Compact cars · BP generation
Smart buy Above average
It scores 77 out of 100 for reliability compared with other compact cars. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $12,672 to own, including $1,032 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Mazda Mazda3.
Reliability
77/100
Above average
Repairs, 5 years
$1,032
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$6,581
31 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$18,465
$16,249 – $20,681, estimate
Recalls
3
on record
Owner complaints
12
filed with NHTSA
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda3 and CX30 vehicles. The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not automatically adjust from high beams to low beams as intended.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 and MAZDA3 vehicles. Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.
Of the years we rate, the 2020 scores best (91/100) and the 2021 worst (47/100).
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Not rated yet |
| 2025 | Not rated yet |
| 2024 | 77/100 |
| 2023 | 73/100 |
| 2022 | 83/100 |
| 2021 | 47/100 |
| 2020 | 91/100 |
| 2019 | 52/100 |
| 2018 | 65/100 |
| 2017 | 88/100 |
| 2016 | 78/100 |
| 2015 | 86/100 |
No. It scores 77 out of 100, one of the more reliable compact cars of 2015–2024.
It scores 77 out of 100 against other compact cars from 2015 to 2024, which is above average. Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $1,032 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $12,672 over 5 years: $5,059 in lost value, $1,032 in repairs and $6,581 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $18,465 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2020 scores best (91/100) and the 2021 worst (47/100).
3 recalls on record with NHTSA.