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
170 reports, newest first.
Steering, Jul 6, 2005
DT: WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL AND TIRES WERE NOT IN LINE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. . IF THE ROAD WAS NOT EVEN THE STEERING WHEEL WILL DO THE SAME THING. CONSUMER STATED ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN GOING AT HIGH SPEED, THIS HAPPENED MORE OFTEN AND ON WINDY DAYS. WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT COME ALL THE WAY BACK. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2005
ENGINE STALLS--ON HOT DAYS--YOU'RE ON EXPRESSWAY YOU CAN FEEL POWER LOSS---THEN WHEN YOU GET OFF EXPRESSWAY OR HIT TRAFFIC JAM --THE CAR STALLS...SOMETIMES YOU CAN GET IT TO START..AND IDLE IS BAD BUT MAIN GOAL IS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.....SOMETIMES IF ON THE SIDE OF ROAD YOU CAN SIT FOR AWHILE AND THEN START IT UP LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED???
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2005
HAS NO POWER, HESITATES BADLY, BUCKS ABOVE 3-4 RPM, HAS CAUSED ME TO ALL MOST CRASH AND OR GET HIT 2-3 TIMES. RETURNED TO DEALER NO "CODE" FOUND WAS TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. 10-20 PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS I AM (SEE INFORMATION HERE HTTP://MAZDA-SPEED.COM/FORUM2/INDEX.PHP?TOPIC=86.0 )
Engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2004 MAZDA 6I. WHEN THE CONSUMER SLOWED DOWN IN FIRST GEAR TO COME TO A STOP THE RPM STARTED TO REV UP ABOUT 2000 OR 3000 RPMS AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV UP ALSO. WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN VERY MUCH SINCE. THE CONSUMER WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER NEXT WEEK. THERE WAS NO MODIFICATIONS ON THE ENGINE EVERYTHING WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. *JB
Air bags, May 19, 2005, crash
DT: WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ABOUT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUMPED ABOUT 4 FEET INTO THE AIR AND FLIPPED OVER ABOUT 4 TIMES ACCORDING TO EYE WITNESSES. THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN FACT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IT WAS NOT RAINING AND AS FAR AS THE CONSUMER COULD REMEMBER SHE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. THERE WAS NO BLOW OUT OF THE TIRES. *JB
Air bags, May 17, 2005, crash
INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISON ON APRIL 18 2005 AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HAVE CALLED AND EMAILS MAZDA ABOUT THIS AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FOR THE AIR BAG LIGHTS FLASHING. I WAS TRAVING AT 25 TO 30MPH AND THE OTHER CAR ( THERE FAULT ) WAS GOING ABOUT 20MPH. I SUFFERD HEAD, BACK, GROIN INJURYS. I VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY MAZDA IS TREATING ME ON THIS!!!
Power train, May 2, 2005
CLUTCH SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE. IS VERY PRONOUNCED ON HILLS, INCLINES, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE CLUTCH IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IE, NEED ACCELERATION TO PASS, MERGED INTO TRAFFIC ETC. AS A RESULT, THE CLUTCH WILL FAIL TO ENGAGE PROPERLY AND LEAVE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN VULNERABLE POSITION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE WHEN EXPECTING TO. IN ADDITION, THE CAR WILL ROLL BACK WHILE ON HILLS AND GET DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO VEHICLES BEHIND IT SINCE THE CLUTCH EITHER ENGAGES RESISTANTLY OR NOT AT ALL. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Apr 21, 2005
THE LIGHTS ON THE CONSOLE KEEPS POPPING ON. FIRST IT WAS THE AIR BAG LIGHT THAT TOOK 4 UNSUCCESSFUL VISITS TO THE DEALER. THAT PROBLEM SUBSIDED? AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS POPPING ON... *NM
Tires, Mar 25, 2005
CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, SHORTLY THEREAFTER ALL FOUR TIRES STARTED TO WEAR. THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE OF $700.00. THE TIRE DEALER STATED THE WEAR WAS NORMAL, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME ORIGINAL TIRE HE WAS REMOVING FROM THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER NOTICED ALL OF THE TIRES HAD BUBBLES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE DRIVER'S, AND THEY ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOUND.*AK
Power train, Seats, Mar 10, 2005
1.WHEN ADJUSTED DRIVER'S POWER SEAT CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD EVEN AFTER ADJUSTMENT SWITCH IS RELEASED, RESULTING IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS UNINTENDED AND UNCONTROLLABLE DRIVING POSITION FOR THE DRIVER.*AK 2.WHILE IN THE 'NEUTRAL' POSITION, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER IS TOO EASILY MOVED UINTENTIONALLY INTO THE REVERSE POSITION RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY AND DANGEROUSLY REVERSING ITS POSITION AND MOVING REARWARD UNINTENTIONALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE GEAR SELECTOR 'GATE DESIGN' IS FAULTY.
Steering, Suspension, Feb 16, 2005
THE CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN THAT THE PLASTIC COVER THAT GOES AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING A 2004 MAZDA 3, WHEN THIS OCCURRED IT INTERFERED WITH THE BRAKING WHEN NEEDED. THE CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH.*JB AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN FOUND BRAKE PEDAL HINDERED BY LOOSE COVER ON STERING COLUMN. *EH THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BENT.
Air bags, Jan 5, 2005
THE ADVANCED AIRBAG SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY DEACTIVATES THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS WHEN MY WIFE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SHE IS 5'0" AND WEIGHS 95 POUNDS. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN PART BECAUSE OF ITS SAFETY FEATURES. WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER TWICE, BOTH TIMES WE WERE TOLD IT IS SIMPLY THE WAY THE AIRBAG SENSOR IS DESIGNED, AND THAT IT IS BECAUSE HER WEIGHT IS RIGHT ON THE BORDERLINE FOR THE SENSOR. MAZDA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TOLD US THE SAME THING AND TOLD US THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE THE SENSOR ADJUSTED. MY RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT MY WIFE WOULD BE MUCH SAFER IN A CRASH WITH AIRBAG PROTECTION, DESPITE HER SMALL SIZE. AS IT IS NOW, IT IS UNPREDICTABLE WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL BE ACTIVE OR NOT AT ANY GIVEN TIME -- IT MAY GO ON WHEN GOING UP A HILL AND OFF WHEN GOING DOWN THE HILL. THIS SEEMS OBVIOUSLY UNSAFE. I BELIEVE IT IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED.*AK
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
Tires, Dec 22, 2004
MAZDA 3SP P205/50 ALL SEASON GOOD YEAR EAGLE RSA TIRES VERY POOR TIRE TRACTION ON WET & SNOW CONDITIONS TIRE TREADS SEEM TO WEAR OUT QUICKLY. *JB
Air bags, Equipment, Dec 8, 2004, crash
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND WHILE ADJUSTING THE RADIO VEHICLE WENT DOWN A 6 FOOT EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED OVER. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK *TC
Air bags, Dec 3, 2004, crash
THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH TREES. BACK AND SIDE DOORS WERE DENTED INTO THE CAR AND WINDOWS SHATTERED. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TC *SC
Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 3, 2004
MY MAZDA3 IS 4 MONTHS OLD AND I HAVE BEEN TOWED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 DAYS. BOTH TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FIRST, THEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND THEN I LOST ACCELERATION POWER AND COULD ONLY GO A FEW MILES AN HOUR TO PULL OVER. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WITHIN 2 MILES OF THE DEALERSHIP AFTER I HAD PICKED IT UP FROM "GETTING FIXED"--THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS "LOW ON GAS" (UNDER 1/4 TANK). PRIOR TO THIS I WAS HAVING HESITATIONS AT 30 MILES AN HOUR--MOST NOTICABLE WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD. THE DEALER COULD NEVER NOTICE THE PROBLEM DESPITE MY BRINGING IT FOR SERVICE 2 TIMES. ? IF THE PROBLEMS ARE ALL RELATED OR NOT.*AK
Air bags, Nov 5, 2004, crash
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *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
Power train, Oct 25, 2004
1. CLUTCH REALLY HARD WHEN PUSHED. (SAT IN OTHER MAZDA 3'S AND CLUTCH WAS EXTREMLY SOFT) *DEALER INSISTED THAT I BURNED IT AND WANTS TO CHARGE ME $800 FOR LABOR. WENT TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AND THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WAS BURNED. GOING TO THE DEALER AGAIN.*AK 2. NOISE IN THE REAR WHEN I HAVE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. MAKES SCRAPING NOISE! GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 3.WHEN ACCELERATING ON A TURN, THE FRONT OF THE CAR MAKES A BOOM BOOOM BOOM BOOM NOISE, REALLY LOUD. WENT TO A COUPLE OF FRIENDS WORKING IN SHOPS AND SAID IT'S MY STRUTS. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 4. HAD TO CHANGE TWO FRONT WINDOW REGULATORS. 5. 3RD GEAR MAKING NOISE WHEN TRYING TO ENGAGE INTO IT. GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN. 6.BACK BRAKE ROTORS GIVING A LOT OF DUST THEN THE FRONT ROTORS. NOT SUPPOSE TO BE LIKE THAT!GOING TO THE DEALER TO COMPLAIN! 7.EXHAUST LOOSE, WHEN STEPPING ON GAS IT JAGS BACK AND FORTH. GOIN TO COMPLAIN IN OTHER WORDS NOT SATISFIED WITH CAR, ESPEASIALLY SINCE IT'S BRAND NEW.. MY CAR JUST REACHED 17000 MILES, BUT ALL THE PROBLEMS HAPPENED EARLIER
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 17, 2004
FRONT ROTORS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND RIDGING AT 300 MILES. REAR ROTORS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND RIDGING, DEEP GROOVE/PIT IN RIGHT REAR AT 300 MILES.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2004
WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE A LUXURY SUV APPEARED FROM ONE SIDE, REQUIRING ME TO STOP SUDDENLY. HOWEVER, WHEN I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL (ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR), THE BRAKES SEEMED VERY HESITANT TO RESPOND, EVEN WITH ABS. THANKFULLY THE CAR DID STOP IN TIME. I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKES AND HAVE ALSO NOTICED EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST AND A FEW GROOVES IN THE DISCS/ROTORS IN THE REAR AFTER ONLY 1000 MILES.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 2, 2004
FAULTY FUEL PUMP LEADS TO SEVERAL ENGINE STALLS. *AK
Steering, Power train, Sep 2, 2004
MY CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. I HAVE A MAZDA 3 WHICH I PURCHASED IN DECEMBER. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY CAR BEGAN HESITATING ON OCCASSION WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THEN PUSHING THE GAS TO GO. I DID NOTICE AFTER THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE DID THIS THAT THE D LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD BLINKED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE LINKED BUT IT WOULD BE ODD IF THEY WERE NOT. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT FIGURE IT OUT AND HAD KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS.AT WHICH THIS TIME THEY FOUND A BERRING HAD GONE BAD MY CAR HAS 12,600 MILES AT THIS POINT. I RECIEVED MY VEHICLE BACK AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK TWO DAYS LATER FOR THE BERRING. THE BERRING WAS REPLACED AND I WAS SENT HOME AGAIN. THEN TWO WEEKS AGO WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR MY HUSBAND HAD IT IN NETTURAL AT A LIGHT AND PLACED IN MANUAMATIC THEN DIRECTLY IN DRIVE AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD SOUND THAT MADE US WONDER IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE. AGAIN WE BROUGHT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AGAIN THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE IT AND DECIDED TO REPLACE A DRIVE MECHANISM THAT DEALS WITH THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTING OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE SAME TIME THEY REPLACED A RECALL PART THE O2 SENSOR ON THE CAR. THEN TODAY SEPT 1ST I RECIEVE A CALL STATING A NOISE THE DEALER HEARD WHILE RUNNING MY CAR THROUGH THE CAR WASH IS THE FRONT AXLES GOING BAD. I AM AT A LOSS AND FRUSTRATED AND THE MAZDA HEADQUARTERS TELLS ME THEY CAN'T NOT DIAGONOSE THE DEALERSHIP IS CAPABLE AND THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME MAZDA HEADQUARTERS FOR REPAIR NEED TO ASSIST THEM. I HAVE PAID A LOT OF MONEY IN INSURANCE FOR RENTAL CARS AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THE VEHICLE.*AK