2018 Mazda MAZDA3: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving uphill at 45 MPH, the vehicle sputtered, hesitated to accelerate, and the check engine warning light illuminated. When the contact firmly depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine made a knocking noise, and the vehicle stalled. Diagnostic testing at AutoZone retrieved DTC related to the knock sensor. The vehicle underwent a tune-up, and the knock sensors and ignition coils were replaced; however, the failure persisted. While driving, the vehicle hesitated and failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact pulled over, restarted the vehicle, and drove to the residence with the hazard lights activated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V487000 (Back Over Prevention) was completed. The contact associated the engine hesitation and stalling failures with the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 17V745000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the dealer informed the contact that the VIN was excluded from both recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The high-pressure fuel pump failed. This component failure prevents the car from starting or staying running. The check engine code confirmed the high-pressure fuel pump failure. The failed component is currently at the Mazda dealership and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk The car suddenly stalled while driving on the roadway, creating a dangerous situation. If this had happened on the freeway or in fast-moving traffic, it could have led to a serious accident. Losing power and control of the vehicle at higher speeds poses a major safety risk to both the driver and surrounding vehicles. I was fortunate that the failure occurred on a city street rather than on the freeway. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The Mazda dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed, which was also verified by the check engine code. This failure caused the stalling and starting issues. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Mazda dealership, which diagnosed and confirmed the high-pressure fuel pump failure. It has not been inspected by police or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Before the final failure, the car was hesitant to start, and after it stalled, the check engine light appeared. There were no prior warning messages or signs before the car suddenly stalled while driving. Additional details: The car is only seven years old with approximately 52,000 miles, and it is concerning that such a critical component would fail this early.

Filed Jul 30, 2024 · Fuel system · 51,000 miles · FL

The contact’s sister owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that while attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired, and the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Engine · 105,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving at 65 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his girlfriend was able to safely drive the vehicle to her destination. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with rod knocks. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Engine · DE

I have a 2018 Mazda 3. On two occasions in the span of one month, my car has acted like it was going to stall out when I was stopping at a red light. It doesn’t stall out, but the car will idle like it’s about to stall. When starting the vehicle it is kind of sluggish at times. Battery has been tested and it is fine. I’ve had the car for five years and it has 60,000 miles on it. No issues until recently.

Filed Jun 27, 2023 · Fuel system · OH

I have a 2018 Mazda 3 hatchback 2.5l with a faulty fuel pump. I bought the car 1 year old with 2k mikes on it in 2019 from Jake Sweeney Mazda in Cincinnati ohio. They tell me the issue with power loss and stalling I need a new fuel pump it's failing cost is $1600 to repair. Then I learn a few days later on my own 121,000 2018-2109 Mazda 3 and others were recalled due to a faulty fuel pump with the exact problem I have manufactured by Denso. But I'm told my vin # isn't on the recall. The Denso fuel pump is the brand. However no one at the dealership in Cincinnati or Columbus ohio will tell me what type of fuel pump I have. When I went to the Columbus dealership I believe called Byer Mazda they told me an upgrade was done (which never happened) to my fuel pump. Unless Mazda stole my car and returned it no work was ever done on my fuel pump. Only oil changes. Could an upgrade NOT performed and my Vin was marked as upgraded but wasn't? Why do I have a faulty fuel pump withBthe EXACT symptoms on the EXACT model or EXACT year of my Mazda.. NO ONE at Mazda will tell me what brand fuel pump was manufactured in my car. Neither the dealerships or the 800# I call can saY what fuel pump was manufactured in my car. But they can say what was recalled based on vin#. The car just turned 5 years old and shouldn't need a new fuel pump. Isn't this all a little suspicious especially since they cannot conveniently for them say what manufacturer fuel pump is in my car. The car has lost all power and stalls. What happens when I pay the $1600 and the fuel pump is the Denso that is faulty. What then? No one will help. All of this is fishy as can be especially cause I own the EXACT YEAR BRAND AND MODEL WITH THE EXACT PROBLEM THE OTHERS WERE RECALLED FOR. Please say to yourself this is a little fishy and ask questions instead of going by a computer. As a human being look at this as highly coincidental and needs looking into instead of dismissing me.

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 32,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2018 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unaware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's husband added fuel to the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted 15 minutes later. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that the failure could not be duplicated because there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired, and the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred upon shifting from reverse(R) to drive (D). The power train warning light and several unknown waring lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 34 miles · WA

Purchased a brand new 2018 mazda 3 2.5l touring hatchback. I had only driven the vehicle as its new owner once, from the dealership back to my home, which was less than 20 miles, when the following occurred: I started the engine for my second trip with the vehicle, and noticed the check engine light was illuminated and remained illuminated. I drove the vehicle around the block and did not experience any unusual driving performance characteristics so I drove to my intended destination which was only 7 miles away. When I started the engine to make my way back I noticed that now five warning lights were illuminated and remained illuminated, which corresponded to the following warning guidances: an engine system malfunction, a dsc malfunction, a TPMS system malfunction, along with two scbs malfunction warnings. When attempting to drive the vehicle, I found that the engine was clearly not running properly, as it jerked violently, surged, hesitated and at times seemed poised to stall. The vehicle was clearly unsafe for me to proceed on the road. As it was sunday, I had to arrange on the next day for a tow truck to transport the vehicle to the nearest mazda service center, which was not the mazda dealership I had purchased the vehicle from. It took over a week for mazda service center to determine I had a faulty throttle body, which had caused these problems and this was what needed replacement. Importantly, the service technician indicated that the warning lights indicating problems with this new mazda were known previously by the original mazda dealer before the sale transaction was completed: prior to the vehicle's arrival for service at mazda service center, the warning lights and malfunction codes were previously cleared by the mazda dealer, rather than addressing the issue or resolving it. This is fraud and corporate malfeasance on the part of the mazda dealership.