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#BS-2021-MAZMAZ-373A

2021 Mazda Mazda3Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 71 owners and 1 recall for this exact model.

Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026

Complaints
71
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Recalls
1
TSBs
634
🟡

Preliminary Verdict

Think Twice

Based on 71 complaints, 4 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 recalls.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

Top reported problems

1

hit a big bump and the tires blows out

1 complaints • Severity 10/10

$X,XXX

Preview: What's in your full report

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Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the EngineHIGH

19 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 2K miles.

!Inspect the ElectricalMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 6 more items in full checklistUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Engine (19 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Engine19 (27%)
Electrical7 (10%)
Other7 (10%)
Brakes5 (7%)
Airbags4 (6%)
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking4 (6%)
Drivetrain4 (6%)
Collision Avoidance3 (4%)

2021 Mazda Mazda3: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Engine Issues

Engine complaints account for 27% of all reports filed for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, with 19 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 1,700 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 2K-mile mark.

Electrical Issues

Electrical complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, with 7 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Brakes Issues

Brakes complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, with 5 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Airbags Issues

Airbags complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3, with 4 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

Complaint trend by year

9
21
22
22
11
23
11
24
12
25
6
26

Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3. Recent trend: decreasing.

Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own

Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

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Recall History (1 recall)

21V101000Apr 2021

TIRES:VALVE

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2021 Mazda3 and CX-30 vehicles. Air may suddenly leak from the tire air valve.

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

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2021 Mazda Mazda3 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall

★★★★★

5 of 5 stars

Frontal crash

★★★★★

5 of 5 stars

Side crash

★★★★★

5 of 5 stars

Rollover

★★★★★

5 of 5 stars

From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.

The worst model year for the Mazda Mazda3 is the 2010 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is accessories - interior.

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 71 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 1 recall found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.

Other Mazda Mazda3 Model Years

2025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004
View all Mazda Mazda3 years →

2021 Mazda Mazda3: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 2021 Mazda Mazda3?
The most commonly reported issue with the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 is related to the engine, with 19 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 reliable?
The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has 71 complaints, 4 crash reports, and 2 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How safe is the 2021 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA rates the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 stars in frontal crash tests, 5 stars in side crash tests, 5 stars for rollover resistance. Where NHTSA tested more than one version, the lowest rating is shown.
How much does it cost to fix 2021 Mazda Mazda3 problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 have any recalls?
Yes, the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has 1 recall on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Mazda Mazda3 problems start?
Based on 4 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 1,700 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 0–30K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 21, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 19, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 71 owner reports. Know before you buy.

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