A super reliable compact car, the Mazda 3 is one of the most popular consumer-brand cars in the country, and for good reason. The Mazda 3 provides a nice sporty ride for a budget price.
Mazdas are known for their reliability and low costs to own. A Mazda can last up to 20 years if you keep a regular maintenance schedule.
On average, you can expect to pay about $450 per year in maintenance costs for the Mazda 3. Average maintenance costs are lower than the average of $700 for all cars in the US and are lower than the average price for other cars in the same class.
The most common issues with the Mazda are brake pads, the transmission, and the car’s computer systems (for newer models).
There are a lot of factors that determine maintenance costs for the Mazda 3. So we put together this article describing Mazda 3 maintenance costs and comparing them to maintenance costs for other cars. We will also cover common repair costs for the Mazda 3.
What is the Mazda 3?
Created by Japanese manufacturer Mazda, the Mazda 3 is the company’s premium high-performance compact car. First introduced in 2003, the Mazda 3 has long been praised for its handling, fuel economy, and speed.
The Mazda 3 comes in a classic 4-door coupe style and also has a 5-door hatchback model.
All Mazda models use MacPherson struts and a proprietary roll bar. All models use the Mazda MZR engine, a 4-cylinder inline engine with either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic transmission.
The most recent model of the Mazda 3 was released in 2019, which came with an all-wheel-drive version with a 2.5L turbocharged gas engine.
How Much Does Maintenance for the Mazda 3 Cost?
Overall, you can expect to pay about $450 per year in maintenance costs for the Mazda 3. That comes out to a little over $5,000 for the first 10 years of ownership.
The average cost to maintain a car in the US is approximately $700 a year, so the Mazda 3 is generally cheaper to maintain on average than most cars.
The Mazda requires regular maintenance every 5,000 and 20,000 miles. Every 5,000 miles you need to change the oil and filter. Every 20,000 miles, you need to check the fuel lines, brake components, and suspension.
It is not part of the maintenance schedule, but every 40,000 miles you should consider switching out your spark plugs.
The Mazda has a pretty typical maintenance schedule. You can also take it in every 10,000 miles to check the wiper blades and engine cabin air filters.
Mazda 3 Maintenance Costs Compared to Other Cars
Here is a table showing the average Mazda 3 maintenance costs compared to similar brands of cars.
| Make/Model | Avg. Annual Maintenance Costs |
|---|---|
| Mazda 3 | $450 |
| Honda Civic | $360 |
| Hyundai Elantra | $450 |
| Toyota Corolla | $360 |
| Toyota Camry | $400 |
| Volkswagen Jetta | $600 |
| Subaru Impreza | $650 |
| Kia Optima | $500 |
| Volvo V40 | $600 |
| Lexus CT | $700 |
| Ford Focus | $570 |
Compared to other cars in the same class, the Mazda 3 is on the lower end of the spectrum. Other economy-brand cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry have cheaper costs but are not rated as reliable as the Mazda is.
According to CarEdge, there is a 15% chance you will need to perform some major repair within the first 10 years of owning a Mazda 3. That is a very good reliability rating, which explains why maintenance costs for the Mazda 3 are fairly low.
Factors that Affect Mazda 3 Maintenance Costs
Model
The Mazda 3 comes in two models, a compact and hatchback model. All other things being equal, the hatchback incurs slightly more maintenance costs.
One of the main cost differences between the two is the maintenance of the hatchback trunk.
Engine type
The newest Mazda 3 model features either a base 2.0L gas engine or the high-performance 2.5L turbo 4-cylinder engine. As you might expect, the larger turbo engine will be more expensive to maintain.
Age of your car
Like all cars, the age of your Mazda will also affect maintenance costs. Typically, maintenance costs are lower during the first five years of ownership.
There is a 15% chance you will have to make a major repair within the first ten years of ownership.
Warranty
Mazda offers an extended powertrain warranty that covers routine maintenance costs for up to 60 months. This warranty costs a lot but it can help you save on maintenance costs.
Mazda 3 Common Repairs and Costs
The Mazda 3 is overall a very reliable car, but it does come with some common problems. Here are some of the most common issues the Mazda 3 runs into.
Brake Pads
Mazda models are known to have brake problems. Specifically, the brake pads are known to scratch the backplate, affecting its alignment and brake performance over time. Premature brake-wearing is a relatively common issue, so make sure to keep an eye on your brakes when getting regular maintenance.
On average, replacing a brake pad on the Mazda 3 will cost about $200 per pad. Generally speaking, you need to replace both pads on one end of the car at once. So replacing your two front pads or two back pads will cost about $400.
Transmission Bearings
Mazdas also suffer from transmission problems, specifically when switching from third to fourth gears. Mazda bearings can wear out prematurely, affecting your ability to change gears while driving.
In the worst-case scenario, you may have to replace your entire transmission block.
Mazda 3 bearings cost anywhere between $200 to $250 to replace. You can tell if you have worn bearings if you hear a grinding or grating noise when you engage the clutch and change gears.
Replacing the transmission block is expensive and may cost anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500 or higher, depending on the extent of the damage.
Sway Bars
The Mazda 3 also suffers from suspension issues. Specifically, sway bars are prone to bending and buckling over time. Common signs of bent or broken sway bars include excessive vibrations when driving and rough handling. Damaged sway bars can make it harder to drive your car
Sway bars cost about $100 each to replace on average. The Mazda 3 has a rear and front sway bar, and you will want to replace both of them at the same time. So it will cost about $200 in total.
Thermostat
Many Mazda owners have reported faulty thermostat issues. A faulty thermostat can make it difficult to regulate your engine’s temperature. You will most likely have to replace the thermostat within the first 5 years of ownership.
Thermostats are relatively cheap to replace. A replacement thermostat will cost about $130 to $160, depending on your model.
Touchscreen
Newer Mazda models with infotainment systems also suffer from touchscreen problems. The most common issue is the touchscreen randomly changing settings on its own.
Other issues include random phone calls and an inability to change settings. In most cases, replacing the CPU and screen can solve these issues.
The infotainment unit costs about $1,000 on average to replace. In some cases, you may be able to repair the screen without having to replace the entire unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does maintenance for the Mazda 3 cost?
Annual maintenance for a Mazda 3 will cost about $450, with an average 10-year maintenance cost of a little over $5,000. Maintenance costs for the Mazda 3 are lower than the average annual maintenance costs for all cars.
How expensive is Mazda maintenance compared to similar cars?
The Mazda is slightly lower to maintain than many other cars in its class. The ones that beat it out include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Toyota Camry.
How often does the Mazda 3 need maintenance?
The Mazda requires regular maintenance every 10,000 miles. Basic maintenance involves inspecting brakes, clutch, and tires, and replacing oil and oil filters.
Every 20,000 miles, you will need to inspect the fuel lines, brake lines, suspension, and driveshaft components.
Is the Mazda 3 reliable?
Yes. The Mazda 3 is a very reliable car and has significantly lower ownership costs than many other cars in the same class. According to CarEdge, there is only a 15% chance that you will have to make a major repair within the first 10 years of ownership. That is much lower than several other popular car models.
How long can a Mazda 3 last?
The Mazda 3 is a reliable car that can last for up to 250,000 miles if you get regular maintenance and take good care of it. That comes out to over 15 years. Models from 2003 are still on the road in good condition.
Does Mazda offer a maintenance warranty?
Yes, Mazda offers an extended powertrain warranty that covers prescribed maintenance for the powertrain for up to 5 years.
This maintenance only covers ordinary maintenance and will not cover repair costs due to user negligence. You can get a warranty from a dealership or from a third-party organization.
Final Words
The Mazda 3 is a very popular car and for good reason. The Mazda is a reliable car that has relatively low maintenance costs. So, if you are looking for a strong compact economy-class car, then the Mazda is a good choice.
Even with its common repair problems, you are unlikely to run into a major maintenance issue in the first 5 years of ownership. As always, make sure you get quotes for several mechanics so you can get the best price possible.