2013 Mazda MAZDA3: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Electrical, Lights · SC

There seems to be a lot of people who own 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3 Sedans (with SKYACTIV-G 2.0L and Halogen Type Headlights) that are dealing with the same issue I am dealing with myself. I have just purchased a used 2013 Mazda 3 with Skyactive Technology and I noticed that when I was braking the headlights would pulse on and off and would continue while I braked. I have been told there is a TSB on this issue (attached) and Mazda is well aware of this happening. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output controlled by the PCM when the battery is under a heavy load. They are to the point now of charging people for a doing the TSB on the car that is causing the problem of the alternator not producing the proper wattage to support both the headlights and the brake lights at the same time. There are numerous online forum entries that speak of this issue with 2012 and 2013 Mazda 3's. I am very concerned that my headlights may stop working which could result in my death or the death of my occupants of my vehicle not to mention the other motorists on the road around me if my head lights were to eventually fail at night due to lack of proper wattage to the headlights. There are videos on you tube that show these pulsing headlights on Mazda's. I believe that headlights are important enough safety issue that their failing could result in death if the headlights completely failed due to the known fault in these vehicles over time.

Filed Oct 12, 2021 · Lights · CA

When driving at highway speeds and applying brakes, the headlights will pulse bright to dim for the duration of braking. I have seen this problem reported online by several dealers and it has a known software update to fix the problem, but it is not listed under the recalls for this vehicle. A similar problem exists on the 2014 Mazda's and a recall does exist for that vehicle.

Filed Mar 15, 2021 · Lights · NJ

When applying the brakes, the headlights dim and flicker until the brake pedal is released. Nighttime viability is substantially diminished when applying the breaks and flickering seams to send a signal to other vehicles in front of me. This defect occurs 100% of the time when applying the beaks at night when the headlights are on.

Filed Mar 12, 2021 · Lights, Transmission · 173,001 miles · GA

When you press on the brakes all the vehicles lights flashing from bright to deem the headlights, inside panel lights flashing from bright to deem making it difficult to see at night it acts like car is losing power

Filed Feb 9, 2021 · Lights · 72,000 miles · OR

Ongoing problem - reported by others in many forums. Technical service bulletin issued. During breaking headlights pulse brighter and dimmer

Filed Mar 1, 2020 · Lights, Visibility · KS

Lighting:when applying breaks, headlights flicker. Windshield: leaks. Adhesive expanded, causing seal to break. Water pours in on dash from side during bad weather conditions or car wash. Adhesive also expanded on gauge panel, causing display window to lift. Was this way when purchased. Did not notice headlights and window seal at time of purchase.

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Lights · 95,000 miles · IA

Description this vehicle exhibits the headlights flickering when the vehicle is decelerating (by applying the brakes) with the headlights on. This concern is caused by inadequate alternator output (controlled by the PCM) when the battery is under heavy load. To correct the problem, the control logic of the PCM has been changed. Mazda will not update the PCM without charging customers a diagnostic and reprogramming fee in the us.

Filed Dec 14, 2019 · Lights · 30,000 miles · MO

When driving at night, and applying the brakes to slow down, the headlights and taillights flicker/pulse. Over the last 6-12 months this issue has become more pronounced so that it has begun reducing visibility. Plus, nearby cars are distracted, evidently thinking we are in distress. We believe this creates an additional traffic hazard. Note: initially, the problem was only noticeable when slowing from an initial speed of about 25-40mph. Now it seems to have advanced to happen at any speed above about 25mph.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Lights · 78,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 mazda 3. While driving 20-60 MPH, the headlights flickered when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle became difficult to drive. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to a local dealer. The contact called smith haven mazda (827 jericho turnpike, st james, ny 11780, 631) 724-4070) and mazda 112 (2112 ny-112, medford, ny 11763, (631) 256-1074), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided reference number: 1-2451813550 the failure mileage was 78,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Lights · 20,000 miles · IL

Headlights flicker while decelerating. Especially bad when braking. It has been happening for a long time, just decided now to report it. I see a lot of complaints for the same issue online.

Filed Nov 18, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · NH

While coasting, application of the brakes will make the headlights flicker. An ecu voltage monitor registers a drop in the voltage that lasts for as long as the headlights flicker which is approximately 3 seconds. Mazda is aware of this problem and apparently a software update to the ecu will solve it. They offered this for free under the 6yr/60k mile warranty but apparently did not tell their customers.

Filed Feb 24, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 49,000 miles · UT

My headlights dim and flicker, most noticeably when applying the brakes. It was barely noticable at first. My son-in-law, who is an auto and diesel mechanic, brought it to my attention in december 2017 when he was driving it. It is getting worse and becoming more and more of a problem, making it hard to see, especially when approaching a stop at an intersection. I am not sure if the tail lights are also effected, but complaint id 11164134 reported that their's were. My experience with electrical problems causes me to worry that there is a possibility that the headlights will fail entirely, leaving me unable to see while driving at night. This is not a single incident; it always occurs everytime I drive at night, so I am putting today's date in the "when did this happen" field because I can't indicate that it is an ongoing problem. The four complaints about this same problem all indicate no injuries or fatalities; I hope there don't have to be injuries or fatalities for this to be considered serious enough to warrant a recall. Also, the speed doesn't matter, I had to put in a number so I indicated 45 MPH, but it happens on the freeway at 80 MPH as well as on city streets. There are currently 49,259 miles on the car. When I bought it it had 33,370 miles on it. Like I said, it is getting worse. It is more distracting due to more pronounced flickering and dimming of the illumination of the road.