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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 31, 2004
THE REAR ROTORS OF MY 2004 MAZDA 3 HAVE HAD EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON THEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY 2003. RECENTLY I NOTICED GROOVES ON THE SURFACE OF THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *AK
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2004
REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF VEHICLE. *MR THE ENGINE AND POWER TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR AND WHILE DOING SO THERE WAS SUBSEQUENT OVER -REV OF THE ENGINE AT ANY SPEED WHILE IN 4TH GEAR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED IN 4TH GEAR. THIS WOULD BECOME A NO-CONTROL SITUATION. *SC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 26, 2004
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE CREATING MORE DUST THAN THE FRONT BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. *AK
Equipment, Jul 30, 2004
THE AIRCONDITIONER IN MY MAZDA 3 BARELY FUNCTIONS AT ALL. I HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER TWICE IN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP. THEY STATED IT WAS UP TO STANDARDS. WHEN I ASKED WHAT THE STANDARD WAS, THEY SAID IF IT COOLED AT ALL IT PASSED THE STANDARD. WITH THE AIR ON, THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY POORLY. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, YOU CAN FEEL SEVERAL STAGES OF JERKING AND POWER COMING ON AND OFF LIKE RELAYS ARE KICKING IN AND OUT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GAUGE HOW MUCH ACCELERATION YOU WILL GET WITH THE JERKING DURING ACCELERATION. I HAVE AN E-MAIL FROM MAZDA ACKNOWLEDGING A PROBLEM, BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN OR IF THERE WILL BE A SOLUTION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Tires, Jul 29, 2004
I BOUGHT A NEW MAZDA 2004 I SEDAN.THE BRAKES MAKE A RUMBLING NOISE AT ALL TIMES ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINS AND WHEN I BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY.WHEN I BRAKE THE NOISE IS WORSE. THE DEALER SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL.AFTER IT RAINS AS I WROTE IT IS MUCH WORSE.THE MACHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THE NOISE AT TIMES IS THE TIRES DUE TO THEIR SIZE 16 INCH.THE CAR ALSO WHEN I BRAKE AT A STOP GOES RIGHT OR LEFT AT TIMES.THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IF I GO DOWNHILL LEFT THEY WILL GO LEFT IF I GO DOWNHILL AND RIGHT AND BRAKE IN A RIGHT LANE THE TIRES WILL VEAR GO RIGHT. I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE THE CAR VEARING LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN I COME TO A STOP. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 23, 2004
THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST AND ROTOR WEAR ON MY REAR BRAKES. THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE ALMOST NO DUST AT ALL. THIS STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, IT ONLY HAS 2700 MILES ON IT NOW.*AK
Tires, Jun 19, 2004
ABOUT ONE MONTH AFTER MY PURCHASE OF MY BRAND NEW MAZDA3, I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURES. ALL 4 TYRES WERE 50 PSI!! 18 PSI MORE THAN THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE AND 6 PSI MORE THAN MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE PRESSURE. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE, I MADE SURE THAT THE DEVICE WAS MEASURING ACCURATELY AND ALSO ASK SOMEBODY ELSE TO CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE. YES ALL FOUR TIRES WERE 50 PSI. I DROVE THAT VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 3000 MILES MOSTLY ON HIGHWAY WITH THOSE OVER INFLATED TIRES!!! I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. EITHER THE DEALER (COOK MAZDA IN MICHIGAN) OR IN SOME OTHER MAZDA FACILITY, THE TIRES WERE OVERINFLATED PROBABLY BECAUSE OF AN UNCALIBRATED TOOL. I BELIEVE MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY MAZDA CAR WITH OVERINFLATED TIRES IN TRAFFIC. *AK
Service brakes, Air, Jun 4, 2004
BRAKES LEAVE A LOT OF DUST ALL OVER THE TIRES, RIMS, AND BODY OF CAR. THE CAR STOPS SHARPLY. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. NOT A PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Jun 2, 2004
EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE DISC/PAD WEAR. DRIVER DOOR RATTLING. *AK
Power train, May 30, 2004
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 1,500 MILES. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT VERY HARSHLY AND ABRUPTLY FROM 3RD GEAR TO 4TH GEAR. EVENTUALLY, I COULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 30 MPH FOR FEAR OF SHIFTING INTO 4TH GEAR. DEALER WAS INITIALLY UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. CAR WAS OUT OF SERVICE FOR A WEEK. *LA
Fuel system, Other, May 23, 2004
2004 MAZDA 3 HATCHBACK HAS PROBLEMS WITH STARTING. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE IT WAS TAKING UPWARDS OF 8 SECONDS AND 2 ATTEMPTS BEFORE CAR WOULD START. THE CAR HAD 643 MILES WHEN I TOOK IT IN. THE PROBLEM IS THAT IT IS STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT WOULD TAKE UP TO 4 SECONDS TO START, WHICH IS NOT NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS A VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING. ALSO THERE IS RATTLE SOMEWHERE IN THE DASH OF THE CAR.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2004
THERE IS BRAKE NOISE IN MY 2004 MODEL YEAR MAZDA 3. I HAVE JUST BOUGHT MY CAR 3 DAYS AGO. I NOTICED THE NOISE IN THE FIRST DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NORMAL BECAUSE THE CAR IS NEW AND IT WILL DISAPPEAR IN A FEW DAYS. BUT IT IS NOT DISAPPEARING ON THE CONTRARY IT IS NOW MORE NOTICEABLE. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE COLD OR HOT. IT ALWAYS MAKES THAT NOISE. VIN NUMBER OF MY CAR IS: [XXX] THANKS, [XXX]. *AK UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2004
THE BREAK PADS ARE WEARING EXCESSIVELY FAST AND THE ROTERS ARE BEGINNING TO SHOW MAJOR PITTING/GROOVING. (THE CAR IS BRAND NEW AND HAS LESS THEN 3000 MILES ON IT). *AK
Power train, May 19, 2004
VEHICLE OVERVIEW: MY 2004 MAZDA3 S SEDAN IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH ABS AND HAS 16" INCH FACTORY WHEELS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *AK PROBLEM DESCRIPTION: AFTER APROXIMATELY 1800 MILES OF DRIVING (CITY/HIGHWAY), I BEGAN TO NOTICE SLIGHT DISCOLORED BANDS ON EACH OF THE BRAKE ROTOR DISCS AT ALL FOUR WHEELS. AFTER ANOTHER 600 MILES OF DRIVING, I BEGAN TO NOTICE GROOVING IN THE PLACES WITH THE DISCOLORED BANDS. AT THIS POINT, THE GROOVE COULD BE FELT BY A FINGERTIP. THE GROOVES ARE VISIBLE ON THE OUTWARD SIDE OF EACH ROTOR. I HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF EACH ROTOR (THE SIDE THAT WOULD BE CLOSEST TO THE VECHICLE CHASSIS) TO VERIFY GROOVING ON EITHER SIDE. EFFORTS TO CORRECT: I HAVE REQUESTED THAT MY DEALERSHIP INSPECT THE BRAKES, AND THEY HAVE ALSO NOTED THE GROOVING. HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS OTHER THAN RE-SURFACING EACH ROTOR. THIS WILL PREMATURELY WEAR MY BRAKING COMPONENTS, SO I DECLINED THIS OFFER. ALSO, SIMPLY RESURFACING THE BRAKE ROTORS DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF WHAT IS CAUSING THE GROOVING IN THE FIRST PLACE. OUTCOME: BRAKING POWER AND STABILITY REMAIN UNAFFECTED IN SPITE OF THE GROOVES. HOWEVER, THE LONGEVITY OF THE BRAKES IS DIMINISHED. I AM UNCERTAIN WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE WITH CONTINUED GROOVING. THIS IS A FORESHADOWING TO PREMATURE BRAKE COMPONENT FAILURE.
Power train, May 13, 2004
I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP ON MAY 2, 2004 AND PURCHASED A 2004 MAZDA 3. IT HAD 16 MILES ON IT. DROVE FINE FOR A WEEK! ON MAY 9TH, MY FAMILIY AND I WERE DRIVING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE. WE SLOWLY MADE IT HOME IN 1ST GEAR. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED IT UP ON MONDAY MAY 10TH AND HAS SAID IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THE FULL TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED AT 250 MILES. IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR 4 DAYS NOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 12, 2004
AFTER 200 MILES I NOTICED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATING ON THE REAR WHEELS. THE REAR BRAKE ROTOR SURFACES ARE WORN EXTREMELY UNEVEN WITH MULTIPLE GROOVES. THIS TYPE AND AMOUNT OF WEAR IS WHAT I WOULD EXPECT AFTER 10,000 MILES NOT 200. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE HARDLY WORN AT ALL AND STILL EXHIBIT THE ORIGINAL MACHINED SURFACE. I FOUND THAT MAZDA HAS A NEW BRAKE PAD FOR THE REAR BRAKES (P/N: BPYK-26-48Z) BUT NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED.
Power train, May 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT BETWEEN 1, 2 AND 3 GEARS. THE OTHER GEARS SHIFTED SMOOTHLY WITHOUT PROBLEM AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE NO ABNORMAL NOISES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR AND I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT WITH GREAT EFFORT. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS FILLED WITH CONCRETE. BEING UNABLE TO SHIFT CAUSES A PROBLEM IN OPERATING THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND IS BALKING AT REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 500 MILES ON IT.
Air bags, May 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE (CRS) LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED AN AIR BAG SENSOR. *NM ONE MONTH LATER THE SENSOR FAILED AGAIN WHICH CAUSED THE CRS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A REVISED AIR BAG SENSOR. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 26, 2004
1)4 DAYS AFTER BUYING THE CAR MY FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAD 3 LARGE (1M WIDE MORE THAN .5MM DEEP) GROOVES AND THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE STARTING TO DEVELOP THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PADS MUST HAVE SOME TYPE OF HARD METALIC PIECES IN THEM THAT GRADUALLY DESTROYS THE BRAKE ROTORS. 2)IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE PADS WEAR THE ROTORS TO AN UNSAVE LIMIT. SO, I RETURNED TO MY MAZDA DEALER FOR SERVICE. JIM ELLIS MAZDA OF MARIETTA 3)THE SERVICE STAFF THERE WAS HORRIBLE AND IN THE END DID NOTHING TO FIX THE CAUSE OF THE GROOVES. THE SHAVED AN UNSPECIFIED AMOUNT OF MATERIAL OFF MY FRONT ROTORS AND INSISTED THAT IT WAS WITHIN "SPEC". THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 3 WEEKS OLD BUT NOW MY FRONT ROTORS ARE ALMOST OUT OF USEABLE ROTOR WIDTH. THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE BREAK PADS DESPITE THEIR OBVIOUS LINK TO THE PROBLEM. MY BACK PADS AND ROTORS WERE NOT CHANGED AT ALL! WHEN MY BRAKE SYSTEM GOES OUT DUE TO THEIR FAULTY PARTS THERE WILL BE HUMAN COSTS AND THAT'S WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT.*AK