Mazda bulletin SA-038-26a
What it saysThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Mazda filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Sep 4, 2026, about the engine. It names 38 model years (2019–2026). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote functions inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / Unlock Lights ON / OFF Climate Control 3. MAZDA CONNECT connected vehicle reception strength icon shows "X" or " ". Index MAZDA CONNECT 2 Center Display Status Icon MAZDA CONNECT 3 Center Display Status Icon Remote Engine Start Will Not Function Remote Engine Start Function Will turn engine OFF Customer Subscription Status TCU Communication Line Status
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA-038-26a | Service bulletin | Sep 4, 2026 | 11037018 | PDF, 11,730 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themA vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 38 model years this bulletin names have filed 1,671 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 620 of them name Engine, Electrical System, Exterior Lighting — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
On 14th, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on the northbound 55 Freeway near the Katella exit, my vehicle suddenly began to shake violently without any prior warning. In response, I attempted to slow down by applying the brakes; however, the speedometer rapidly increased even as I maintained firm pressure on the brake pedal.
2023 Mazda Mazda3 · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Jan 22, 2026 · ODI 11712753
Google search shows Mazda has common problem with their front sensing camera, people are reporting the issue for different Mazda models across the board for the last few years including newer models as well. My car display shows few malfunction warning messages. Following captured from MyMazda app. 1. Forward sensing camera malfunction.
2020 Mazda Mazda3 · Electrical System · filed with NHTSA Jun 16, 2024 · ODI 11594653
The vehicle exhibits a repeatable low-speed driveline-related problem consisting of pronounced clicking or clunking from the driver-front area, fore-and-aft jerking, and harsh engagement during deceleration and light on/off-throttle transitions, particularly around 15–17 mph; the behavior can become significantly worse over rough or…
2025 Mazda CX-5 · Engine · filed with NHTSA Aug 23, 2026 · ODI 11758883
In depth: 2021 Mazda CX-5 engine problems → · 2024 Mazda CX-90 engine problems → · 2024 Mazda CX-90 electrical problems →
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the engine
Source: same model, same component group109 other manufacturer communications filed against these Mazda models under the same component group (engine), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Mazda list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SA-060-26 | Service bulletin | Oct 1, 2026 | NOTE: This service information only applies to vehicles with PYUKD engine and EGR. DESCRIPTION DTC P0402 EGR malfunctions may be falsely det… |
| PF-26-04 | Other | Sep 30, 2026 | SUBJECT: ORDERING REQUIREMENT FOR AT COMPONENTS FOR H3T (INLINE 6) Use this guide before ordering or replacing an AT component on applicabl… |
| DRW59 | Service campaign | Sep 25, 2026 | Subject: Notification of Dealer Re-Work (DRW59) – 2026MY CX-30 and 2026MY Mazda3 - Check Engine Light On With DTC P0126:00 Dear Mazda Deale… |
| SA-061-26 | Service bulletin | Sep 17, 2026 | DESCRIPTION Use this guide before ordering or replacing an AT component on applicable H3T vehicles. QUICK CHECKLIST BEFORE ORDERING Confirm… |
| SA-059-26 | Service bulletin | Sep 10, 2026 | This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-029/24 05/09/24 DESCRIPTION The CX… |
| SA-058-26 | Service bulletin | Aug 26, 2026 | This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-001/25 10/16/25, 05/15/25, 04/17/25… |
| 01-010-26 | Service bulletin | Aug 10, 2026 | This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 01-012/22 10/06/22 DESCRIPTION S… |
| SA-048-26 | Service bulletin | Aug 6, 2026 | Some vehicle may exhibit the CHECK ENGINE light on with DTC P0524 (Engine oil pressure control system: Oil pressure decrease) and no abnorma… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Mazda, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Mazda SA-038-26a a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the SA-038-26a repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way. Every Mazda warranty extension on file lists the ones Mazda has filed.
Which vehicles does SA-038-26a cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 38 model years: 2026 Mazda CX-30, 2025 Mazda CX-30, 2024 Mazda CX-30, 2023 Mazda CX-30, 2022 Mazda CX-30, 2021 Mazda CX-30 and more. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.