Recall 19V514 affects 9,430 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 vehicles for front head restraints that fail to lock. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
Mazda is recalling 9,430 2019 MAZDA3 vehicles because the front seat cover material can press against the head restraint lock release button and leave the restraint unlocked. A loose head restraint raises injury risk in a crash, and Mazda dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front head restraint on the 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 is the adjustable padded support at the top of each front seat. It locks at different heights so the driver or front passenger can set it behind the head and neck, then keep it in that position while the vehicle is being used.
On affected MAZDA3 vehicles, the front seat cover material was installed out of position. That material can press against the head restraint lock release button and leave the button stuck in the release position. When that happens, the head restraint does not lock into place after adjustment.
The warning sign appears when you adjust the height of either front head restraint. If the restraint slides or fails to hold its selected height, the lock button is not doing its job.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 | seat assembly |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 9,430 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Loose front head restraints increase injury risk in a crash. If a restraint feels loose or does not lock while you adjust its height, stop using that seating position and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free front-seat head-restraint spacer repair (the spacers keep the lock release buttons from sticking).
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V514 when you call.
- Check that both front head restraints lock after adjustment, and keep the dealer appointment even if they seem secure.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mazda technician installs spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints. The spacers help keep the seat cover material from holding the buttons in the release position, so the head restraints lock into place as intended. Parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs tied to this defect are handled through Mazda's new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| July 5, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 5, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| July 8, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 20, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
| September 3, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V514?
Recall 19V514 covers 9,430 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 vehicles with front seat head restraint lock release buttons that can stick because the seat cover material interferes with them. A loose head restraint can increase injury risk in a crash. Mazda dealers install spacers on both front seat head restraints for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 19V514. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule spacer installation for both front seat head restraints. Reference Mazda recall number 3819F when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Mazda to perform the recall repair at no cost. A franchised Mazda dealer will install spacers at the bottom of the lock release buttons on both front seat head restraints for free.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that a front head restraint fails to lock into place. In a crash, a loose head restraint can increase injury risk for the person in that seat. Mazda's repair adds spacers to the lock release buttons so the restraints lock properly.
What if I bought my Mazda MAZDA3 used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2019 Mazda MAZDA3 is included, then call a franchised Mazda dealer and reference recall 19V514 or Mazda recall number 3819F.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V514000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V514 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V514000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →