RecallRadar

Home → Mazda → Mazda3 → 2020

2020 Mazda Mazda3 Recalls & Complaints

2

open safety recalls on record

Serious

51 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.00 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Serious19V907000

Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking

Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly raises the risk of a crash.

Remedy & full details

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4219L.

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.

Serious20V346000

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper

Loose brake calipers can reduce braking performance or interfere with wheel rotation, affecting vehicle handling.

Remedy & full details

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front brake caliper bolts, tightening them as necessary. If bolts are missing, the affected brake caliper will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4420F.

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2020 CX-30 and Mazda3 vehicles. The front brake caliper mounting bolts may not have been tightened properly during assembly, possibly allowing the calipers to loosen.

Complaint volume

51 this model-year 6 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

0Crashes
0Fires
0Injuries
0Deaths

Across 51 complaints. Severity Index 0.00.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Forward Collision Avoidan…13 · 25%Forward Collision Avoidan…9 · 18%Steering3 · 6%Unknown Or Other3 · 6%Electrical System3 · 6%Service Brakes2 · 4%Forward Collision Avoidan…2 · 4%Fuel/Propulsion System2 · 4%
  1. Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking — 13 reports
  2. Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings — 9 reports
  3. Steering — 3 reports
  4. Unknown Or Other — 3 reports
  5. Electrical System — 3 reports
  6. Service Brakes — 2 reports
  7. Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control — 2 reports
  8. Fuel/Propulsion System — 2 reports
  9. Lane Departure: Warning — 2 reports
  10. Suspension — 2 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2004 (3) · 2005 (3) · 2006 (2) · 2007 (3) · 2008 (3) · 2009 (4) · 2010 (3) · 2011 (2) · 2012 (1) · 2013 (1) · 2014 (4) · 2015 (4) · 2016 (6) · 2017 (2) · 2018 (4) · 2019 (6) · 2020 · 2021 (1) · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 (3) · 2025 (1)

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.

From the same data desk

Independent sites, same maintainer, same open-data standards.

TireFit
Is that tyre actually right for your car?
2,808 fitment guides
FuelFacts
What that trip really costs in fuel
Live consumption data
CostCompare
What things cost, city by city
2,123 comparisons