Recall 16V684 affects 17,484 2014-2016 Mazda MAZDA3 vehicles for a fuel-tank ICV weld leak. Repair will be free at Mazda dealers once available.
Mazda is recalling 17,484 2014-2016 MAZDA3 vehicles under recall 16V684 because the fuel tank's inlet check valve attachment can fail and leak fuel. A fuel leak near an ignition source increases fire risk, and the Mazda dealer repair will be free once it is available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank on 2014-2016 Mazda MAZDA3 vehicles stores gasoline and feeds it to the fuel system while keeping fuel contained. The inlet check valve, or ICV, is part of that tank assembly. It helps control fuel movement at the filler inlet so fuel stays inside the tank during normal driving and refueling.
On affected MAZDA3 vehicles, the tank was improperly handled during fuel tank assembly. That handling damaged the welded attachment for the ICV. If the weld fails, the valve attachment no longer seals the way it was designed to, and gasoline can leak from the tank area.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should treat any fuel smell, wetness near the tank, or visible dripping as a reason to contact a Mazda dealer, but the recall filing does not identify a reliable early symptom before the ICV weld fails.
Who's affected?
Covers the same fuel-system component across the 2014, 2015, and 2016 MAZDA3.
| 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Mazda MAZDA3 | fuel system |
| 2016 Mazda MAZDA3 | fuel system |
| Units affected | 17,484 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. Keep heat, sparks, and open flame away from the vehicle, and schedule the recall inspection when the dealer can handle it. Repair will be free at any franchised Mazda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Mazda MAZDA3 is included in this recall.
- Contact Mazda customer service or a franchised Mazda dealer to confirm repair timing for your VIN before scheduling work.
- Reference recall number 16V684 when you call so the dealer can find the fuel-tank recall quickly.
- Schedule the fuel-tank inspection once Mazda confirms the repair is open. The dealer checks the Inlet Check Valve weld and replaces the fuel tank if needed, free of charge.
- Avoid parking near ignition sources if you smell fuel, and ask the dealer what to do before driving farther.
What happens at the repair
Mazda has not presented the final dealer repair as available. Once it opens, a Mazda technician will check the fuel tank lot number, inspect the ICV weld, and replace the fuel tank if that weld is affected. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Mazda has a general reimbursement plan on file for related out of pocket repairs already paid before the recall work opens. Contact Mazda customer service with repair paperwork to ask how that plan applies to your vehicle.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 22, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 13, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| October 13, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 1, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| November 18, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V684?
Recall 16V684 covers 17,484 2014-2016 Mazda MAZDA3 vehicles with an inlet check valve weld that can fail and allow fuel to leak. A fuel leak near an ignition source increases fire risk. Mazda dealers inspect the weld and replace the fuel tank as needed for free.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Mazda MAZDA3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific MAZDA3 is included in recall 16V684. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer and reference Mazda recall number 0116I. The dealer will inspect the inlet check valve weld and replace the fuel tank as needed for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Mazda dealers will inspect the inlet check valve weld and replace the fuel tank as needed free of charge under recall 16V684.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V684?
The safety risk is fire from a fuel leak. Mazda reported that improper fuel tank handling during manufacturing can cause the inlet check valve weld to fail. If fuel leaks and reaches an ignition source, the risk of fire increases.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V684000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V684 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V684000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →