2018 Mazda MAZDA3 driver assistance & safety tech problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

20 owners have reported driver assistance & safety tech problems with the 2018 Mazda MAZDA3, 22% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 39,000 mi.

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints
20
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
39,000 mi

Specific components reported

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech covers: Automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, backup camera, stability and traction control.

ComponentComplaints
Back over prevention12
Forward collision avoidance: warnings3
Lane departure: warning2
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera2
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Lane departure1
Lane departure: blind spot detection1
Back over prevention: rearview system braking1

Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints across Mazda MAZDA3 years

12008320102201112012132014142015122016132017202018920191720208202122022220234202422025
Driver Assistance & Safety Tech complaints by model year. The 2018 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k110k–30k530k–60k360k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 23V487000Jul 14, 2023236,100 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    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.

    Risk: A rearview camera that does not display properly can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed September 13, 2023. Final owner letters for affected models and model years in the states of CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA were mailed August 14, 2024. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated on or before May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 6023G.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jun 13, 2025VADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    I got into my car and the infotainment screen was cracked. It had been parked in moderate weather (no extreme heat or cold) and just randomly had multiple small cracks across the screen. This makes the back up camera difficult to see which is a safety concern.
    NHTSA complaint #11666801 · source
  2. Filed Mar 12, 2025NJDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The Infotainment system is cracking uncontrollably and will make the rear view camera unusable and a safety issue. Mazda corporation wont pay for the repair that they are charging close to 2k to do.
    NHTSA complaint #11647964 · source
  3. Filed Oct 31, 202425,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was flickering and occasionally failed to display an image. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer recommended that the rearview camera be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer…
    NHTSA complaint #11622997 · source
  4. Filed Sep 11, 202460,000 miMNDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while reversing, the camera was flickering on and off and the camera was fuzzy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…
    NHTSA complaint #11613968 · source
  5. Filed Aug 13, 2024130,000 miCODriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that on several occasions while in reverse (R), the backup camera flickered and was inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11608178 · source
  6. Filed Aug 8, 202438,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while shifted into reverse(R) and reversing out of the driveway, the rearview camera image was flickering on the display screen. The contact stated that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11607311 · source
  7. Filed Aug 2, 2024WADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while reversing, the rearview camera image was distorted and failed to display on several occasions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rearview camera had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the…
    NHTSA complaint #11606169 · source
  8. Filed Jul 19, 2024CADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet…
    NHTSA complaint #11603487 · source
  9. Filed Jul 18, 2024HICrashDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    In 2023, the reverse camera would either flicker or completely shut off (displaying a blank screen) while the reverse gear is engaged. While reversing the vehicle to park onto the property the rear camera image failed to display in the vehicle, leading to a collision with the curb. The limited visibility out of the rear windshield for the Mazda 3 leads to a typical driver relying on the camera display to show obstructions not visible through the rear and side mirrors. This…
    NHTSA complaint #11603286 · source
  10. Filed Jul 17, 202432,000 miSCDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had experienced the failure…
    NHTSA complaint #11602888 · source
  11. Filed Jun 8, 2024VADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System
    The collision warning light and lane assistance light come on frequently. It used to just be when the weather was under 40 degrees and the car was cold. However, it now happens all the time. It seems to go on and off for no reason. Additionally, the infotainment system keeps switching radio stations or ghosting without anyone touching it. It also drops Bluetooth connectivity constantly.
    NHTSA complaint #11593200 · source
  12. Filed Apr 24, 202480,000 miCADriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the back over prevention camera was flickering and distorted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on…
    NHTSA complaint #11584924 · source

Other 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 problem areas

  • Electrical System (29)
  • Other / Unknown (24)
  • Engine (11)
  • Visibility & Wipers (11)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (8)
  • Brakes (5)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (4)
  • Wheels & Tires (1)
  • Body & Structure (1)

Back to all 2018 Mazda MAZDA3 problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology