MazdaMAZDA32018Overview/mazda/mazda3/2018/base/

2018 Mazda MAZDA3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 MAZDA3.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Mazda3 is a passenger car that uses a 0W‑20‑rated engine with a 4.4‑quart oil capacity. Its model‑year records 107 total owner complaints and four recalls, positioning it near the low end of a complaint history that peaked at 686 complaints in 2010 and fell to just 10 complaints in the most recent 2024 data. This trend reflects an improving reliability pattern for the MAZDA3 line as it approaches the latest model years.

Model year202020192018201720162015201420132006

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque80-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses 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.

Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215/60R16, P215/50R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPE14302 alt PE0114342
Engine air filterPE07133A0A alt PEAR133A0
Spark plugPE5R18110A
Battery0000800035WB
Front wiper bladesBHS267330 alt BHS367330
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.

7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2018 Grand Touring Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018Grand Touring Sedan 2.5L I-47.00 sec15.50 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
2017Grand Touring Sedan 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec184 hpFWD
2017Touring 2.5 5-door Hatchback 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec184 hpFWD
2017Touring Sedan 2.0L I-47.90 sec16.20 sec155 hpFWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80-108 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.2
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantCheck cap: if cap is marked FL-22, use FL-22
Engine Coolant Capacity6.0-8.0
Engine CoolantCheck cap: if cap is marked FL-22, use FL-22
Engine Coolant Capacity6.5-7.5

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0-85.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 80.0-85.0 ft-lbs, MT: 113.0-118.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-14 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-14 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

Lug Nuts80-108 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap.041-.055 in
Spark Plug Torque12-14 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap.041-.055 in
Spark Plug Torque12-14 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.03-1.15 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.38 oz

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.8 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum70.3 psi
Residual PressureIgnition off fuel holding pressure 33.0
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum58.8 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum70.3 psi
Residual PressureIgnition off fuel holding pressure 33.0
Engine Compression101
Engine Compression109

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20-; Rear: 17-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 68-; Rear: 38-
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
1110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 180 degrees, Step 3: 175.0-202.0110 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
127.0-53.0 inch lbs.27–53 in
271.0-97.0 inch lbs.71–97 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0-71.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 10.0-13.044–71 in
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
127.0-53.0 inch lbs.27–53 in
213.0-16.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
280.0-100.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
280.0-100.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
280.0-100.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55 degrees-6567–81 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55 degrees-6567–81 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
134.0-40.0 ft. lbs.34–40 ft. lbs
256.0-62.0 ft. lbs.56–62 ft. lbs
380.0-86.0
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Nuts 1, 225–39 ft. lbs
2Nuts 3, 4, 532–47 ft. lbs
332-47
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Nuts 1, 225–39 ft. lbs
2Nuts 3, 4, 532–47 ft. lbs
332-47
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Inner bolts

129.0-30.0 ft. lbs.29–30 ft. lbs
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
318.0-20.0 ft. lbs.18–20 ft. lbs
458.0-63.0 degrees; Outer bolts58–63 degrees
115.0-18.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Cap bolts

120.0-30.0 ft. lbs.20–30 ft. lbs
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
323.0-25.0 ft. lbs.23–25 ft. lbs
458.0-62.0 degrees; Side bolts58–62 degrees
115.0-18.0
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 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Tire Pressure Monitoring System (reset)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 180,000 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 2018 Mazda Mazda3 appears in the federal record with 107 complaints and 4 recalls, a modest decline from 2017’s 83 complaints but still higher than the 2020 count of 32. Across the decade, complaint numbers peaked in 2010 at 686, dropped sharply by 2012, and have steadily fallen to 12 in 2024, while recalls hovered between 1 and 6, with 2016 and 2019 each at 6. The 2018 model’s recall count of 4 sits mid‑generation, matching the average recall rate of the later years and indicating no surge in safety defects. Complaint hot‑spots for 2018 are “Unknown or Other” (16) and “Electrical System” (16), both double the single‑digit crash complaints (6) and zero fire complaints. In context, 2018 is part of a downward trend in complaints and recalls, suggesting it is a solid year to consider, provided you verify the specific electrical issues noted.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
460
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
107
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 0 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 107 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other16
Electrical System16
Visibility/Wiper15
Back Over Prevention13
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other5
Service Brakes5
Engine4
Fuel System, Gasoline3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 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…

17V745000Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust SystemReported 21/11/2017

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3 vehicles, equipped with an incorrect exhaust valve spring. The incorrect exhaust valve spring may fail while driving, potentially causing an… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engines and replace any incorrect exhaust valve springs, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 20, 2018…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 460 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

How much oil does the 2018 MAZDA3 take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 STARBURST, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 MAZDA3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.