NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 49 complaints against the 2021 Mazda Mazda3. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2021 Mazda Mazda3 complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has generated 196 NHTSA complaints and has 1 active recall. If your 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Mazda pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 64 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “Spontaneous loss of power while driving on highway. Check engine light came on. Speed limited by car. Continues to vibrate especially at idle from cold start. Code P0304 intermittently popping up.” (NHTSA Complaint #11656416)
The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has generated 16 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “My 2021 Mazda 3 was bought used in August 2023 and is about a year old in my possession. it has been at the Mazda dealership for repairs multiple times since August 2023. it dangerously stalls and hesitates when trying to accelerate from a stop position. When the brake pedal is released and I start to accelerate like merging onto highways,the car rumbles or shakes slightly and then shuts off. I Came across a review online that had the exact same problem and it stated a PCM update solved the issue. I have been to the dealer frequently since purchased and they kept my car for over a week and claimed they could not reproduce the customers complaint and there is no diagnostic code generated. There is Frequent parking light malfunction alerts, switch operation not accepted alerts, Brake alerts on desolate roadways I believe this vehicle behavior is dangerous on multiple levels, but the dealer Refused to remedy the complaint or give me copies of the papers that I signed, stating they are only for the dealership. I also received a notice in the mail for a class action settlement for faulty fuel pump used in MAZDA vehicles but not the 2021 Mazda 3 although it displays the same Dangerous behavior. So between the faulty fuel pump or required PCM update the vehicle is questionable to drive safely under certain circumstances. The dealer inferred I should have purchased a used certified Mazda from them instead. Thanks” (NHTSA Complaint #11626518)
Airbag defects are safety-critical and may trigger California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22. The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has 16 NHTSA complaints on record related to airbag warning lights, unexpected deployment, and sensor failures. Owner reports include: “Air bag malfunction light comes on a and goes off multiple times while driving” (NHTSA Complaint #11482854)
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 12 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “My rear differential case cracked, anytime the four wheel drive system was engaged the entire drivetrain would lock up. Luckily we were only on side roads so going less than 30 mph if we had been on the highway when this happened we could have been in an accident or lost control. The dealer did confirm the problem and it was fixed under an extended warranty. There was no warning just all of a sudden a loud bang and all the wheels locked up. I have a copy of the video inspection done at the dealer if there’s anyway to send that. I can get a copy of the repair invoice if needed” (NHTSA Complaint #11713224)
Advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) defects — including malfunctioning forward collision warnings, lane keep assist failures, and erratic automatic emergency braking — can create dangerous driving conditions. The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has 12 NHTSA complaints for this defect type. Owner reports include: “At red light, close behind car in front of the mazda. After light turns green, start driving the mazda after car in front moves forward. Although the car in front is moving forward at a higher rate of speed, increasing the distance between it and the mazda, the automatic emergency brake kicks on and stops the vehicle abruptly. Luckily the cars behind the mazda reacted in time and did not rear end it.” (NHTSA Complaint #11613907)
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2021 Mazda Mazda3 by the NHTSA or Mazda. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: TIRES:VALVE
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A sudden air leak from the tire air valve may cause a loss of vehicle control while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four tire air valves with new parts, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda’s number for this recall is 4721B.
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Mazda Mazda3:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Mazda to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Mazda must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2021 Mazda Mazda3 qualifies as a lemon under California law, Mazda may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Mazda a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Mazda dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Mazda pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Mazda a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Mazda is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2021 Mazda Mazda3 has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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