Pre-purchase inspection
NHTSA has issued 19 recall campaigns affecting 2016–2024 Mazda Mazda3 vehicles, concentrated in fuel system and visibility. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, so any individual car may be affected by all, some, or none of them — which is exactly what an on-site inspection establishes before you pay.
1 of these campaigns carry NHTSA’s “park it” warning — meaning affected vehicles should not be driven until the remedy is performed. Confirm the VIN against NHTSA’s recall lookup before test-driving.
Recall campaigns by affected system, 2016–2024.
Newest first, from NHTSA campaign records. Check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda3 and CX30 vehicles. The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.
Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy in the event of a crash increase the risk of injury.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended.
Consequence: Automatic braking, steering assist, and headlight control systems that do not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 and MAZDA3 vehicles. Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image.
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
Consequence: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles equipped with manual dimming mirrors. The adhesive between the interior rearview mirror and the housing may not be properly bonded, allowing the mirror to detach from the housing. Note: Vehicles equipped with auto dimming mirrors are not affected by this recall.
Consequence: Rearward visibility will be reduced without the rearview mirror, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The seat cover material on both front seats may interfere with the head restraint lock release button, causing it to stick in the release position and not allow the head restraint to lock into place.
Consequence: Loose head restraints may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
Consequence: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. The lug nuts on all four wheels may loosen, potentially resulting in a wheel detaching from the vehicle.
Consequence: A wheel separating from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns affecting 2016–2024 Mazda Mazda3 vehicles. A recall applies to specific VIN ranges, so a particular car may be affected by all, some, or none of them — and an open recall does not mean the car is unsafe, only that a free remedy is available from a franchised dealer.
Beyond the standard pre-purchase checks, the recall history for this model concentrates in: fuel system, visibility, back over prevention, parking brake, engine and engine cooling, forward collision avoidance. An inspector confirms current condition and whether recall remedies were performed.
Bronze $249, Silver $349, Gold $449. Your card is authorized at booking and charged only when an independent inspector accepts the job. If no inspector accepts within 72 hours you get a full automatic refund.
Recall data from NHTSA, retrieved 2026-07-27. Vehicle Inspectors is not affiliated with Mazda. A recall is not a defect finding on any individual vehicle.
A vetted independent inspector goes to the seller’s location and documents the actual condition. Bronze $249 · Silver $349 · Gold $449.
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