Engine shutdown failure (won't fully power off)
After pressing the start/stop button in park, the engine stops but accessories (radio, lights, dashboard, A/C) remain powered, draining the battery
Check engine light: Off
This is the most common complaint for this generation. After pressing the start/stop button in park, the engine itself stops, but accessories like the radio, lights, dashboard, and A/C remain powered, draining the battery. The root cause is frequently traced to a faulty shifter position sensor (part number KDY0-46-040) that fails to recognize the vehicle is in park. NHTSA complaints state Mazda has acknowledged this as a 'known problem' but no formal recall has been issued. This is an electrical/sensor fault and doesn't reliably trigger a check-engine light on its own.
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Battery / parasitic drain issues
Dead or defective batteries, parasitic drain from radio/satellite systems
Check engine light: Off
The most frequent electrical repair for this generation: dead or defective batteries and parasitic drain from radio/satellite systems, with one owner reporting the car wouldn't start without being driven at least every two days.
$750 – $925195 – 66,960 mi
May overlap with or be masked by the engine shutdown problem described above. If your battery keeps draining, have both causes checked.
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LED daytime running light (DRL) failure
Both headlight assemblies affected
Check engine light: Off
LED daytime running light failures affecting both headlight assemblies. This was eventually recalled in early 2020 — but for owners of this vehicle's 2013-2016 model years experiencing the issue before then, that likely meant paying out of pocket. Not a check-engine-light fault since it's a lighting-system issue.
$1,100 – $2,50015,200 – 45,880 mi
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Infotainment / navigation system failures
Screen blackouts, ghost touch inputs, navigation freezing or GPS loss, upside-down map display, Bluetooth module malfunctions
Check engine light: Off
A range of infotainment issues: screen blackouts, ghost touch inputs, navigation freezing or losing GPS signal, an upside-down map display, and Bluetooth module malfunctions (the most commonly replaced component). Not a check-engine-light fault.
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Sensor and camera system failures
Forward collision warning sensor failures, windshield camera obstruction affecting multiple safety features, rear backup camera failures
Check engine light: Off
Failures affecting the forward collision warning sensor, windshield-mounted camera (which can affect multiple safety features at once), and the rear backup camera. Not a check-engine-light fault, though a related warning light often appears on the dash.
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Windshield cracking
Spontaneous cracks appearing without impact or debris
Check engine light: Off
Numerous reports of windshield cracks appearing spontaneously, without any impact or debris strike. Not confirmed as recall-covered.
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Premature rear brake failure with grinding noise and caliper issues
Premature rear brake failure, grinding noise, and caliper issues
Check engine light: Off
Premature rear brake failure, grinding noise, and caliper issues. This is among the more frequently reported issues on this generation, with 168 owner reports on file.
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The overwhelming majority of complaints for this generation describe the vehicle failing to shut off completely after pressing the start/stop button in park — the engine stops, but accessories like the radio, lights, and A/C keep running and drain the battery. NHTSA complaints state Mazda has acknowledged this as a known problem but has NOT issued a formal recall despite widespread reports. If your dashboard, lights, or radio stay on after the engine shuts off, this is very likely the cause.