Mazda32021Overview/mazda/3/2021/base/

2021 Mazda 3

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

Requiring 4.5 qt of 0W-20 viscosity oil for engine maintenance, the 2021 Mazda 3 presents a reliability history marked by just 3 total owner complaints and a single recall. While steering emerges as the top complaint area, the low aggregate of issues places this model year in a stable position within the vehicle's reliability context. This concise data profile provides researchers with a clear indication of the vehicle's dependable ownership characteristics.

Model year202620252024202320222021

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
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, OE oil filter 1WPY14302. 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
Tire size205/60R16 92HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPY14302 alt 1WPE14302
Engine air filterPAH9133A0A alt PAJ8133A0A
Fuel filterPX0313ZE0 alt PX4J13ZE0
Spark plugPE5R18110A alt PY8V18110
Battery0000800035WB alt PAF318520A9U
Front wiper bladesBDTT67330 alt BDTS67330
Serpentine beltPY0115908 alt PX1315908
ThermostatP50215171 alt PYFA1516ZB
Cabin air filterBDGF61J6X

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.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-108.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.0 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.4 qt
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake FluidDOT 3

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0-85.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 23.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15.0-19.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 30.0-39.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 30.0-39.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80.0-108.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugUse a new gasket: 30.0-42.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.033 in
Spark Plug Torque12.0-14.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap0.041-0.055 in
Spark Plug Torque12.0-14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeR-134a: Pag 46; R-1234yf: Pag 46YF
Oil Capacity3.38 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberMexico built:47, Japan built: 35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum68.9 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum80.4 psi
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

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20.0-; Rear: 19.0-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 68.0-; Rear: 83.0-
ABS Sensor Torque6.5
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079" in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .28
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

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

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the 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 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
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.

Owner complaints about the 2021 Mazda 3 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. 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 2021 3 take?

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

Does the 2021 3 have open recalls?

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