This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Mazda dealer.
5.1
fairly significant
lights problem
My 2013 Mazda3 front headlights were flickering/dimming when brakes applied at night. Noticed while driving through some dense fog driving down a sketchy road in San Diego.
Luckily, just go to your local Mazda Dealer and ask for a software update on the vehicle, they fixed it for me within an hour and I haven't had an issue since.
- Kevin K., Phoenix, AZ, US
This is a continuing issue - never noticed it under Daylight Savings Time, but a lot of driving in the dark in the winter months. I'm afraid someone ahead of me will think I'm trying to signal them in some way. Flickering when braking/decelerating from anywhere above 40 mph. Glad to hear it's maybe not idiosyncratic to my vehicle.
Update from Jan 27, 2017: Took it into the dealer, and it's now fixed under warranty. Per work order: "PCM not commanding enough power from alternator as per TSB 01-019/13.. verified concern. Per TSB updated PCM software. OK now. XXJ9FXFX / 0.3 hours."
Update from Feb 12, 2017: Dealer found a Technical Service Bulletin on the issue; simple software update fixed it! And under warranty ;-)
- brehlerr, Grosse Pointe Park, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Took the car to the dealership and they "updated the programming" for the headlights. after a few months the problem came back. Now also the lights flicker when the steering wheel is being turned.
- Elizabeth B., Chattanooga, TN, US
It's very annoying for my lights to dim down every time I press the brake, especially if I'm going downhill and want to see.
- robin2226, Bonne Bay, NL, Canada
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This problem is getting worse. I want to find a solution.
- Glenn H., Redmond, WA, US
My concern is the unknown. Is this going to continue with no further issues or is it going to get worse? Will the headlights go out someday? or will/how will the brakes be effected???
Appears to be a problem with many more Mazdas than mine.
- Stan R., Edmonds, WA, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Am looking at purchasing a used 2013 Mazda 3 with 60,000+ miles. The current owner has been transparent with the issue of headlights flickering when brakes applied. He's already had it to the dealership before to be "fixed" but it continues to happen.
Just spoke with the dealership and was informed that the software update provided to the current owner may not have been the most up-to-date and that the newest one has typically corrected this problem and permanently.
I see there are some mixed responses to the fix working or not working. I'd like some feedback from other users to see what fix worked for you or if it didn't and if you had to return. Thanks!
- mxiong919, York, US