Mazda Mazda3 VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Mazda Mazda3 you are looking at. Then check its model year against 31 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixJM13MZ

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Mazda Mazda3

About the Mazda Mazda3

Mazda has sold the Mazda3 in the US since the 2004 model year, and there have been four generations. BK first (2004–2009), then BL (2010–2013). The BM arrived for 2014–2018, and the BP took over for 2019–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 31 vehicle recall campaigns and 3,108 owner complaints. The 2010 has the most complaints of any model year (718). EPA rates the BK at 20–27 mpg combined, while the BP gets 26–31 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2004–2026

GenerationsBK · BL · BM · BP

NHTSA recall campaigns31

Owner complaints3,108 at NHTSA

Mazda Mazda3 photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Mazda Mazda3 generations

Four generations since the 2004 model year. The BL (2010–2013) has the most owner complaints, the BP (2019–2026) the most recall campaigns (11).

4 / 4

2019–20264th generation

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20042010201520202025

2019–2026· Generation 4 of 4

BP · 4th generation

PlatformSmall Product Group

EPA combined mpg26–31

NHTSA recalls11

Engines (EPA)

2.5 L 4-cyl · 2019–2026
2.0 L 4-cyl · 2021–2023
2.5 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2019–2026), manual (2019–2026)

Known issues to check

Forward collision avoidance (52)Engine and cooling (35)Electrical system (34)

Mentions in 215 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · BPJM1BPAMM?K1······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Mazda Mazda3 Mazda3 with Premium package, built in Hofu, Yamaguchi

Check a Mazda3 VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Mazda3 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 31 campaigns on file for Mazda3 model years 2004–2026, and the 2016 and 2019 show up in the most (6 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Mazda Mazda3 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2010 and 2008 hold 1,054 of the 3,108 complaints, or 34%. Tap any bar or generation.

3,108NHTSA complaints, 2004–2026

223mention a crash

33mention a fire

165injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearBP: 215 complaints · most for the 2019 (74)

Top complaint areas · BP

Mentions in 215 complaints, 2019–2026.

Forward collision avoidance52

Engine and cooling35

Electrical system34

Air bags27

Brakes26

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)22

Crashes 13Fires 4Injuries 7

2019–2026 (BP)

NHTSA data summary

The 2019 stands out. On its own it has 74 of the BP’s 215 complaints (34%). By area, nothing stands out. Forward collision avoidance leads with 52, with engine and cooling (35) and the electrical system (34) close behind. Fires come up in 4 BP complaints, or 1.9% against 1.1% for all Mazda3 model years, which is the highest rate of any generation.

What Mazda3 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2019–present (4th generation)

Owner data is thin, with about 70 NHTSA complaints for 2019 and fewer for later years. CarComplaints ranks transmission failure first for 2019, followed by auto headlight faults, and NHTSA owners mention brake and stalling concerns. Recalls cover automatic braking on 2019–2020 models that can falsely detect an obstacle and brake, lug nuts on some 2019 models that may loosen and engine software on 2019 models that may cause a stall. [1] [2]

2014–2018 (3rd generation)

Complaint counts are moderate. CarComplaints ranks brakes locking up first for 2014, followed by premature brake wear and infotainment crashes, and NHTSA owners of the 2014 describe an electric parking brake that fails to hold. Recalls cover parking brake calipers on 2014–2016 models that can corrode and bind, fuel tank valves on some 2014–2016 models that may leak fuel and rear camera images on 2014–2018 models that may not display properly. [3] [4]

2010–2013 (2nd generation)

The 2010 draws by far the most complaints. Most NHTSA owners describe a dashboard that turns sticky or shiny in the heat and leaves a glare on the windshield, while CarComplaints highlights clutch failure on the 2010. Recalls cover liftgate support struts on 2010–2013 hatchbacks that may corrode and let the liftgate drop and manual seat height lifters on 2010–2011 models that may break. [5] [6]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the liftgate strut, parking brake and automatic braking recalls.
On a 2010 to 2013, check the dashboard surface for stickiness or glare.
On the drive, test the parking brake on a slope, feel for a slipping clutch or rough automatic shifts and watch for false automatic braking alerts.

Sources (6) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Mazda3 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Mazda3 version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

3,108complaints, 2004–2026

223mention a crash

33mention a fire

165injuries reported

2complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2010 (718), 2008 (336), 2007 (260)

2010 · 718 complaints

Crashes 18 · fires 5 · injuries 14

Structure174

Unknown or other137

Seats124

Visibility/wiper103

Wheels55

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Mazda3 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 161 Mazda3 versions for model years 2004–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 266 g/mi (2016). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

BK2004–2009

20–27 mpg · CO₂ 329–444 g/mi

BL2010–2013

21–32 mpg · CO₂ 277–429 g/mi

BM2014–2018

28–33 mpg · CO₂ 266–319 g/mi

BP2019–2026

26–31 mpg · CO₂ 287–337 g/mi

Model year2025

31combined MPG

287CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,150EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: 3 4-Door 2WD · Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L — 31 MPG · 287 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Mazda3 vs Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen Jetta

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2010–2013. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the Mazda3, against 19 for the Toyota Corolla and 13 for the Volkswagen Jetta. Pick a range to compare.

Mazda Mazda3BP

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 11
NHTSA owner complaints: 215
EPA combined mpg: 26–31
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0, 2.5 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Forward collision avoidance 52
Engine and cooling 35
Electrical system 34

Toyota Corolla

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 16
NHTSA owner complaints: 990
EPA combined mpg: 22–52
Engines (EPA): 3-cyl 1.6 L · 4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L
Also listed: hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 223
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 147
Air bags 132

Volkswagen Jetta

Model years 2019–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 19
NHTSA owner complaints: 836
EPA combined mpg: 28–35
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.4, 1.5, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2024)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 218
Engine and cooling 200
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 186

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Mazda Mazda3 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Mazda3

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Blue Mazda Mazda3 (fourth generation) hatchback, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Mazda3's VIN sits at the base of the driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker and a trunk lid label near the latch are secondary locations. Sedan and hatchback variants carry the same primary VIN location but differ in secondary label positions, the hatchback has no trunk lid label, substituting a cargo area sticker instead. The BP generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Mazda Mazda3 VIN questions

Which Mazda Mazda3 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2010 leads with 718, ahead of the 2008 (336) and 2007 (260). Those first two alone make up 34% of the 3,108 Mazda3 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Mazda Mazda3 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 31 vehicle campaigns for model years 2004–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, BP leads with 11. Then come the BM (9), BK (8) and BL (3), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Mazda Mazda3 recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 16V-684, 15V-621 and 16V-685. Do-not-drive advisories came with 15V-621. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Mazda3 generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the BK is 2004–2009 and the BL 2010–2013. BM spans 2014–2018, BP 2019–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).

What fuel economy does the Mazda Mazda3 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2026 BP at 26–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 20–27 mpg for the 2004–2009 BK (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Mazda Mazda3 compare with the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta on recalls?

For 2019–2026 models the Mazda3 has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Corolla has 16, the Volkswagen Jetta 19. Complaints run 215, 990 and 836 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Mazda Mazda3 have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2024 Mazda3 5 stars overall. All 4 rated versions get that score.

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About the Mazda Mazda3

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