2004 Mazda MAZDA3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 170 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 22 MAZDA3 model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 24 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, frontalJul 1, 2021
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Mazda3 vehicles. During air bag deployment, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel air bag module cover may shatter, and project plastic fragments into the vehicle.
Plastic fragments can hit occupants during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.
Dealers will replace the air bag module cover, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed between August 28, 2021 and October 28, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 4921G.
Campaign 21V494000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentApr 2, 2009
THULE, INC. IS RECALLING 2,323 OWNER-INSTALLED ROOF-MOUNTED FIT KITS, MODELS 3068 AND 3069, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 28, 2009 THAT ARE USED WITH THULE PODIUM FOOT PACKS, MODELS 460 AND 460R. THESE FIT KITS WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BOLT(S) USED TO SECURE THE FOOT TO THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TO A HARDNESS THAT MAY CAUSE THE BOLT(S) TO BE BRITTLE AND POTENTIALLY BREAK UNDER STRESS.
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
THULE WILL MAIL A RETRO FIT KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THULE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-238-2388.
Campaign 09E011000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveSep 24, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A CRACK IN THE AIR BAG CRASH ZONE SENSOR HOUSING CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER THE SENSOR, CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT AND ILLUMINATING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT.
IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE AIR WILL NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FRONTAL CRASHES, INCREASING THE RISK OF DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CRASH ZONE SENSOR AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Campaign 04V468000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
29 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 4, 2005, crash
ON DECEMBER 20, 2004, I TRIED TO CRANK MY NEW 2004 RX-8 TO GO TO WORK. IT WAS 19 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK. IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 2 DAYS OVER THE WEEKEND. UNFORTUNATELY, I TOOK IT OUT OF GEAR AND DID NOT PLACE IT BACK IN. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WENT INSIDE, IT ROLLED, HITTING A TREE CAUSING $3800 DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. THE TREE WAS HIT VERY HARD AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. APPARENTLY, THIS CAR "SUPPOSEDLY" WAS RECALLED AND FIXED WHILE STILL OWED BY THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP ACCORDING TO THEIR RECORDS. HOWEVER, AFTER HAVING IT TOWED INTO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, IT HAD NOT BEEN FIXED. I WAS NEVER TOLD OF ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS OR RECALLS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 26, 2004
A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2004 MAZDA RX8, I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE ONE MORNING AND IT WOULDN'T START. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SERVICE AND THEY ADVISED THEY DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SERVICE DID A BATTERY INSPECTION, CHARGING AND TESTING; A DIAGNOSIS ON THE SPARK PLUG SET AND DRIVE CYCLE; AND CLEANED THE PLUG THREADS. JUST THIS MONTH, I PULLED TO A STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING THEN DIED. HAD IT TOWED TO SERVICE. SERVICE SAID VEHICLE NEEDED NEW COMPUTER PROGRAM INSTALLED FROM MAZDA. HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 2, 2004
SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY 2004 NEW MAZDA 3 , I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF ROTTEN EGG SMELL THAT IS COMING INTO THE VECHICLE. THIS BAD SMELL IS SICKENING. HOW CAN YOU HELP ? I HAVE CALLED SERVICE AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jul 29, 2004
THE A/C ON MY NEW CAR DOES NOT COOL THE CAR TO ANY COMFORT LEVEL.. I SWEAT IN THE HEAT WITH THE AC ON.IT DOESN'T COOL THE CAR INSIDE.I HAD IT CHECKED BY MY MAZDA DEALER THEY SAID IT IS UP TO THE MAUFACTUER'S STANDARDS.I TOLD THEM THAT I HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING WITH THE AC ON WHEN PASSING AT 40MPH THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IT DRAGGED.I HAD TO FLLOOR THE GAS PEDAL ON A MAJORR INTERSTATE TO MOVE FROM 40-60,FROM TOO SLOW TO TOO FAST.I HAD SECONDS TO MOVE OR GET KILLED.THE AC DOES NOT WORK AND THE SERVICE MANAGERR TOLD ME I HAVE TOO SMALL AN ENGINE AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE LARGER ENGINE THE( 2.3) YET THEY DENY ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AC SYSTEM.THE AC HASN'T WORKED SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY I NOTICED IT IN JULY.IT TOOK THREE WEEKS FOR THE DEALER TO GET BACK TO ME ABOUT AN APPT. PLEASE IGNORE THE HOOD EQUIPMENT ADDED BELOW( NOTHIGN ADDDED AFTER CAR WAS SOLD) COULD NOT REMOVE EQUIPMENT ADDED IN THIS REPORT.*AK