Mazda MAZDA3 knocking problems

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 Nov 30, 2024 · Engine · IN

My 2023 Mazda 3 started to have a more terrible and annoying rattle after 3000 miles. The engine will resonate and knock when it reaches a certain speed. The slow speed light throttle acceleration rattles. The most annoying thing is the multiple rattles inside, dash, door panels, and roof. It is like a can in the summer. What’s more terrible is that in the winter, its internal door panels, windows, and dash make a knocking sound like a screw is loose. I went to multiple Mazda dealers and it was obvious that they could not find and fix the issue. They either said they didn’t hear it or said it was a "normal noise". This is disappointing and unacceptable.

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 Mar 22, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · KS

In February, 2022, my 2015 Mazda 3 experienced a major failure, while I was driving on a local road, going 35 miles per hour. All of a sudden, the engine lost power, three warning lights came on, and the car was struggling to go 20 miles per hour. Being near a friend's house, I drove there. From there, her husband followed me home. The next day, my car was towed to the Mazda dealership. The mechanic diagnosed the problem as “found TBS NUMBER: 01-014/16 and inspected coils found they were bad according to lot numbers”. He replaced all four engine coils and all four spark plugs. The service manager told me that the parts were not under warranty. My research revealed that engine coils are supposed to last the lifetime of the car, which is 150,000 to 200,000 miles for a Mazda 3. My car only had 43,048 miles. The spark plugs should have lasted about five more years. I looked into the Bulletin issued by Mazda USA. Mazda USA was first aware of a problem January, 2016. On 17 March 2016, I bought the car. Mazda USA updated the Bulletin to include my car on 29 July 2016. The car was under full warranty at this time and could have been fixed, if I had been notified of the defects. The faulty coils can cause a catastrophic failure, resulting in serious accidents and injuries. My car was a “ticking bomb”, waiting to go off. I was on a local road, with light traffic, not a secondary road or highway, with heavy traffic. Rather than notify customers of the danger of the engine malfunctioning, Mazda USA chose to remain silent. The Bulletin directs that nothing be done until a customer complains. The customer does not know to complain until the car malfunctions! The customer must complain within the normal warranty period. Mazda is hoping that the bad coils fail after the warranty period.

Filed Sep 4, 2017 · Engine · 187,000 miles · AL

No problems from car no warning light. Big bang then engine making very loud knocking noise...on interstate... Still cranks but needs motor...read that lot of people have had same problems

Filed Aug 24, 2017 · Airbags · 85,000 miles · MI · crash

Takata airbag: on 12/25/16 sunday my vehicle sustained major damage in a hit and run, my airbag (driver side) did not deploy. My vehicle was hit so hard I was knock into a 360 spin. (insurance provider: progressive policy #[xxx], detroit police report #[xxx]) I was in motion entering the intersection on a city street, dry road condition. I did not go to the hospital I used work sick day since I was on my way to work (police officer) (email: [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 27, 2017 · Engine · VA

Car engine is making a ticking noise. Upon research, see there was a lawsuit filed against mazada for timing chains. This unbelievable. The repair cost is over 1500.00 for something they have know about for years.

Filed Apr 13, 2015 · Seats · 30,000 miles · MD

The front driver's seat should be fastened to the slide adjuster with four push nuts (two per side), but earlier VIN numbers are missing push nuts either from wear or because mazda did not include them in the original design. Because the push nuts are missing, the seat freely rocks back and forth. The rocking can be so extreme that the entire seat rotates backwards onto the rear bench. This is extremely unsafe for at least two reasons: 1) if the airbag were to deploy in an accident, the force would knock the driver and seat backward rather than absorb the impact of the driver's body; and 2) if the seat suddenly rocked backward while driving, the driver could lose control of the vehicle. Mazda describes the issue in tsb 09-049/10, but purports that the issue merely produces a "rattle noise." but the seat doesn't just rattle, it also hinges all the way into the back seat as described above.

Filed Sep 13, 2013 · Engine · 134,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 mazda mazda3. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 65 MPH, he heard a loud knocking noise as the vehicle spontaneously combusted. The contact mentioned that the flames originated from under the hood area. The police and fire department were summoned to the scene. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and was not diagnosed to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2011 · Suspension · WI

I had gotten a flat tire after hitting a pot hole and knew that I was going to need new tires shortly anyways so I had them put on a used tire to get me through two weeks and while during the two weeks I was gone for a few days and had new breaks put on and asked them to just double check to make sure there was no other damage- there was- a busted strut on my front passenger side (side that I got a flat). I waited until I got home from a vacation (car wasn't driven) and got that fixed but everyone was surprised with the strut being out. All 4 tires were replaced as were both front struts. Car was great for ~2 wks. Then it was loud and terrible vibrations. After arguing and complaining a month later they replaced tires for me because two weren't even keeping tire pressure and then I remembered that a few months prior I was at the mazda dealership (where I really can't stand the jerks!-they're awful!) and they said I had a busted motor mount but refused to show me. I had my main dealer check it out but they found nothing then a family friend, but again nothing. Ff to december and I give in and go back to mazda- motor mount would be in multiple pieces if it wasn't in a capsule like device. In january they got my part in and replaced it- also knocking out a stopper- and vibrations stopped. Mount shouldn't have gone out so fast- at initial dx I think car was at 45k-50k miles (late summer of '10) I think there's a defect with mounts (mine was passenger side over tire area) and also with struts. Everyone has told me- mazda, my dealer (zimbrick-who is absolutely amazing!), and a few other service centers that the struts should've lasted a lot longer.