Mazda is a Japanese carmaker founded in 1920. The cars themselves are another matter: across 19 VIN prefixes on record they came off lines in 3 countries — Japan 60.8%, the United States 35.8%, Mexico 3.4%. 27 models are tracked here (1981–2026). Reliable? yes, on balance — 4.0 out of 5 across 27 rated models, though the spread between model years is far wider than the badge suggests (every model ranked →).
Who makes Mazda
Mazda Motor Corporation is a Japanese automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture. Founded as Toyo Cork Kogyo Co. in 1920 by Jujiro Matsuda, the company began producing trucks in 1931 and adopted the Mazda name (an anglicization of Matsuda also referencing Ahura Mazda, the Zoroastrian deity of light) for export. Mazda is the only automaker that ever mass-produced rotary (Wankel) engines, sold in the Cosmo, RX-7 and RX-8 from 1967 through 2012, and announced the rotary's return as a range-extender in the 2024 MX-30 R-EV. The Skyactiv engine and chassis architecture, introduced in 2011, represented Mazda's decision to pursue efficiency through internal-combustion refinement rather than aggressive electrification. The CX-5, CX-50, CX-90 and CX-30 lead Mazda's SUV lineup, while the MX-5 Miata remains the world's best-selling roadster of all time. Mazda trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under 7261. Recall data for every Mazda VIN is reported to NHTSA, and EPA fuel-economy ratings, IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designations (which Mazda has won across nearly every model line) and J.D. Power studies provide independent benchmarks. ForCar.org decodes any Mazda VIN to surface trim, factory options, open recalls and original MSRP.
Toyo Cork Kogyo was founded in Hiroshima in 1920 to manufacture cork. Jujiro Matsuda took over in 1921 and pivoted the company to machine tools and trucks. The 1967 Cosmo Sport became the second mass-produced rotary-engine car after NSU. The 1989 MX-5 Miata revived the affordable roadster segment and has produced over 1.2 million units across four generations, with the world record for highest-selling two-seat sports car certified by Guinness in 2016.
| Mazda | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1920 |
| Founded by | Jujiro Matsuda |
| Headquarters | Hiroshima, Japan |
| Listed as | MZDAY |
| Slogan | «Zoom-Zoom» |
| Models tracked here | 23 (1981–2026) |
| Assembled in | 3 countries |
Technology it is known for: Skyactiv-X spark-controlled compression ignition, Skyactiv chassis, KODO design language, i-Activsense driver assistance, e-Skyactiv mild-hybrid and plug-in.
This page covers Mazda Motor Corporation, the automaker — not the Ahura Mazda deity or any unrelated Mazda surname uses.
Where Mazda cars are actually built
A badge says where a company is registered, not where its cars were bolted together. The first three characters of any VIN — the world manufacturer identifier — say the second thing, and that is what we counted: 16,950 vehicles on record, 19 distinct manufacturer codes.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | JM3, JM1, JN1, JM2 | 1982–2026 | |
| the United States | 1YV, 4F2, 4F4, 7MM | 1985–2026 | |
| Mexico | 3MZ, 3MV | 2014–2025 |
Read your own: the first character is the region, the first three together identify the plant's manufacturer. A Mazda beginning JM3 was assembled in Japan.
All Mazda models 27
Every Mazda model we track, grouped by body type. Click any model for its VIN decoder, recalls, MPG, safety and ForCar Reliability Score — broken down by year.
Mazda SUVs & crossovers 8
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | 2013–2026 | 33 | 2,202 | 38 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-50 | 2023–2026 | 10 | 139 | 38 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda CX-30 | 2020–2026 | 12 | 243 | 29 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-90 | 2024–2026 | 15 | 27 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2007–2026 | 55 | 1,477 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-70 | 2025–2026 | 6 | 50 | 26 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda Tribute | 2001–2011 | 60 | 2,160 | 32 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-7 | 2007–2012 | 29 | 1,130 | 23 mpg | 4.0/5 |
Mazda Cars & sedans 11
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda RX-8 | 2004–2012 | 42 | 814 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda CX-3 | 2016–2022 | 13 | 111 | 31 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda 626 | 1981–2002 | 54 | 3,356 | 33 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda Protege | 1990–2003 | 35 | 1,196 | 30 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda 323 | 1986–1994 | 15 | 181 | 28 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda MX-6 | 1988–1997 | 23 | 231 | 26 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda MX-3 | 1989–1996 | 10 | 149 | 29 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda 929 | 1988–1996 | 10 | 191 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda Millenia | 1995–2002 | 8 | 265 | 21 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda MX-30 | 2022–2026 | 1 | 1 | 92 mpg | 5.0/5 |
| Mazda GLC | 1981–1986 | 10 | 5 | 30 mpg | 3.5/5 |
Mazda More models 8
| Model | Years | Recalls | Complaints | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 | 1990–2026 | 34 | 98 | 30 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda RX-7 | 1981–1996 | 23 | 257 | 18 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda Mazda3 | 2004–2026 | 81 | 3,007 | — | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda B-Series | 1981–2010 | 31 | 565 | — | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda MPV | 1989–2006 | 45 | 1,045 | 20 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda Navajo | 1991–1994 | 20 | 172 | 18 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Mazda Mazda6 | 2003–2021 | 89 | 2,265 | — | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda Mazda2 | 2011–2021 | 8 | 31 | — | 4.5/5 |
Mazda by the numbers
What the federal records say about the marque. Each line links to the full breakdown by model and year.
| Topic | Mazda | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 772 campaigns | Most recalled: Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| Owner complaints | 18,652+ filed | Most reported: 626 |
| Fuel economy | 92 mpg best | Leader: MX-30 |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ top rated | 8 models tested by NHTSA |
| Insurance | $1,299/yr typical | Cheapest: MX-5 |
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Mazda hybrids & electric models
Mazda's electrified lineup — 6 hybrids and 1 electric / plug-in. Click any model for its full powertrain, MPG and range by year.
Mazda hybrids 6
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda CX-5 | 2013–2026 | 38 | 33 | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-50 | 2023–2026 | 38 | 10 | 4.0/5 |
| Mazda CX-90 | 2024–2026 | 26 | 15 | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-9 | 2007–2026 | 26 | 55 | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda CX-70 | 2025–2026 | 26 | 6 | 4.5/5 |
| Mazda Tribute | 2001–2011 | 32 | 60 | 3.5/5 |
Mazda electric & plug-in 1
| Model | Years | Best figure | Recalls | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda MX-30 | 2022–2026 | 92 | 1 | 5.0/5 |
Electrified variants from EPA fueleconomy.gov powertrain data. A model may offer gas, hybrid and electric versions across years.
Get a Mazda window sticker by VIN
Recreate any Mazda's original Monroney label — MSRP, factory options, EPA MPG and safety — free from the VIN.
Mazda window stickers →How to read a Mazda VIN
Every Mazda built since 1981 carries a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It encodes where and when the vehicle was made, its engine and body — here's what each part means:
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Mazda and the country it was built in (real Mazda codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled it.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJC1 · JC2 · JM1 · JM2 · JM3
- Mexico3MD · 3MV · 3MY · 3MZ
- USA7MM · 7MU
The remaining digits — engine (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard. The whole position-by-position breakdown — year codes 2001–2026, country codes, stamping locations — lives in our VIN decoder tool.
Who owns Mazda, and what you get
Mazda is independent, Japanese-owned and publicly listed as MZDAY. Mazda competes in mass-market segments but positions itself one tier above Toyota and Honda on driving dynamics, interior craftsmanship and design — what the brand calls premium-mainstream. The CX-50, CX-70 and CX-90 represent Mazda's 2022-2024 push upmarket using a longitudinal-engine inline-six platform shared across the larger SUVs. Mazda is one of the few independent automakers, having ended its 22-year capital alliance with Ford in 2015.
| Mazda | |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Ownership | Independent |
| Stock ticker | MZDAY |
| Basic warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
| Powertrain warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Assembly countries | Japan, United States, Mexico |
⚠ Worth knowing before you rely on it: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, while basic cover here runs 3 years / 36,000 miles. See when Mazda models actually start to break →
Mazda — frequently asked
Is Mazda japanese?
Mazda is a Japanese company, headquartered in Hiroshima and founded in 1920. The cars are a separate question: 60.8% of the Mazda vehicles in our records were assembled in Japan.
Where are Mazda cars made?
Across 19 manufacturer codes on record, assembly splits as: Japan (60.8%), the United States (35.8%), Mexico (3.4%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the manufacturer and plant country — that is where these shares come from.
Who owns Mazda?
Mazda is independent, publicly traded as MZDAY.
How many Mazda models are there?
We track 27 Mazda models spanning 1981–2026. The full list is above, ordered by how often each is searched.
What is the Mazda warranty?
New vehicles come with 3 years / 36,000 miles basic cover and 5 years / 60,000 miles on the powertrain. Terms vary by model year and market — confirm with a dealer.
Is Mazda reliable?
It depends far more on the model and year than on the badge. Every Mazda model is ranked by complaint rate here, along with the age at which each starts to fail.
Explore other brands
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|---|---|---|
| GMC | 25 models | 5,461,570/mo searched |
| Porsche | 15 models | 5,177,140/mo searched |
| Volkswagen | 35 models | 4,395,960/mo searched |
| Acura | 17 models | 4,216,880/mo searched |
| Mercedes-Benz | 42 models | 4,007,630/mo searched |
| Cadillac | 32 models | 3,966,300/mo searched |
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