MAZDA Australia has been forced to issue a recall for some of the nation's favourite family cars.

Australia's second most popular new car brand will recall more than 35,000 versions of the Mazda 3, 6 and CX-5 over several issues that could cause engine failure in some circumstances.

All affected models were sold between 2012 and 2018 and are equipped with a diesel engine.

The problems stem from a build-up of carbon deposits and premature wear of certain engine components.

There are wide-ranging symptoms that can affect the vehicle's performance which can increase the risk of an accident and injury to the driver and other road users.

Some of the issues include a gradual drop in power, multiple dashboard warning lights, increased braking distance, a stalled engine that fails to restart and smoke coming from the engine bay.

Mazda Australia will contact all affected owners to book in repairs. The fix will be applied at a Mazda dealer at no cost to the consumer.

If you have any urgent queries contact Mazda's customer support on 1800 034 411.

The Mazda CX-5 and 3 have been some of the best selling vehicles in Australia for the past decade.

And while diesel-powered 3s were sold in small numbers, diesel has been a popular choice for SUV buyers. Even so diesel sales still represent just a fraction of the almost 150,000 CX-5s sold during the affected period.

However, the technology has been on the nose recently after the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal, which has cost the brand more than $100m locally. Several brands including VW, Audi and Porsche have slashed the number of diesel-powered vehicles from its Australian line-up.

Recalled vehicles

2014-2016 Mazda3

2012-2018 Mazda6

2012-2018 Mazda CX-5