MazdaMAZDA32016Overview/mazda/mazda3/2016/base/

2016 Mazda MAZDA3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 MAZDA3.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 is a passenger car that sits in the middle of the model’s 2004–2024 reliability record, drawing 102 owner complaints and six recalls against a range that peaks at 686 complaints for the 2010 model year and bottoms out at ten for 2024. Its most frequently reported complaint category is “Unknown Or Other,” a pattern that places the 2016 edition below the line’s worst years while still keeping it clearly above the much quieter later model years. For researchers, that profile makes the 2016 MAZDA3 a moderately represented year rather than a standout problem period in the model’s two-decade complaint history.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132006

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI With Skyactive: 35, Without Skyactive: 21R · With Skyactive: 525, Without Skyactive: 350 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1WPE14302. 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 With Skyactive: 35, Without Skyactive: 21R · With Skyactive: 525, Without Skyactive: 350 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPE14302 alt PE0114342
Engine air filterPEAR133A0 alt PE07133A0A
Spark plugPE5R18110A
Battery0000800035WB
Front wiper bladesBHS367330 alt BHS267330
Serpentine beltPEDD15908 alt PY0115908
ThermostatPE0115171

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3049 lb
Track (front / rear)61.4 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MAZDA3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.8–8.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.80 sec — 2016 s Grand Touring 5-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016s Grand Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.5L I-46.80 sec15.40 sec184 hpFWD
2016i Grand Touring Sedan 2.0L I-47.50 sec16.00 sec155 hpFWD
2016i Grand Touring Sedan 2.0L I-48.00 sec16.20 sec155 hpFWD
2016i Grand Touring Sedan 2.0L I-48.40 sec16.40 sec155 hpFWD
2015s Grand Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.5L I-47.30 sec15.60 sec184 hpFWD
2015s Grand Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.60 sec184 hpFWD
2017Grand Touring Sedan 2.5L I-46.80 sec15.40 sec184 hpFWD
2017Grand Touring 5-door Hatchback 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec184 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine SAE J1703 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 26.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Brake FluidSAE J1703
Clutch FluidSAE J1703
Engine CoolantCheck cap: if cap is marked FL-22, use FL-22
Engine Coolant Capacity7.3
Engine CoolantCheck cap: if cap is marked FL-22, use FL-22
Engine Coolant Capacity7.1 qt

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts35.0-43.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700-800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)500-600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)600-800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)500-600 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650-800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)660-760 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)720-870 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.03-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.38 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberWith Skyactive: 35, Without Skyactive: 21R
Standard BCI Group Number21R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance350 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.8 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum70.3 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)Fuel holding pressure 33
Engine Compressionpsi 103 - 128 / max variation 21.5 psi
Engine Compressionpis 111-138 / max variation 23.2 psi
Engine Oil Pressure34-75 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure57-94 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 21; Rear: 18 /; Front: 20-; Rear: 17-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 68-; Rear: 38-; Front: 68-; Rear: 38-
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .280
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .937; Rear: .310
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .004

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0-110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 180 degrees, Step 3: 175.0-202.074–110 ft. lbs
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
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: 80.0-100.020–23 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80.0-100.020–23 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil. · Step 1 · 2.2-8.0 ft. lbs.

29.5-12.5 ft. lbs.9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
332.0-34.0 ft. lbs.32–34 ft. lbs
488 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
588 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
171.0-106.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 20-2571–106 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Tire Pressure Monitoring System (reset)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The federal record shows complaints rose to a peak of 686 in 2010 and have generally trended downward thereafter, with 2016 recording 102 complaints — lower than most preceding years and comparable to the low‑complaint years of 2011‑2013. Recall activity in 2016 was six, which is above the surrounding model years (four in 2015, two in 2017) and matches the higher recall counts seen in 2014 and 2019. Investigations were zero in 2016, consistent with the pattern from 2012 onward after occasional spikes earlier in the decade. Technical service bulletins for 2016 totaled 665, falling below the 2014‑2015 highs but above the 2013 level, indicating a moderate service‑notice burden. Overall, the relatively low complaint volume coupled with typical recall levels suggests the 2016 Mazda3 is a sound used‑car option, provided any outstanding recalls are verified as completed.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
665
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
102
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 102 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other15
Electrical System10
Back Over Prevention8
Service Brakes8
Visibility/Wiper6
Power Train5
Parking Brake4
Fuel/Propulsion System4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V272000Visibility:Windshield Wiper/WasherReported 04/04/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Mazda3 vehicles. A defective windshield wiper relay may cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative, reducing the driver's visibility. Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front body control module with a new module which uses an improved wiper relay design, free of charge. The recall began May…

16V684000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank AssemblyReported 22/09/2016

Mazda Motors North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured January 4, 2014, to September 18, 2015. The fuel tank of the affected vehicles may have been… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and depending on the tank lot number, dealers will inspect the ICV weld, replacing the fuel tank, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 665 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…
01-008-262026-05-01Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are…
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…
SA-026-262026-04-16EngineThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes…

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 MAZDA3. 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 2016 MAZDA3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.