2022 Mazda Mazda3
The 2022 Mazda Mazda3 is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize sedan with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 3 4-Door 2WD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year so far (Safety Signal A). Owners have filed 24 complaints, most often about the air bags. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.
| Trim | Powertrain | Drive | MSRP | HP | Torque | MPG comb | Seats | Cargo (2nd row) | Wheels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda3 2.0 Sedan | Gas | FWD | — | 155 hp | 150 lb-ft | 31 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 16 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 30 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 16 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan Select Package | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 30 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan Preferred Package | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 30 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan Preferred Package AWD | Gas | AWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 28 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan Carbon Edition | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 30 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan Premium Package | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 30 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Sedan Premium Package AWD | Gas | AWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 28 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Sedan | Gas | AWD | — | 227 hp | 310 lb-ft | 27 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Sedan Premium Plus Package | Gas | AWD | — | 227 hp | 310 lb-ft | 27 mpg | 5 | 13.2 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 29 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 16 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback Select Package | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 29 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback Preferred Package | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 29 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback Preferred Package AWD | Gas | AWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 27 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback Carbon Edition | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 29 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback Premium Package | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 29 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback Premium Package AWD | Gas | AWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 27 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 S Hatchback Premium Package MT | Gas | FWD | — | 186 hp | 186 lb-ft | 27 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Hatchback | Gas | AWD | — | 227 hp | 310 lb-ft | 26 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
| Mazda3 2.5 Turbo Hatchback Premium Plus Package | Gas | AWD | — | 227 hp | 310 lb-ft | 26 mpg | 5 | 20.1 cu-ft | 18 in |
MSRP excludes destination. Open a trim for the complete spec sheet and standard/optional equipment. Have the car in front of you? Decode its VIN to see which of these trims it is and what it was priced at.
Specs & fuel economy
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov| Configuration | Powertrain | Drive | Engine / motor | City | Hwy | Comb | Annual fuel* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 4-Door 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 28 | 36 | 31 | $2,150 |
| 3 4-Door 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 26 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| 3 5-Door 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 26 | 34 | 29 | $2,300 |
| 3 4-Door 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 25 | 33 | 28 | $2,400 |
| 3 4-Door 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 32 | 27 | $2,500 |
| 3 5-Door 2WD | Gas | FWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 24 | 33 | 27 | $2,500 |
| 3 5-Door 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 25 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| 3 5-Door 4WD | Gas | 4WD | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 23 | 31 | 26 | $2,600 |
*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 45028, 45029, 45033, 45030, 45031, 45032, 45034, 45035.
Emissions & certification
Source: EPA emission certificates| Configuration | Smog rating | Emission standard | Where it can be sold new | SmartWay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 4-Door 2WD | 7 / 10 | California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | SmartWay |
| 3 4-Door 2WD, 3 4-Door 4WD, 3 5-Door 2WD, 3 5-Door 4WD | 7 / 10 | California LEV-III SULEV30 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 30 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
| 3 4-Door 4WD, 3 5-Door 4WD | 5 / 10 | California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 | All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards | — |
Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.
The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.
Factory warranty running out?
The 2022 Mazda Mazda3 is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. What an extended plan does and does not cover is worth reading before a dealer quotes you one.
What to check before you buy →Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
Recalls (0)
Source: NHTSA recall databaseNo NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2022 Mazda Mazda3. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them.
These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.
Hear about a recall before the letter does
The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2022 Mazda Mazda3, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.
Parts & accessories for the 2022 Mazda Mazda3
Search by fitment on eBay Motors — OEM take-offs, aftermarket, and the trim pieces dealers no longer stock. The listing and the price are the seller's.
Find parts for this Mazda3 →Owner complaints
Source: NHTSA complaint database1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries · 0 deaths reported
9.5 per 10,000 built · Mazda reported 25,224 Mazda3 built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)
Filed per year: 2022: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2026: 1
Most-cited components
In owners' own words
Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.
The vehicle's Connectivity Master Unit (CMU) / infotainment system has experienced a complete, permanent internal electronic failure, logged by Diagnostic Trouble Code DTC U3000:49 (Control Module Internal Electronic Failure). The main display screen is completely dark at all times and never powers on or responds.
Transmission control unit (TCU) failure with error code P061B in 2022 Mazda 3. Problem began approximately 6 months after purchase (February 2023, mileage 8181). Despite five repair attempts by Russell & Smith Mazda Houston (August 8, 2023; January 22, 2025; April 8, 2025; October 13, 2025; December 23, 2025), dealer has been unable to…
I recently received a warning on the dashboard that there is an airbag malfunction and needs to be taken in to get serviced. The warning continues to appear. This appears similar to a recent recall of 2024-2025 Mazda 3s and CX-30s, but there does not appear to be a recall issued for 2022 Mazda 3 models.
Driver door does not open from inside the vehicle. Door opens when opened from outside the vehicle
The contact owns a 2022 Mazda Mazda3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated unexpectedly. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact slammed on the brake pedal and bumped his head.
Humming or wining noise coming from back of vehicle when driving in highways around 75 mph
Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.
Reported by Mazda itself: 5 death-or-injury claims on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 5 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 20 per 100,000 built. Every Mazda3 model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.
Crash ratings
Source: NHTSA NCAP| Configuration | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 5 HB AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
| 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10% |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.
Service bulletins & campaigns
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications- 7 years or 84,000 miles · Mazda warranty extension SSPD5VALVE STEM SEALS CLASS ACTION In conjunction with a Class Action Settlement, Mazda Motor Corporation has decided to conduct an extension of the Engine powertrain warranty related to excessive oil…
- 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first · Mazda warranty extension SSPD8SSPD8 - Check Engine Light ON with DTC P0126:00 - WARRANTY EXTENSION For certain 2018-2025MY CX-5, 2019-2023MY Mazda3, 2019-2022MY CX-3, 2018-2021MY Mazda6, 2020-2023MY CX-30 that are equipped with…
- Term not in NHTSA’s summary · Mazda warranty extension CSP13Mazda connect infotainment system limited warranty extension.
The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Mazda warranty extension (9) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →
Most often about: Electrical System, Engine, Unknown Or Other, Equipment, Structure.
- SA-042-26a Service bulletin2026-09-17 · Electrical System
- Mazda Connected Services - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-042/26 06/30/26 DESCRIPTION Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting Started Dealer Processes Registration / Enrollment / Take-Over Customer Subscription Status WI-FI Gene
- SA-041-26a Service bulletin2026-09-11 · Electrical System
- DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical concern. Below are a few examples of unusual electrical concerns caused by aftermarket devices. Example
- SA-038-26b Service bulletin2026-09-10 · Electrical System
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 08/18/26 and 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
- SA-038-26a Service bulletin2026-09-04 · Electrical System
- This 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 / U
- SA-039-26a Service bulletin2026-08-19 · Electrical System
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-039/26 06/15/26 Mazda Connect Symptom Troubleshooting DESCRIPTION Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.
- SA-053-26 Service bulletin2026-08-19 · Wheels
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-006/23 01/23/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock and/or tire pressures and/or tire pressure missing. This may be caused by: Incorrect calendar entry (month/day/year) after a battery disconnect Infot
- SA-052-26 Service bulletin2026-08-18 · Unknown Or Other
- DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus showing expired even though the customer purchased a paid subscription. SiriusXM audio packages do not include SiriusXM Travel Link, Traffic Plus. To get Traffic Plus, the customer must purchase the Infotainment "SiriusXM Traffic Plus with SiriusXM Travel Link (TM)" package.
- 06-001-26 Service bulletin2026-07-08 · Steering
- DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain that the electric power steering warning light illuminates after engine start and DTC U2011:1C is stored. Zinc-plated whisker may form inside the EPS motor and trigger the DTC. However, since it is cleared when power is supplied during DTC detection, normal operation can be restored by turning the ignition OFF and then ON. Furthermore, there is no possibilit
A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.
Diagnostic trouble codes on file
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaintsCodes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.
| Code | What it means | Most often filed under | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0126 P0126 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 29 bulletins |
| U3000 U3000 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 13 bulletins · 1 owner report |
| B1030 B1030 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Seats | 7 bulletins |
| B1032 B1032 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Seats | 7 bulletins |
| B1126 B1126 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Air Bags | 5 bulletins · 1 owner report |
| P2B61 P2B61 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 6 bulletins |
| B1127 B1127 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Air Bags | 5 bulletins |
| P250F P250F on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Engine | 5 bulletins |
| U0186 U0186 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 4 bulletins |
| U2145 U2145 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 4 bulletins |
| B11C4 | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 2 bulletins |
| B14F0 B14F0 on Mazda → | Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard. | Electrical System · Battery → | 2 bulletins |
Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.
At the New York inspection station
Source: New York State DMVIn New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2022 Mazda Mazda3 failed the emissions check on 0.99% of first inspections — lower than the 1.7% for every 2022 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.9% (every 2022 vehicle: 1.4%).
failed emissions
807 initial inspections of 793 vehicles.
| Measure | The 2022 Mazda3 | Every 2022 vehicle | Behind it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failed the emissions check | 0.99% | 1.7% | 805 |
| Failed the safety inspection | 2.9% | 1.4% | 807 |
| Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit | 0.12% | 0.18% | 807 |
| Miles driven a year | 9,333 | 10,455 | odometer at inspection |
| Average odometer | 40,187 | 44,815 | odometer at inspection |
New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2022 vehicle” is every 2022 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).
Mazda3 by model year
all years, side by side →Common questions about the 2022 Mazda3
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsDoes the 2022 Mazda Mazda3 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns are on file for the 2022 Mazda Mazda3. New campaigns appear here within a week of NHTSA posting them, and a clean sheet on a recent model year often just means the vehicle is new.
How safe is the 2022 Mazda Mazda3?
NHTSA gave the 2022 Mazda Mazda3 5 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 5-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 5-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it A (100/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Mazda Mazda3?
Across the 8 EPA-rated configurations of the 2022 Mazda Mazda3, the best EPA combined figure is 31 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.
What do owners complain about on the 2022 Mazda Mazda3?
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2022 Mazda Mazda3, most often about air bags, electrical system, seat belts. Of those, 1 involved a crash, 2 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.
How clean is the 2022 Mazda Mazda3?
The EPA smog rating for the 2022 Mazda Mazda3 runs 5 to 7 out of 10 across its configurations. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III SULEV30, California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 30, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.
Are there service bulletins for the 2022 Mazda Mazda3?
The manufacturer has filed 436 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2022 Mazda Mazda3, most often covering electrical system, engine, unknown or other. The most recent is dated 2026-09-17. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.
How does the 2022 Mazda Mazda3 do at state inspection?
In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2022 Mazda Mazda3 failed the emissions check on 0.99% of first inspections — lower than the 1.7% for every 2022 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.9% (every 2022 vehicle: 1.4%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.
What we hold, and what an empty row means
Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.
| Data | Held | Source | What it covers — or what empty means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy & configurations | 8 configurations | EPA certification records | Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures. |
| Emission certificates | 8 configurations | EPA emission certificates | Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new. |
| Recalls | none | NHTSA recall campaigns | No campaign has been filed. Because the register is complete, an empty row here means there is nothing to find — not that we are missing it. |
| Owner complaints | 24 | NHTSA complaint database | Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold. |
| Crash ratings | 4 tested | NHTSA NCAP | Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them. |
| Service bulletins | 436 | NHTSA manufacturer communications | Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall. |
| Investigations | none | NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation | No defect investigation has been opened. |
| Driver-assist crash reports | none | NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01 | No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like. |
| Specifications filed with NHTSA | none | NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns | We had no VIN pattern to decode for this model year, or the manufacturer filed nothing usable. |
| Trims, pricing & equipment | 20 trims | Manufacturer press kit | Transcribed from the manufacturer's own press material, every value carrying the document it came from. |
Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.
Sources & method
Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.
EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly. Trim-level specifications and pricing are transcribed from the manufacturer's official press kit; every value carries its source in the data file.