Mazda3 Sport2021Overview/mazda/3-sport/2021/base/

2021 Mazda 3 Sport

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 3 Sport.

The 2021 Mazda 3 Sport offers researchers a reliability profile marked by a total of three owner complaints. Steering is identified as the top complaint area among these reports, which also include a single recall notice for the model year. This sparse data set places the vehicle in a favorable position within the model's reliability history, meaning researchers can evaluate the model with a minimal list of documented concerns.

Model year20252024202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque80.0-108.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Mexico built:47, Japan built: 35 · 520 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Mexico built:47, Japan built: 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length168.1 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight2987 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 80.0-108.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0-85.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80.0-108.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group NumberMexico built:47, Japan built: 35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Service checks

Engine Oil Pressure34-75 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure57-94 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash0.009-0.012 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.009-0.012 in
Intake Valve Lash0.009-0.011 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.012 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
127.0-53.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 71.0-97.0 inch lbs.27–53 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80-100°20–23 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80-100°20–23 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55-65°67–81 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
19.5-12.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0-34.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 85-95°, Step 4: 85-95°9.5–12.5 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2021 Mazda 3 Sport dominate in one area — the steering, 3 of 3 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the steering, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
276
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Steering3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V487000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 14/07/2023

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Mazda3 and 2016-2021 CX-3 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display properly by showing a flickering or distorted image. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera, as necessary. In addition, dealers will install a wiring harness fastening seal. All repairs will be performed free of…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 276 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
09-019-262026-06-17Electrical SystemThis bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are…
SA-027-26a2026-06-16Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted…
SA-031-262026-04-30StructureDESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 3 Sport. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 3 Sport have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.