Are there open safety recalls?
1 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 49 owner complaints. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2021 Mazda Mazda3
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
1 injury reported
1 of 49 reports (~2%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 20196recalls
- 20202recalls
- 2021 · this car1recall
- 20220recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 25, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 5 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane-departure warning
- Standard
Tested as: 2021 Mazda Mazda3 4 DR AWD · 4 versions tested
Open safety recalls
1 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Tires
22/02/2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.
How they fix it: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4721B.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 25, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 201974reports
- 202032reports
- 2021 · this car49reports
- 202224reports
49 owner reports on file
2 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 1 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 49 total reports.
- ENGINE 16 of 49
Spontaneous loss of power while driving on highway. Check engine light came on. Speed limited by car. Continues to vibrate especially at idle from cold start. Code P0304 intermittently popping up.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5 of 49
The driver window, upon attempted to be let up, will start to go up then go all the way down, ignoring the function to go up. This is a safety concern, as harsh temperatures and foreign objects are able to enter the vehicle cabin at any tim
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 of 49
My 2021 Mazda 3 was bought used in August 2023 and is about a year old in my possession. it has been at the Mazda dealership for repairs multiple times since August 2023. it dangerously stalls and hesitates when trying to accelerate from
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4 of 49
When this feature is left on in my vehicle, it will detect curves, vehicles, and objects that are not there, and as a result, will attempt to turn my steering wheel (safety concern). I have had to keep this feature turned off to prevent it
- SERVICE BRAKES 4 of 49
Brakes are underpowered especially when hot. Drove 20-30 minutes in traffic and when decelerating from 60 mph highway in turn lane to turn into neighborhood the brakes felt very soft . Car only has 28k miles on it and pads have plenty of
- AIR BAGS 4 of 49
Air bag malfunction light comes on a and goes off multiple times while driving
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 25, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Fuel-economy data isn’t available for this year and model.
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 25, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recall was fixed
This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the tires). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2021 Mazda Mazda3 listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2021 Mazda Mazda3? +
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, including the tires. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
How safe is the 2021 Mazda Mazda3? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Mazda Mazda3? +
Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, including 2 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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