Recalls: Mazda BP Mazda3
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mazda BP Mazda3
2019 Mazda BP Mazda3 Hatch: seatbelt status may not be correctly displayed
In June 2019, a recall was issued for 2019 Mazda BP Mazda3 hatchbacks that were available for sale in Australia from 8 April 2019 to 18 May 2019. In these vehicles, the seatbelt indicator and the front passenger airbag deactivation indicator lamps may not work correctly. As such, the seatbelt indicator may turn off when the seatbelts were still unfastened and the front passenger airbag deactivation indicator may turn off when the airbag was still deactivated. While there was no effect on the operation of the airbag system, the status may not be correctly displayed. The driver may therefore be unaware that their own or their passengers’ seatbelts were not fastened. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17564.
2019 Mazda BP Mazda3 Hatch: wheel studs may not have been seated
In July 2019, recall campaign R201906 was issued for Mazda BP Mazda3 hatchbacks that were available for sale from 8 April 2019 to 21 June 2019. During manufacture, the wheel studs may not have been fully seated such that a small gap could exist between the wheel studs and the hub assembly. Continued use of the vehicle could cause the wheels nuts to loosen, and a knocking or clunking noise. The stability of the vehicle could also be affected – this increased the risk of a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of injury for vehicle occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17644.
2019 Mazda BP Mazda3 2.5 SkyActiv-G: intake valve rocker arm damage
In July 2019, a recall was issued for Mazda BP Mazda3 vehicles that had 2.5-litre ‘SkyActiv-G’ petrol engines and were available for sale prior to 11 May 2019. In these vehicles, software for the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) which controlled the cylinder deactivation function may not operate correctly. The intake valve rocker arm could therefore move out of position and make contact with other internal engine parts. If this occurred, the engine may lower power stall, the engine would not restart and the malfunction indicator light would illuminate. To fix, the PCM was to be re-programmed. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17672.
2019 Mazda BP Mazda3 Pure: interior rear-view mirror glass could detach
In August 2019, recall campaign R201909 was issued for Mazda BP Mazda3 Pure vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 10 April 2019 to 2 August 2019. Due to a manufacturing error, the interior rear-view mirror glass could detach from the mirror housing. If this occurred, the driver’s rearward visibility would be reduced – this increased the risk of a collision and the injury to both occupants and other road users. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/17732.
2019 Mazda BP Mazda3: engine may not restart after idle stop
In January 2020, recall campaign R201913 was issued for Mazda BP Mazda3 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 26 March 2019 to 24 December 2019. Due to a software programming fault, the engine may not restart after entering ‘idle stop’ mode until the vehicle is restarted using the ‘Start/Stop’ button. If the vehicle did not restart in idle stop mode, there was an increased risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) was to be reprogrammed. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/18090.
2019 Mazda BP Mazda3: Smart Brake Support detection error
In January 2020, recall campaign R201914 was issued for Mazda BP Mazda3 vehicles that were available for sale in Australia from 26 March 2019 to 24 December 2019. In these vehicles, the Smart Brake Support (SBS) system may falsely detect an object in front of the vehicle and this could initiate the automatic brake function – this would cause the vehicle to unexpectedly slow down and stop, thereby increasing the risk of a collision and injury to vehicle occupants and other road users. To fix, the SBS Control Module was to be reprogrammed. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2019/18091.
Problems and faults: Mazda BP Mazda3
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
2019-24 Mazda BP Mazda3: 12 volt battery drain and “Low Battery Risk” warnings
For 2019-24 Mazda BP Mazda3 vehicles, owners may see a “Low Battery Risk” warning in the instrument cluster, even after long drives. In some cases, the vehicle enters “Deep Sleep Mode” to conserve power, or the battery goes flat overnight, preventing the car from starting.
This problem is caused by:
- parasitic draw from the Body Control Module (BCM); or
- the Electrical Supply Unit (ESU) failing to shut down properly.
Mazda’s technical bulletins also suggest that not engaging the electric parking brake before turning the engine off may also keep certain ECUs “awake”.
To fix, Mazda dealers can perform a software update to the BCM/ESU to correct the shutdown logic. Owners are also advised to lock the vehicle and keep key fobs at least 5 metres away to prevent the car from constantly “polling” for the key. Many owners also upgrade the factory battery to a higher-capacity AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) unit.
2019-22 Mazda BP Mazda3: door mirror folding actuator failure
For 2019-22 Mazda BP Mazda3 vehicles, particularly the GT and Astina variants which had auto-folding door mirrors, one or both door mirrors may fail to fold in or out – this is often preceded by a high-pitched grinding or whirring noise from inside the mirror housing.
This occurs because the internal plastic drive gear within the motor assembly is prone to stripping or cracking. Dust, grit, or high-pressure water from car washes can also enter the housing and accelerate the wear of the delicate motor mechanism.
If the problem arose under warranty, Mazda dealers would typically replace the entire door mirror assembly. For out-of-warranty vehicles, owners could source aftermarket metal replacement gears or motor kits to avoid the high cost of a complete genuine Mazda assembly.
2019-22 Mazda BP Mazda3 G25: cylinder deactivation “ticking” (hydraulic lifters)
For 2019-22 Mazda BP Mazda3 G25 models (i.e. those with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, like the Evolve, SP, GT and Astina), owners may notice a ticking or clattering noise from the engine bay. This noise is most noticeable at idle or low engine speeds; it may also be accompanied by a slight vibration when the engine transitions between 2-cylinder and 4-cylinder modes.
These noises and vibrations occur because:
- the hydraulic lifters on cylinders 1 and 4 have insufficient oil pressure – this is relatively normal on start-up, but should stop once when the engine warms up; or
- the hydraulic lifters fail.
An update for the powertrain control module (PCM) software may mitigate the ticking noise by altering the oil pressure logic. But if the ticking persists, the hydraulic lifters should be replaced – this requires the valve cover (and often the camshafts) to be removed.
Mazda BP Mazda3: buzzing from B-pillar and dashboard rattles
For the Mazda BP Mazda3, though particularly for 2019-23 vehicles, owners have reported persistent buzzing or “clicking” noises from the B-pillar (near the driver’s ear) and the dashboard speaker grille. This noise from the B-pillar is caused by the seatbelt height adjuster assembly having too much play against the internal plastic trim.
Separately, dashboard rattles are usually due to the plastic clips of the centre speaker or head-up display (HUD) shroud rubbing against the dash pad.
The dashboard rattles are typically addressed by applying Tesa (felt) tape or foam padding to the contact points behind the trim panels. Mazda dealers may also have “Squeak and Rattle” kits specifically for the B-pillar assembly.
Mazda BP Mazda3: warped/sticking fuel filler flap
For Mazda BP Mazda3 vehicles, particularly those produced from 2019 to 2023, the plastic fuel filler flap can warp, causing it to sit “proud” of the bodywork or become difficult to open when the release button is pressed.
This occurs because the exterior plastic skin of the flap expands at a different rate than the internal frame when exposed to extreme UV and heat, leading to permanent deformation (bowing) of the component.
To fix, the fuel flap should be replaced with a revised part that has improved thermal stability. In some cases, adjusting the locking pin and hinge can provide a temporary remedy, but replacement is usually necessary for a flush fit.
