Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% | 59,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 4% | 9,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2013 | 36 | 31% | 46,000 miles |
| 2012 | 31 | 14% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 10 | 8% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 23 | 3% | 68,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 4% | 45,000 miles |
| 2008 | 17 | 6% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 12 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% | 35,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 8 | 6% | 120,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Vehicle touch screen has aggressive and persistent "ghost touch" during vehicle operation (while in drive), which should not be possible while in drive at all. This causes any setting or feature accessible through the vehicle "infotainment" system to be activated at random leading to distracting, undesired operation. There is no setting within the "infotainment" system that allows you to disable the touch screen, leading to dangerously distracting situations. There is a voluntary extended warranty period provided by Mazda, but I was not notified required by law, nor was the warranty service offered to me when bringing my car to dealership(s) during the warranty period. Mazda is not willing to pay to fix the acknowledged safety defect.
Headlights are aimed very low and provide zero light above a low vertical cut off point. Took the car to the dealer and they said they aimed the lights higher, but I do not notice a difference. Looked at changing the aim myself, but there is no obvious adjustment mechanism. This is a serious safety issue because it is frequently impossible to see *anything* more than 8, 20, or 70 feet ahead when the grade of the roadway changes in a positive direction, for instance at the bottom of a hill when the roadway begins to transition from level to a positive grade uphill, or as you are traveling downhill, reach the bottom of a hill and the car is pointed downhill but the road ahead is level. This is also a problem when you are on a hill and the grade of the hill changes. The low beam headlights are fine on perfectly level roads, but are a crash waiting to happen anywhere else.
There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 Mazda 3 with Skyactive Technology and I noticed that when I was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB on this issue (attached) and Mazda is well aware of this happening. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output controlled by the PCM when the battery is under a heavy load. They are to the point now of charging people for a doing the TSB on the car that is causing the problem of the alternator not producing the proper wattage to support both the headlights and the brake lights at the same time. …
When driving at highway speeds and applying brakes, the headlights will pulse bright to dim for the duration of braking. I have seen this problem reported online by several dealers and it has a known software update to fix the problem, but it is not listed under the recalls for this vehicle. A similar problem exists on the 2014 Mazda's and a recall does exist for that vehicle.
When driving at night with exterior lights on, when brake and or gas pedal is pressed the exterior lights strobe/flashes. The Mazda dealership has been contacted about this issue and there is a technician service bulletin stating that the ECM needs to be reflashed/programmed. No recall has been set for this issue and the Mazda dealership stated that I would have to pay $265 out of pocket to have the problem fixed. I believe that because it's a problem with there programming or software that the company should have to issue a safety recall and fix the factory defect. I'm currently in the process of filing a lawsuit against Mazda because of this and I have already filed a complaint with the better business bureau for this issue.
Using my headlamps at night when I break my headlamps begin to flash, as to dim and brighten I took it into the dealership because it was a recall that my Vin number was not part of. They refused to take care of it without a fee. I reported it to Mazda of North America but because the cars older it falls outside of what they would normally do to take care of it. In short, The braking system causes the headlamps to brighten and dim down. I use country Roads, this could become a hazard. Im concerned it could completely go out at some point and leave me in the dark and create an accident
my Mazda 3 2011 passenger headlight always had water coming into the headlight itself. It has condensation and it is hard to see when using the headlight itself at night. have to wait a few days or so to clear up and then my headlights will flicker because of the water seeping inside of it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Mazda 3. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed water in the passenger side head lamp. As a result, the head lamp failed to illuminate. The dealer diagnosed that the head lamp needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V644000 (structure). The part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda Mazda3 years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (36), 2012 (31), 2010 (23), 2008 (17) and 2007 (12) model years. Headlight complaints make up 31% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Mazda Mazda3 headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for any Mazda Mazda3 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Mazda Mazda3 headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (5 mentions), followed by the tail lights (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.