushion and a cover plate. He showed me how the fuel pump and sensor module has rusted to the thread of the port, preventing removal of the assembly, and that the port flange itself has rusted and has pin-holes, allowing vapor to escape. He was able to put slight positive air pressure to the tank as a test, and was able to cause liquid fuel to escape from the holes. The tank was about 3/4 full at the time. This seems like a serious safety issue. …
During hot summer months when running errands (for example) which would require stopping and re-starting the vehicle several times, the cabin will begin to fill with gas fumes. This will start about 30 minutes into the trip. The fumes become so strong that I become sick and have a headache. You can smell fumes inside and outside of the vehicle. This does not happen during highway travel. Even though this is a recall issue for the 2016 Mazda 3, for some reason it does not apply to my Mazda 3. If I want to have this repaired, I would have to pay out of pocket for something that should be replaced by Mazda.
Related recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured September 24, 2015, to October 16, 2015. During manufacturing, the fuel tanks for the affected vehicles may have deformed, resulting in a fuel leak from the recirculation pipe welded connection.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the recirculation pipe weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2016.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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…
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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Mazda3 years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2014 (24), 2012 (22), 2015 (14), 2018 (11) and 2007 (10) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2014.
Is there a recall for Mazda Mazda3 fuel system problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 21V-875 (fuel pump, Nov 12, 2021); 16V-685 (storage, Sep 23, 2016); 16V-684 (tank assembly, Sep 22, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda Mazda3 fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (7 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly › filler pipe and cap (1).
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.