2018 Mazda Mazda3 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2018 Mazda Mazda3. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 19% of relevant complaints.
Better than 89% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Does the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 20 of 108 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (19%). For comparison, the 2017 scores 14% and the 2019 scores 41%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
The rest of the picture on the 2018 Mazda Mazda3
- Every owner quote, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 20 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows them, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2018 Mazda Mazda3?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
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.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018. Owners may contact Mazda customer…
2 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 17, 2026.
Checking one particular 2018 Mazda Mazda3? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
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Does the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 have engine or transmission problems?
Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 20 of 108 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (19%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2018 Mazda Mazda3?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the 2018 Mazda Mazda3 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 in total: 21V875000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump), 17V745000 (engine and engine cooling: exhaust system). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Mazda Mazda3 years are better?
Among the Mazda Mazda3 years we track, the 2010 (11%), the 2020 (13%) and the 2017 (14%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2018 (19%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.
Should I buy a 2018 Mazda Mazda3?
That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2018 Mazda Mazda3 shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.