2015 Mazda 3 Sport

The 2015 Mazda 3 Sport is a compact car known for its sporty handling, fuel efficiency, and attractive design. It was offered with two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 184 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. Both engines could be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Owners generally appreciate the Mazda 3’s responsive steering, comfortable interior, and good gas mileage. Common complaints include a sometimes-stiff ride, road noise, and a cramped rear seat.

Engine

2.0L Skyactiv-G I4

• Engine Mount Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Excessive engine vibration, especially at idle. Noise and movement can be felt through the steering wheel or seats. Sometimes a clunking noise is heard upon acceleration or deceleration.
  • Solution: Replace the failed engine mount(s). Often the passenger side (right) engine mount is the first to fail.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Purge Valve Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The vehicle may have difficulty starting, especially after refueling. The check engine light will likely illuminate, and a diagnostic code related to the evaporative emissions system (e.g., P0441, P0455) may be present.
  • Solution: Replace the purge valve.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

2.5L Skyactiv-G I4

• Purge Valve Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The vehicle may have difficulty starting, especially after refueling. The check engine light will likely illuminate, and a diagnostic code related to the evaporative emissions system (e.g., P0441, P0455) may be present.
  • Solution: Replace the purge valve.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Skyactiv-Drive 6-Speed Automatic

• Harsh Shifting/Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough or jerky shifts between gears, particularly at low speeds. Hesitation or delay when accelerating from a stop.
  • Solution: Perform a transmission fluid flush and software update if available. In some cases, valve body replacement or complete transmission rebuild/replacement is required.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 (fluid flush) - $3,000+ (transmission replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Rear Suspension Noises
  • Description/Symptoms: Squeaking, creaking, or rattling noises coming from the rear suspension, especially when going over bumps. Often worsens in cold weather. The rear sway bar bushings can dry out and cause a squeaking noise
  • Solution: Lubricate or replace the rear sway bar bushings and end links.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Infotainment System Freezing/Crashing
  • Description/Symptoms: The Mazda Connect infotainment system freezes, becomes unresponsive, or crashes frequently. This can affect navigation, audio, and other system functions.
  • Solution: Attempt a system reset. If the problem persists, a software update may be available. In some cases, the entire infotainment unit may need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (reset/update) - $800+ (replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• TPMS Sensor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light illuminates on the dashboard, even when tire pressures are within the correct range. A faulty TPMS sensor in one or more wheels.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty TPMS sensor(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $150 per sensor
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Windshield Cracking near A-Pillar
  • Description/Symptoms: Cracks appearing near the A-pillar. This can spread and require replacement of the windshield.
  • Solution: Replace the windshield.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Sun Visor Sagging/Breaking
  • Description/Symptoms: The sun visors become loose, sag down, or break at the hinge.
  • Solution: Replace the sun visor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $150+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2015 Mazda 3 Sport has a mix of minor and moderate issues. The most concerning are potential transmission issues, which can be costly to repair. Other common problems involve the engine mounts, purge valves, and infotainment system. While the severity of the issues can vary, potential buyers should be aware of these potential problems and factor them into their purchasing decision. The cost to repair these issues ranges from a few hundred dollars for smaller fixes to several thousand dollars for more significant repairs like transmission work.